Ironically, while the US has been slow to discover Guetta's music, David himself found his early inspiration in American DJs: "I love America!" he exclaims. "I was really nervous on my last American tour. You know, I discovered all this music from American DJs. I'm really close to the American culture. Going there and getting such a warm welcome from the crowd was really wonderful to me."

From parties at 50,000 feet to headline gigs at European stadiums, arenas, and massive festivals with hundreds of thousands of attendees, Guetta is used to the glamorous life. Though DJs rarely have the opportunity to play huge venues in America, David is nonetheless eager to return to the States. He's touring nationwide for two weeks in November (check the Tour Dates listings for a city near you), and will return for a month-long stint in March of '08.  While he may be used to playing stadiums, arenas, and massive festival shows in Europe, Guetta says it won't be hard to adjust to the smaller scale of the American dance scene.  "Even in Europe, I always balance my schedule with some intimate club shows," says David. "I love the energy that you get from a big stadium or something like that, but it's not the same. It's all about the rush and the ego. When you play in a club, I get more of the feeling that we are one. You can really connect with the people, and it makes a big difference."

Looks like Guetta remembers Rule #1 of the Pop Life: Never forget the little people.

TRIVIA

Guetta admits to being initially inspired to take up DJing by American artists. He names Eric Morillo, Josh Wink and Felix da Housecat as being particularly influential.

Although he's since sold the business to focus exclusively on music, Guetta used to own a restaurant in Paris. That's where he would first meet future vocalist Chris Willis!

Move over, "White Party." In keeping with the Pop star mentality, David and wife Cathy organize an ongoing series of dance events called "F*** Me I'm Famous" parties.

David's first regular gig was as a DJ at club Broad in Paris… at age 17.

Guetta's current single, "Baby When the Light," is his first single release to feature a female vocalist. Unusual in the dance world!

DAVID GUETTA ON…

… Being a Divo:

"I haven't been this successful for a long time, but I've been in the business long enough to see people come and go. Unfortunately, I know it's going to happen to me, too! So I'm just enjoying the moment, how much I like it, and giving the best I can to my fans. But you know… one day you're up, one day you're down. I don't believe anyone should think he's King of the World."

… When he first realized he was no ordinary DJ:

"I'll never forget… I played Place de la Bastille [Parisian square] and it was like 250,000 people. They were singing ‘Love Don't Let Me Go' and I almost cried. It was really crazy. When I started to travel… at the beginning, people didn't know me. But when I had ‘Love Don't Let Me Go,' and ‘The World is Mine,' and some really popular songs, far away people were singing along! I thought, ‘Wow, maybe something is happening!'"

... on a memorable gig with fellow DJ legend Danny Tenaglia:

"I closed Space Ibiza with Danny Tenaglia and he was absolutely amazing. After all these years, I was [feigning skepticism] ‘ooh, I don't know…' But he was unbelievable. He was the first DJ to play my records. In 1992 I did my first record and almost nobody knew it. He was playing it all the time and I'll never forget that. I said to him, ‘Wow, it's been a long way.' And he said, ‘I'm so glad for you.' It was really amazing."

… being surprised by the fame of the modern DJ:

"When I started, I couldn't imagine that any DJ could have this kind of life. I started this job as a hobby and a passion that I wanted to share with people. But never, ever!, did I think some DJs would be on stages one day. It was impossible to imagine that. It was even more difficult to imagine it for myself."

… on working with Ultra to release Pop Life in the states:

"It's difficult to find a label that trusts you in America, especially for dance music. [America] is one of the only places where there's so little interest in dance music. Right now in Europe, in France and England especially, radio is reformatting their programs. In France, every big network is playing like 40% dance music."