Gang. He introduced drum-heavy African sounds, and used Latin beats to entice people to dance, as well as James Brown and Motown (including The Four Tops, The Supremes, and the Temptations). Cultural Significance While DJing at the Sanctuary, a New York dance club known as "the first totally uninhibited gay discothèque in America," Grasso was known for the danceability of his musical work. On nights when he was DJing, doormen were known to stop counting entrances of audience members after they got to the thousands, even though the Sanctuary had a capacity of 346 people. Being a safe haven for newly sexually liberated gay men and women, DJ Francis's music was the backdrop for recreational drug usage and promiscuity. With his long-held position at the Sanctuary, Grasso was able to develop his musical techniques and perfect his powers to mesmerize crowds. References Bibliography Goldman, Albert. Disco. New York: Hawthorne Books, 1979. External links Rek-O-Kut (NYC manuf.) turntable details - used by Grasso 1948 births 2001 deaths American DJs American people of Italian descent Club DJs DJs from New York City Radio personalities from New York City 20th-century American musicians Brooklyn Technical High School alumni Electronic dance music DJs