Many a top jock has described the art of DJing as equivalent to 'juggling plates' but for Danny Rampling that analogy will shortly take on a literal sense, having recently made the announcement that 2005 will be his final as a professional DJ as he gears up to open his own restaurant.

Before he swaps 6-hour nights for 16-hour days, clubbers for diners and set times for menus Danny still has more than a few dance floors to rock with the typical upfront house music that has seen his 18-year DJ career span from the illegal Summer of Love rave days at Clapham Common to the upcoming South West Four festival there, at which he will make his last ever festival appearance.

This Saturday also looks like being equally special; Danny playing the first of his final two Ibiza dates at Pacha joined by David Morales at the Def Mix party. With his remaining number of gigs decreasing as each weekend passes, RA caught up with Danny to find out what's cooking between now and when he hangs up his headphones.

In true Rampling style Danny assures RA he'll be bowing out the end of his DJ career with a bang, a new mix CD and as you'd expect from a future restaurant-owner, a well-crafted Australian Shiraz in hand.

"I am on a mission to rock every room until my exit. This gig isn’t about nostalgia it is about my role to support new, exciting music; of which there is an abundance of at the moment."

A few weeks back you made the announcement that this year would be your final one as a professional DJ. How easy or difficult was it to come to that decision?

It has taken three years of sleepless nights to come to this decision! This change of direction is poised to be the biggest challenge of my life so far.

What do you think you will miss most - if anything - about the international DJ tour circuit?

I will miss the vibe of playing to enthusiastic audiences, especially in Japan and Asia. I certainly wont miss the long haul flights and hours away from my family. Life on the road can sometimes be lonely!

When you first began as a DJ, the electronic scene was in its infancy, thus pioneers like yourself were able to break new ground, what do you think its takes for newcomers to break new ground and essentially ‘pioneer’ new sounds and styles?

Looking at it, a lot more networking goes on these days as does high levels of business with DJ management agencies. There is a lot more opportunities for people to climb the ladder of success instantly these days. Networking is key.

This weekend you'll be playing one of your last dates in Ibiza at the Def Mix party at Pacha. What should the Pacha crowds expect from your set and also your subsequent gig there later in the summer?

A regular Rampling set full of soulful, funky, Latin energy! I am on a mission to rock every room until my exit. This gig isn’t about nostalgia it is about my role to support new, exciting music; of which there is an abundance of at the moment. Example tracks are Bob Sinclair’s ‘Love Generation’ and Martin Solveig’s ‘Everybody’.

Will your set be based on the Balearic CD from your forthcoming 3CD compilation for Defected or vice versa?

No! I am still in the process of compiling the CD. As I said my role is now to support new music. Although my set for my last date at Pacha at the DJ Awards will contain a selection of classics.

I'm guessing that all of your remaining final dates have been chosen quite carefully and selectively. When you were considering offers to play on the island on the summer what influenced you to play both your final dates at Pacha?

Pacha is my favourite club to play in Ibiza, it always has been. I love the warmth and sexiness of Pacha as a club. It is the true Balearic vibe alongside the Space terrace.

Next month you'll also be playing at the South West Four Festival. Having played at all of the major UK festivals over the course of your 18-year DJ career and given it will be your last festival appearance will you be taking a different approach to your set? Can we expect a Rampling set of classics, a typical set or will you have a few surprises up your sleeves?

There will be no surprises again it will be typical upfront sort of music. I am really looking forward to it as are many others judging by the messages posted on my forum!

"This is an exit not a retirement, there will be no time for sitting on the couch or watching TV! I am about to enter a world of 16-hour days! The last thing I will want to do with my precious leisure time is go to a club! However if one of my DJ heroes played a last farewell date I will be in attendance! Also I will never stop dancing at Pacha! You can be 60 or 18, on the dance floor there is no ageism!"

The fact that a dance music event is being staged at Clapham Common is a sign of how dance music culture has evolved and progressed over all these years. During your 18-year DJ career you've experienced all of the changes within the dance music industry first hand. What, in your experience, has had the most significant effect on dance music culture?

It certainly has developed so much! I remember the unofficial gatherings at Clapham Common during the summer of love in 1987. Hundreds of clubbers would gather on a Sunday. It was good while it lasted, that is, until the police stopped it all! So it will be a pleasure going back in more organized circumstances.

Radio has helped the development and longevity of the scene as has the advances in technology, which now mean DJs can enhance their sets with computer-based mixing kits.

You will obviously still have the electronic music buzz firmly implanted in your blood after you bow out. Can you see yourself still regularly heading to nights out? If so, who would be most likely to drag you off the couch and out to the club?

Excuse me! Off the couch! This is an exit not a retirement, there will be no time for sitting on the couch or watching TV! I am about to enter a world of 16-hour days! The last thing I will want to do with my precious leisure time is go to a club! However if one of my DJ heroes played a last farewell date I will be in attendance! Also I will never stop dancing at Pacha! You can be 60 or 18, on the dance floor there is no ageism!

Is it too early to enquire whether there will be a pair of decks/CDJs at
your new restaurant?

Yes, there will be CD decks at the restaurant; I am planning to have a musical input. The business will be good food with music making a harmonious contribution. I will never lose my love of collecting music.

Finally, given that you're known for having an appreciation of fine wines can you recommend a nice red and white?

Red - Clonakila Shiraz Hilltops, Australia
White – Jean Noel Gagnard Chassange, France
Around £30 per bottle.

Slightly more affordable but still good! Around £9.50 per bottle.
Red – Pago de los cappellanes Ribera del duero, Spain
White - Livio Felluga Sharjs, Italian

All available from Liberty wines – London.

A lot of aspiring DJs will read this interview. As an authoritive voice on the scene what top 3 pieces of advice would you like to you give them?

1. Believe in what you do 100%. Be confident but not overconfident, this is where so many people go wrong in the early stages.

2. Put all your efforts and spare time into being motivated, with true motivation and dedication you will succeed.

3. Don’t give up on the bad days. There are a lot of them at any level, especially at the beginning. I tried for several years to reach a professional level and I met set back after set back. Keep pushing all the way and make the most of your networking opportunities. Networking is as important in the DJ business as it is in any business.

Above all don’t lose sight of it, if you love something you can make a go of it!