She Started DJ’Ing in Her 40s and Now She’s One of The Biggest DJs in The World

You may know her as Mad Marj... the DJ with the diamond touch.

The resident DJ of TODAY with Hoda & Jenna.

The jet-set DJ who spins for Dolce & Gabbana.

The lady in the fabulous frock who, just two weeks ago, DJ'd the FIT Annual Awards Gala honoring Serena Williams.

She’s one of the most sought-after DJs in the world.

Who played tunes from her dining room during the darkest days of the pandemic.

Here’s what you may not know about Mad Marj.

Her real name is Marjorie Gubelmann.

Most of her friends say if they were ever in trouble, she would be their first call.

She’s there for you, and always – always – tells it like it is.

ALINA CHO: You worked at your radio station in college?

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: Correct, I did. I was a DJ on college radio. I went to a school called New England College in 1987. It was in a teeny, teeny town in New Hampshire called Henniker. And I was not a good match for the town. It had a pub, a bong shop, a gas station, and a Chinese restaurant.

ALINA CHO: Okay…

MAJORIE GUBELMANN: I wore all black. I drove an Audi. I smoked Marlboro Lights. I listened to new wave music. Everyone was wearing tie dye, and I was like, “Oh my God.”

ALINA CHO: You were listening to The Cure while everybody else was listening to the Grateful Dead.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: I was fascinated with music ever since I was a little girl. So, I said, "I want to be on this radio." And they were like, "Well, you have to pass your broadcasting test." It was hard, but I did it. I passed, and they said, "Okay, you have a show." And I had a show once a week on Thursdays from 3-6. And they said, "What's your DJ name?" And I said, "Mad Marj."

ALINA CHO: It's so crazy. I had no idea.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: That's where the name came from, and I would play new wave music by myself in a basement, telling jokes to myself.

ALINA CHO: And probably, like, five people were listening, right?

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: You know what's weird? It became kind-of a thing.

ALINA CHO: Of course, it did.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: I had a really good slot, and I’d make up stupid competitions. I'd say, "If you call in…” and I'd find something in my closet and give it away. That was me, just chatting away, playing the tunes that I liked.

ALINA CHO: Let's fast forward all these years. It's 2011, and Mickey Boardman, your very close friend, and my friend as well, is having a birthday party.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: It goes back. He is planning the party.

ALINA CHO: Okay.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: And we're at Sunday lunch at my apartment, which you have been to.

ALINA CHO: Yes.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: And we are talking about all these young girl DJs who could be my child, basically.

ALINA CHO: Right.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: And I said, "Oh, you know, in college I was a DJ on the radio." And he looked at me and he goes, "Girl, you're going to DJ my birthday." I was like, "Mickey, no. I don't what I'm doing. It's been 30 years," or whatever it was.

ALINA CHO: Right.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: And he goes, "These people play on an iPad. Of course, you can do it. I'll have a man there who can help you." And I said, "Okay, well, I'll just do 15 minutes." And he's like, "I don't care. That's perfect. Put on one of your dresses." And I did.

ALINA CHO: I know you did.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: And that's how it all happened. So many friends were there, and they were like, "Wait a minute. Is Marjorie the DJ?” And I’m mouthing out, "Yeah, I don't know what I'm doing." Two hours later, I was still like, "Woo!"

ALINA CHO: I was going to say, it wasn't 15 minutes.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: No, it was the rest of my life.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: An important thing to say, and for people to know is, I was in my 40s.

ALINA CHO: Right.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: I'd come out of a very unpleasant divorce, which had left me in a financial situation which was not optimal, and I needed money.

ALINA CHO: Yeah.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: I needed money to look after my son, myself, and to live.

And the phone rang immediately following that birthday party with jobs that were very good jobs, with money that I really needed. And because I was 40 and not 20, I thought, I should really learn how to do this and not fake it.

ALINA CHO: Right.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: I called a friend's boyfriend who was running Warner Music at the time.

ALINA CHO: Yes, I know.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: I said, "Don't laugh and don't ask any questions, but I need to go to DJ school." He said, "Okay, you have to go to Scratch [DJ] Academy. It was founded by Jam Master Jay." And I told one person. I thought, if it doesn't turn into anything, no one knows.

ALINA CHO: Yeah, totally.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: Under promise, over deliver.

ALINA CHO: That’s what I always say.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: Move quietly. Then, when I graduated, I got my diploma, and my first job was for Clinique.

ALINA CHO: Oh, wow.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: I didn't say I was a DJ for a really long time.

ALINA CHO: Why not?

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: This is why. I was scared, because I really loved it, and I was getting paid. So, I was like, this can't last. This is too good to be true.

ALINA CHO: Well, they now call you, “The DJ with the diamond touch.”

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: Well, I wonder why. Because of the jewelry.

ALINA CHO: Let’s talk about that, because, let's be honest, part of your appeal is…

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: The way I look. My fancy dress.

ALINA CHO: Big jewels, fabulous dress.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: Correct.

ALINA CHO: Amazing hair and makeup.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: Always, full on.

ALINA CHO: Full on.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: That’s definitely what people want. I mean, I think if I showed up in some leggings and a t-shirt, they would be like, “Wait, wait, we want the girl with all the makeup and the jewels and the dress on.”

ALINA CHO: That’s right.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: Playing the hits.

ALINA CHO: That’s the other thing. You play the most amazing want-to-get-out-and-dance music.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: It depends on the crowd. But I also know my crowd.

ALINA CHO: Right.

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: If it’s a teenager thing, do not hire me. I am not the right fit. I am friends with your parents. Do not hire me. I will say no. It will be embarrassing for everyone.

ALINA CHO: One last question. Do you ever think to yourself, “Oh, gosh, I love it so much, I should have started this earlier”?

MARJORIE GUBELMANN: No. I never think that because I wasn't ready. I was too insecure to have started this earlier, because in my younger years, I think in my brain, I would've thought being a DJ meant you weren't accomplished. I had to go through all those peaks and valleys of my life to reach a place where I'm like, “I don't care. I want to do what makes me happy.”