I wanted to shine a spotlight on one of the most influential remixers and producers of the 1980s and 90s: Shep Pettibone. A visionary in the studio, Pettibone redefined what a remix could be, turning standard pop tracks into club anthems and paving the way for dance music’s evolution.
The Early Years
Born in 1959, Shep Pettibone first gained recognition as a DJ and remixer in the early 1980s, working with Salsoul Records. His early reworkings of disco and post-disco tracks showcased his ability to extend, reshape, and inject new energy into songs. It wasn’t long before major labels and artists took notice of his unique approach to remixing.
Defining the Remix Culture
By the mid-80s, Pettibone had become the go-to remixer for some of the biggest names in pop and dance music. He brought his signature sound—punchy basslines, crisp percussion, and extended dance breaks—to songs by artists such as Madonna, Janet Jackson, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, and George Michael. His remixes were more than just extended versions; they often reimagined the structure of a song, adding new instrumental elements and building up to explosive climaxes perfect for the dancefloor.
Some of his most celebrated remixes, known for their innovative production and dancefloor appeal, include:
- Madonna – “Into the Groove (You Can Dance Remix)” (1987)
- Pet Shop Boys – “West End Girls (Shep Pettibone Mastermix)” (1986)
- Janet Jackson – “Miss You Much (Shep’s House Mix)” (1989)
- George Michael – “Hard Day (Shep Pettibone Remix)” (1987)
The Madonna Connection & Chart Domination
Pettibone’s collaborations with Madonna cemented his status as a top-tier producer. He remixed multiple tracks for her, but it was their work together on 1990’s Vogue that truly defined his career. Co-writing and co-producing the song, Pettibone crafted a house-inspired masterpiece that became a global phenomenon. He later worked extensively on Madonna’s Erotica album (1992), blending deep house grooves with edgy pop and R&B.
Beyond the 90s
As the remix culture evolved and new producers emerged, Pettibone gradually stepped away from the mainstream music industry. He focused on other ventures, including opening the Paradise Nightclub in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Though no longer actively remixing, his influence remains undeniable, with modern DJs and producers still citing his work as a major inspiration.
Legacy
Shep Pettibone transformed the role of the remixer from someone who merely extended a track to a true artist who could reshape and elevate a song into something fresh and exciting. His contributions to dance and pop music continue to be celebrated, and his work remains a staple for DJs and collectors alike.
For fans of 80s and 90s remixes, Pettibone’s catalog is essential listening. His work serves as a reminder of an era when the 12” single ruled the dancefloor, and the right remix could make all the difference.
Let me know in the comments—what is your favorite Shep Pettibone remix?
My favorite tale about Shep is that when he was at Kiss in NY back in the early 80s, he challenged the Program Director asking for recognition and a pay rise because he was making such a big splash across the city and being recognised as such a pioneer….Only to get fired for upsetting the set up………….Then rehired 6 months later when the station realised what a huge mistake that was :] :] :] The rest, as they say is history……..
Thanks so so so much for keeping the spirit of Shep alive and well. For me, it would be impossible to specify a single remix, there are just too many great ones. My favorite individual thing by Shep would be the Kiss compilation I heard first in 82, that was my introduction as a body popping BMX riding graffiti writing kid. Discovering that there was more than just Electro Hip-Hop and pop music that could make me move. You dont have this by any chance do you ? To hear one of your transfers of this would make my year… Read more »
Elton John – I don´t wanna go on with you like that
D-Train – You ‘re The One For Me
Thank you for highlighting The Maestro…
Like many fans and readers here, I have many favorite Shep Pettibone remixes but some of my favorite ones are as follows: Madonna – Express Yourself (both Non-Stop Express Remix and ‘Spressin Himself Re-Remix), Vogue and Into the Groove Paul Abdul – Knocked Out Five Star – The Slightest Touch Kim Wilde – You Came Janet Jackson – Miss You Much and Escapade Miami Sound Machine – Bad Boy New Order – Bizarre Love Triangle Belinda Carlisle – I Get Weak Level 42 – Lessons in Love Nick Kamen – Each Time You Break My Heart Interestingly enough and I’ve… Read more »
Hey Chad, thanks for these favorites you mention. I’d forgotten some of them. As far as remixing for Michael Jackson, in those days manager Freddy DeMann and MJ’s other “handlers” were very difficult to reach and deal with. Let me just say they had their own agendas and influences one would need to navigate to reach him or Quincy, and most folks just gave up when they’d hear nothing from any of them. As this was before email, “gatekeepers” would answer phones and were inundated with requests from all over the world. Even the local Epic promo rep didn’t have… Read more »
I forgot to include some of Shep’s remixes for Janet Jackson. The various mixes that were commissioned for these were all good.
Rhythm Nation
Escapade
Love Will Never Do (Without You)
New Order – BIzarre Love Triangle,
Elton John – I don´t wanna go on with you like that
Information Society – Walking Away
…were always my top 3 Shep mixes..but in 2022 finally surfaced a criminally unreleased Shep Pettibone 12″ remix for the Peter Cetera unreleased single “Body Language”.. what is maybe one of his Top materpieces!!
New Order – Bizarre Love Triangle
Madonna – True Blue
Pet Shop Boys – What have I done to deserve this? (disco mix)
At Paradise, Shep’s club in Asbury Park, there’s a nice lounge area near the pool. On the wall in the lounge area are the portraits of the people mentioned in Vogue, in order. Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, etc. It’s a nice homage to the man, and the song. I think I have a photo of it somewhere.
PSB but many others including Madonna and a certain Brotherhood track.
Wang Chung Let’s Go (Shep Pettibone 12 Inch)
Level 42 Lessons In Love (Dub Mix)
Hi Paul
Favourite remixes I have a few, “and then too few too mention”. 😉 🙂 I guess for me, Whitney´s “So Emotional” is way up there.
Have a great weekend, Paul and Jeff, Martika and Brian and…and…and…all you lovely people around.
s´n´d
Impossible question II.
But I love First Choice – Let No Man Put Asunder (Shep Pettibone Vocal Version).
There are too many gems but Prince – Strange Relationship (1987 Shep Pettibone Club Mix) is my favourite one.
Impossible Question!
I Consider His Work to be Some of the Greatest Work of Dance Music and Remix History,
One thing I loved about Shep Pettibone is that he would often take a song in a new direction but you could still recognize the original song in the remix. What I hated about where remixes went in the ’90s was the original song would be reduced to a few samples with a more or less new song created around them. Shep did not work that way.He remixed some of the classic dance mixes of the late ’80s and early ’90s, including songs by Erasure, Depeche Mode, Kim Wilde, and Level 42.
My favorite is Madonna’s “Vogue” then New Order “True Faith” and the Radio mix of “Chains of Love” by Erasure.
Hi Paul. I once heard people say that music is culture, and I’m delighted to know that this blog further fuels our knowledge. I think that after creating so many works of art, they should pay tribute to him while he’s still alive, like you do every time you upload a 12″ remixed by this master. Greetings to the entire community.
As others have said, it’s so hard to choose one, but here’s some of my favourites from such an amazing talent:
Five Star – The Slightest Touch [Pettibone Touch Remix]
Janet Jackson – The Pleasure Principle [Long Vocal Mix]
Depeche Mode – Behind The Wheel [Shep Pettibone Mix]
Cathy Dennis – Just Another Dream [Shep Pettibone Mix]
Madonna – Deeper And Deeper [Shep’s 12” Mix]
Some of my favourite Shep’s mastermix :
David Essex – Rock On
Miami Sound Machine – Bad Boy
Madonna – Keep It Together / Into the Groove / Like a Prayer
Dusty Springfield – In Private
Bros – Drop the Boy
Level 42 – Something About You / Lesson in Love
Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls / It’s a Sin / Loves Comes Quickly
George Michael – Hard Day
Hi Brian
The fabulous “It´s A Sin” was remixed by
Shep never did It´s asin!!
Hey Paul NICE to see you back on form! argh I just realised I still need to answer to https://burningtheground.net/the-twelve-inch-single-a-vinyl-revolution/ SP favorites of mine the West Endgirls remix as mentioned (best remix, New Order Bizarre Love TriangleMadonna Express yourself Kim Wilde You came (and I own a copy of the Bros I owe you nothing over 18 mix (actually timing at slightly less than 18 minutes, one side only 12 inch)) For those interested, 3 years a go a compilation was released :https://superdeluxeedition.com/news/arthur-baker-presents-dance-masters-shep-pettibone-the-classic-master-mixes/(also released as a 2 LP set if I remember well) Also, if you’re lucky enough you could… Read more »
lol … how do you pick your favorite remix from the guy who literally changed the playing field and remixed the greatest artists like Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, New Order, Erasure, Prince, Madonna, Duran Duran, …. IMPOSSIBLE!!!! Although I will say that the inclusion of his remix of “HARD DAY” on George Michael’s FAITH album was a smart choice. I still think that’s one of his best remixes to date. The beats and production were so crisp. I remember being blown away the first time I heard that remix, especially because I didn’t expect it. After all, I bought… Read more »
I would be interested to know what YOUR Top 10 remixes by him are.
Wow. Just 10? Maybe I’ll submit a list of the remixes done that eclipse the common album versions that were remixed for club and radio play, and as such, were not released on CD for decades – if at all.
Level 42 – Lessons in love
NEW ORDER – True Faith
Janet Jackson Miss You Much which sounds like a Vogue demo and Pet Shop Boys What Have I Done to Deserve This
Thanks so much for this Artist Spotlight. Very few remixers and producers are as worthy (and influential) as Shep Pettibone. His indelible stamp is instantly recognizable by his signature sound that you touched upon. When I think of Shep Pettibone I immediately think of Elton John’s 12 inch releases from his Reg Strikes Back album: I Don’t Wanna Go On With You Like That and Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters (Part Two). The former was a global hit/North American smash and the latter was ironically released only in the US. Everything we love about Shep Pettibone is all over those… Read more »
Jane Child “Don’t Wanna Fall in Love”, Nia Peeples “Street of Dreams” (and most of his other remixes – hard to pick favorites)
the two names I saw a lot on labels back then was John “Tokes” Potoker and Shep – and Shep’s remixes were always killer. My first was Level 42’s “Something about you”, still magical to this day.
Surface – Falling In Love (A Shep Pettibone & Tom Moulton Mix)
I love this reflection on an amazing and highly influential career. Thank you. Also, who knew he was so cute! 🙂
Hi Paul, as an 80’s DJ and vinyl lover since I was a 5yo child, it’s a bit difficult to choose, but definitely one of my Shep’s remix is Hard Day, followed by True Faith and Bizzarre Love Triangle by New Order. Although he did a wonderful job with Madonna, I always felt that Miss Ciccone didn’t gave him always the freedom to”express himself”, therefore there are still some partially unreleased remixes, as far as I know and have surfaced on internet through the years. An absolute must for all the new generations of remixers, although the music of the… Read more »
Someday new 12” straight by Mariah carey
im a dreamer edits by the Latin rascals
room with a view remix Jeffrey Osborne
no frills love
Janet Jackson miss you much mama mix slamming r&b mix and house mix strike a posse change of heart edits by Latin rascals if you let me stay dance little sister part one and two and all the edits by Latin rascals with Shep pettibone kiss master mix
AKA : DJ Pet Shoppbone for us , Brazilian PSB Lovers ! One of my favorite remixers , highlights on Bizarre love triangle remix for New Order . Thanks
Its difficult to describe what Shep has contributed to music industry in terms of remixing specially in a time when the word “Remix” didnt exist at all. I cant choose only one remix from the many he had done. What I can say is that I feel fortuned to have some of his remixes between my personal collection.If I have to choose some of them I would say : 98.7 Kiss FM Presents Shep Pettibone’s Mastermixes & Paula Abdul – Knocked Out (Shep Pettibone Special Edit) to mention some of my favourites.
Great spotlight Paul. Shep Pettibone was a genius remixer and, as you say, the pinnacle of his career was undoubtedly co-writing and producing Vogue with Madonna.
The True Dub mix on the b-side of the True Faith remix 12″! Definition of awesomeness!!
(Plus Pet Shop Boys – Heart.)
Hands down Shep is my favorite remixer of all time. There is not enough space on this board for me to write 60+ minutes of my thoughts about his work. It is extremely hard to choose 1 or 2 favorite mixes by him but I can tell you that Miss You Much (Slammin’ R&B Mix) still to this day gives me goosebumps with that FANTASTIC intro!! Another favorite of mine is Electric Youth (The Electric Dub Gone Haywire). I’m a dub fanatic and this one is so damn good. I wished he never left the industry but maybe it’s best… Read more »
Yes the slammin rnb mix was amazing!
Great spotlight. You should def do a few more of these in the future. Salute!
Thanks for the feedback. I was testing the waters with this one, and it looks like my readers are enjoying it, so more remixer spotlights in the future. 🙂
You’re great to recognize remixers like Tom Moulton and Shep, and even influential producers like Giorgio who should follow as your younger followers may not be aware of how they helped evolve pop and dance music over the years, often changing mainstream tastes along the journey!
To name a few masterpieces Prince – Hot Thing (Shep Pettibone & Junior Vasquez Extended Remix) / Phil Collins – Hang In Long Enough (Shep Pettibone 12” Mix) / Jocelyn Brown – I Like It Like That (Shep Pettibone Special Club Mix) / Level 42 – Lessons In Love (Shep Pettibone Remix) / Narada Michael Walden – Divine Emotions (Shep Pettibone Remix)…
Good topic Paul. The Man did a lot of good work. Some of my favorites are his mixes of Laid Back- “I’m Hooked” (Shep Pettibone U.S. Dance Mix) and again Laid Back duo’s “One Life” (Shep Pettibone Velvet Spike Mix). It is good to have you back with us and among us Paul. You’re a musical treasure. Thanks for your work. Be well.
Loving what you posted here, as well as the things you post about the individual 12″, 45, and flexi posts.!!!!
Tyka Nelson – L.O.V.E.
Bianca – My Emotions
Eleanor – Adventure
Siedah Garrett – K.I.S.S.I.N.G.
Nia Peeples – Trouble
Some of the more “unknown” jams, but still classics for me!
My favourite from Shep’s legacy, is the Behind The Wheel remix song of Depeche Mode. It is a marvelous remix with great mastering and sweet deep bass on the subwoofer. When released and while listening it being inside a disco club back then, the beginning seemed quite with Camouflage – The Great Commandment (Justin Strauss Remix), so I thought someone from the two remixers copied the bass, because the two releases are having close release dates (Camouflage remix is 1988 while D.M.’s remix is 1989. That I’m still wondering until today but I love both remixes!!! Keep up the great… Read more »
I remember when I managed to save enough money to go to the record store(s) that sold remixed 12-inch singles, and I saw Pettibone’s name in a remixes’ credits, I would get a twinge of excitement because I knew those remixes would have exciting layers of grandiosity applied to a tune I already enjoyed before Pettibone did his magic to it, and they made even the most stoic individuals feel compelled to move their body to the music. George Michael’s “Hard Day,” and New Order’s “Bizarre Love Triangle” stand out in my mind as energetic floorfillers in the clubs during… Read more »
He is hands down my favorite. He worked magic and elevated songs to an entirely new level. LOVE
The work he did for Bizarre Love Triangle with the Latin Rascals remains iconic, but my favorites were the two remixes he did for Will To Power’s Fading Away. Those remixes allowed a Dj to include the song whether you were playing a house or freestyle set. The long fade outs vividly point to his genius as a remixer including the dubs.
“Behind The Wheel” Depeche Mode