Nineties club icon Jon Pleased Wimmin is set to play Prototype at Wav Garden next weekend, joining fellow Cream collaborator Seb Fontaine. The DJ and producer, known for his flamboyant style and 1994 hit Passion, has seen his career surge again since returning to the scene 15 years ago after a self-imposed Noughties hiatus.
A Busy Return to the Scene
Jon, who now goes by simply Jon Pleased Wimmin, says his workload has grown steadily over the last decade. "It has just got busier and busier over the last 10 years. I think last year was my busiest since 1999," he said. He attributes the increase to more daytime gigs, allowing him to play multiple cities in one day.
Reflecting on his comeback, he admitted he never anticipated the level of success. "No! I just thought, 'Oh I'll do a few gigs, that will be fun for a year or two'," he said. "It's exactly the same way it happened for me originally. I didn't set out to do this but people just said will you come and play, so I did."
The Evolution of a DJ's Look
Jon's distinctive style began in his youth, influenced by acts like Adam Ant, Visage, Soft Cell, and David Bowie. After studying fashion at the London School of Fashion, he and friends performed in drag at Kinky Gerlinki, where they were spotted by Jenny Rampling. This led to a residency at Milk Bar's Glam night, where he learned to DJ in the club and performed in drag.
His look has evolved over the years, with a recent androgynous style featuring suit jackets and a beard. "It's more of a Prince and David Bowie look," he said.
Why the Nineties DJs Came Back
Jon believes the resurgence of 90s DJs is due to a realisation of how brilliant that era was. "The Noughties for me were a bit boring. A bit blokey," he said. He is enjoying the current wave of interest, noting that fans tell him their kids are grown up and they can go out again.
Memories of Liverpool and Cream
Jon has fond memories of playing at Cream in Liverpool, where he stayed at the Trials Hotel. He grew up loving the city, partly due to his childhood obsession with the Liver Birds and a reported childhood affection for Cilla Black. "There is just something about the Liverpudlian people. They love to party and they are really friendly," he said. "They saw something in me and I saw something in them – it was like a love affair."
Jon Pleased Wimmin plays Prototype at Wav Garden on Saturday November 7. Tickets are available via Skiddle.
