Interview: Louie Vega talks 3 Kings of House

Where, when and how did you come up with the 3 Kings of House concept?
John Davis wanted to do a night based on legends. He and I met about doing an event bringing together some of the greats. I told him I used to do a night called "Eve of Souls" with myself, David Morales and Tony Humphries - he liked the idea of that line-up for the event. Then came time for a name for the event. John Davis reached out and said what did we think about 'Three Kings of House'. We liked it, and started with a few events in NYC - actually, three events. From there once we did Miami WMC March 2012 at the National Hotel it then spread over to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and now we're coming to London with Soul Heaven and Hard Times!
 
How long have you guys been friends? Have you played together before?
David, Tony and I have been friends since the mid 80s. When I was coming up in the game Tony actually invited me to play at his legendary club Zanzibar. He's always been a mentor. It was a dream come true for me, as I always went to Zanzibar in the 80s and learned lots about music from his incredible sets. David Morales and I have been friends for just as long, and I also went to listen to David as I was starting out. His sets at Club Thriller, Lovelight and Red Zone, were DJ lessons for us all in those days! I started DJing at about the same time in NYC, and we were all rockin' NYC at the same time in those days. A great time! Tony and David also made some really great remixes as well, which I played at many of my residencies in NYC in those days.
 
Why did you decide Hard Times & Soul Heaven were the right hosts for this new concept?
Hard Times and Soul Heaven have been dedicated for years to good soul dance music, and it will be the perfect combination of crowds for the Three Kings party.  
 
Will you play back to back or individually, or is it susceptible to change?
We play separately, and end up playing together as well. We usually do 10 hours, playing an hour each over and over until we end playing together. Sometimes if one of us feels it, we will get on and it becomes a back-to-back vibe.  
 
Do you share common views on house music and DJing? Is that why you think it will work? What are those common ideals do you think?
We all believe in the natural way of DJing, nothing is planned ahead or routine. We all compliment each other and each have a different style ,but when we come together as one it takes the party to another place, a higher place.  
 
Did you expect all that time ago back in the 80s/90s that you would still be going today? What keeps you all enthused?
I have a great passion for this music and DJing, so I’m still very enthused, and having a live orchestra and producing music makes it even more interesting. At this point we are all entrepreneurs, have our own businesses such as music labels, merchandising, publishing companies, clubs/lounges/restaurants, our brands and more.  
 
Are you nostalgic when together, do you like to play the old house stuff or does new music excite you just as much?
When we started the three kings of house we did 90s themed parties and the crowd loved them. In London we will play a combination of new music sprinkled with classics.
 
What should people expect from the London event?
A great time of good music with some truly seasoned DJs. I mean, look at the history here!

Louie Vega appears with fellow Kings of House David Morales and Tony Humphries at Electric Brixton on Saturday 26th January. Tickets are available below. 

Tickets are no longer available for this event