I really can't remember much about it as I'd built it up so much that I was incredibly nervous! I DO remember standing up there in front of 12,000 people at the SECC in Glasgow with my hands shaking so much I couldn't mix! I think I did a lot of "chop" mixing that night! I only remember ONE tune I played! That was Love Decade and So Real, thousands of happy people with their hands in the air was something I'll NEVER forget! Anyway I can't wait to see the DVD and once again feeling that incredible Fantazia atmosphere! "   

Tom Wilson

DJ Tom Wilson RIP

It is with regret that we announce:  25th March 04

LEGENDARY DJ and Forth One presenter Tom Wilson has died of a heart attack.

Mr Wilson died yesterday afternoon at the city’s Western General Hospital following a short illness.    The father-of four's  brother, Scott Wilson, is also a Forth DJ.

Mr Wilson, who was in his 50s, had been at the forefront of the dance music scene during the last two decades.     His multi-award-winning Forth dance show Steppin’ Out ran for 15 years from the mid-1980s.   Radio Forth managing director Sandy Wilkie, admitted it was difficult to take in the loss.  

"Knowing Tom, both as a broadcaster and friend, for over 25 years, I cannot truly express my sense of loss in a few short sentences," he said.    "Tom was immensely popular and the news has shocked us all at Radio Forth. Tom was a consummate professional, quiet, unassuming, with a wicked sense of humour and often the twinkle in his eye, said more than words, just as his music did.   Tom, we will miss you."

Mr Wilson was also a highly respected music producer and released around 10 singles including the club classic Technocat which gave him a Top 40 hit in the UK and Europe. He compiled the popular Bouncing Beats dance compilations as well as lending his hand to remixing.  His name appeared on releases by chart acts such as N-Trance, TTF, Belinda Carlisle, Ice MC, Scooter, Mary Kiani and DJ Dado.

He continued to be a highly sought-after club DJ but recently named Fantazia - The Big Bang at Glasgow’s SECC in 1992 as his favourite gig of all time.    He famously headlined a controversial Hogmanay rave, Rezerection, billed as "an all night jelly party", in 1996.

And in 1992, he played a special message to Scottish death-row inmate Kenny Richey on his radio show.

After a brief spell working at several other Scottish radio stations, including Beat 106, Tom rejoined Radio Forth in 2003 as head of music for both Forth One and Forth 2 and hosted two weekly shows including the ever popular Tom Wilson’s Old Skool on a Sunday evening.

Forth 2 presenter and Evening News columnist Tonya Macari said Mr Wilson’s death had been a huge blow to everyone who knew him.

"Everyone was shocked by the news, as he was part of the fabric of Radio Forth," she said.   "He was one of those people who was always so full of life and he was genuinely liked by everyone who met him, whether it was record companies, musicians or anyone.   He was really keenly involved in the dance music scene but he loved all music and we both shared a passion for George Michael and Luther Vandross.   He was a genuinely lovely person and it is such an incredible shock."

Mr Wilson was also a massive Heart of Midlothian Football club supporter and had once said if he hadn’t been a DJ he would have loved to play for the club.

Mr Wilson’s brother Jackie also tragically died from a heart attack in November 2000.

Links to Fantazia

Tom Wilson played at the Fantazia parties:

Fantazia Big Bang
Fantazia at the Fubar

Sets from these events can be bought here