News
Cha-Cha Slide creator DJ Casper dies at 58
His song and accompanying dance became an international sensation
The creator of the popular party song the Cha-Cha Slide, DJ Casper has died at the age of 58.
The Chicago-born songwriter, whose real name is Willie Perry Jr, passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer on Monday, August 7th.
The star was known for creating the party song Cha-Cha Slide and its accompanying dance back in 2000. The song became an overnight sensation and is still played at weddings, kids parties and various other celebrations around the world.
In 2016 he revealed his cancer diagnosis of kidney and liver cancer. His wife Kim confirmed his passing to ABC on Tuesday, August 8th.
Perry regularly updated his fans on his health after revealing his diagnosis in 2016. He had been in remission for several years when his cancer returned.
Opening up earlier this year about his diagnosis, Perry told ABC 7 Chicago in May: “They diagnosed me in 2016 with two kinds of cancer, which is renal and Neuroendocrine, which is kidney and liver.”
“They went in to try to do surgery, and they found out the kidney was connected to the main artery, so they decided not to do it and just treat it,” he continued.
“If you know me, you know I’m not gonna stop. I’m going to continue to go.
“I will continue to go until I can’t go.” This would be his last televised interview.
The star explained how he originally created the dance for his nephew who worked at Bally’s Total Fitness, saying: “When I first did it, I did it as an aerobic exercise for my nephew at Bally’s.
“From there, it just took off. I have one of the biggest songs that played at all stadiums: hockey, basketball, football, baseball; they played it at the Olympics.
“It was something that everybody could do.”
Tributes have poured in to honour the songwriter on social media. On X (formerly Twitter), one fan said: “RIP legend.”
Another said: “So many good memories doing the cha cha slide. RIP DJ Casper.” A third wrote: “His legacy will live on at every bar mitzvah, quinceanera and wedding. RIP.”
A fourth added: “RIP DJ Casper, the creator of The Cha Cha Slide. That man had a hand in making many family reunions, BBQs, dances, weddings, sporting events & other events fun with his song.
“I was literally just singing it yesterday with my brother playing around. He left a legacy. “
We’re pleased to announce that Proper Manchester is rebranding as Finest City Guides.
As part of this change, the Proper Manchester brand, including its social media channels, will transition to the Finest City Guides name.
This is a rebrand of the existing platform rather than a new or unrelated business. The same team behind Proper Manchester will continue to operate Finest City Guides as we develop the platform under its new identity.
Previous name: Proper Manchester
New name: Finest City Guides
Our social channels and other brand assets will be updated to reflect the Finest City Guides name as part of this transition.
More from Finest City Guides coming soon.
News
Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’
The news we’ve all been waiting for!
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.
The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:
July
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
25th – London, Wembley Stadium
26th – London, Wembley Stadium
August
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
16th – Dublin, Croke Park
17th – Dublin, Croke Park
You can grab your tickets HERE.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
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