“There is a road, no simple highway, between the dawn and the dark of night.” (Excerpt from the lyrics of the song “ripple” by the Grateful Dead, US 1970)
Sometimes, in my daydreams, I am a sort of Elric of Melniboné, and my DJ equipment is something like the enchanted sword Stormbringer. Back to reality, I don’t think to possess shamanic powers, I am simply conscious of the importance of many deceased, in many fields of knowledge and of culture, including popular culture, and my favorite, the DJs’ world. After death, everyone leaves traces behind, and if someone is interested, the dead can have an ideal prolonging of its life, thanks to the memories and the activities of the alive. A similar concept has been expressed by Ugo Foscolo, who was an Italian poet born in the 18th century, in his best known poem “About the tombs” (in Italian “Dei sepolcri”). According to Foscolo, the main reason for you to live is doing something memorable, that future generations will be able to positively associate to you, in order to deserve the affect of the people close to you. Nevertheless, as you can easily verify, Foscolo’s ideas about death were tragic, death as a fugue from a detestable reality, and death as the definitive end of human life. On the contrary, also by reading the home page, you can know that for psychedelic culture, the originator of the disco music, death is not irreversible, and it is a new beginning, rather than the end. By the way, some religions and some philosophies, especially coming from the Eastern World, contain doctrines in the matter of rebirth, reincarnation, karma, metempsychosis, renaissance, transmigration of souls, re-embodiment, new life after death, and so on. In Christianity, Christ’s dead body can change into bread and wine, thanks to the sacrament of the Eucharist, and the sacred process is known as “transubstantiation”. Differently, only God can give new life to common dead, across the Last Judgment. In summary, the majority of mankind is hoping that death is not the very end, except for certain materialists, who are only searching for earthly paradises. Forgive me for the banality, it seems clear to me that, to the deceased, dying is equal to changing, even if no one can tell what is the content of the kind of change. Perhaps, it might be a sort of non-sacred, unknown transubstantiation. For those who survive, dying is always equal to missing someone, even if, honestly, in some cases the loss can be welcomed. This time, I’m not talking about death as a liberation, but about the fearful Mother of Sorrow, who uses to steal the life of good people, often sparing the life of the bad ones. Although I know not everyone would agree, I think that the DJs always belong to good people, because of altruism, love of harmonies, generosity, attention towards popular culture, creativity, self-discipline, respect for common unknown persons, sense of responsibility, knowledge of self-limitations and of the importance of moderation, patience, humility, capacities of organizing their own work and of communicating their ideas, ability in selecting news and data, adaptability, large technological know-how, will of learning from the others, natural skepticism towards commonplaces and political correctness, and so on.
As you know, the fearful Mother of Sorrow has stolen the lives of many DJs. By one side, I would like to believe in the existence of the path described by the Grateful Dead, also in the reported song lyrics, with other words, that there will be a new dawn for the deceased DJs. To the other side, I’m offering to them this tribute page, as a, weak, contribution to reinforce the memory of them. As usual, I propose an individual citation of dead DJs, listing their names, with a brief comment. Obviously, the list can’t be complete, and is subject to adjournment; please, send me your eventual suggestions at the e-mail max.lookdj@alice.it. The hoped rebirths are listed below.
3 African-born DJs who committed suicide – (1) DJ XGee born Oluwaseun Omogaji – a popular Nigerian DJ, who had marital problems. He died on January 2, 2019, after having ingested some insecticide. DJ XGee has left behind a wife and two children. (2) DJ Rema 254 – a reggae DJ from Kenya, who was very good at mixing records on the beat, and even appeared on TV shows. He died in the beginning of September 2021. (3) DJ Ola born Olaniyi Oladigbo – a Nigerian DJ on Capital FM, based in the UK. He was fighting with depression, because of a marriage crisis, and of some false badmouthing. He ended his own life on September 13, 2022, shortly after having dropped off his children at school.
Aaron Gerald O’Bryant, known as Kool AJ DJ – one of the earliest DJs of the hip hop scene in New York, since the late 70’s, who collaborated with Lovebug Starski and Kurtis Blow. He also became a successful music producer, especially as a member of the Marvelous Three. Sadly, Kool AJ DJ died in September 2015. The only way of knowing more about him is deepening the titles of his discography.
Adam Cronauer – an American radio DJ, active in Saigon in the years 65-66. He inspired the popular DJ character of the movie “Good Morning, Vietnam”. I remember him for social commitment in favor of local broadcasting services.
Adam Goldstein aka DJ AM – an American, hip-hop DJ and remixer, blessed by notable musical talent, even if belonging to white ethnicity. Sadly, like many other personalities of the hip-hop scene, he was cursed by drug addiction, since he was a teenager, and until the day he died. For what I have understood, enough strength to live the life came to him from fear, after surviving an attempt of suicide, when he was only 24. During the years of activity, music was his favorite companion.
Adam Neat aka DJ Modium, best known as DJ Adam Sky – an Australian DJ, and EDM producer, born in Melbourne, who became a superstar DJ, chiefly by working in Singapore. As an EDM producer, he had 3 entries into the top 10 chart, and 6 entries into the top 100 chart. He was married to Marvie Jean Tejada. However, he owned a villa on the island of Bali, where he was living, and died in May 2019, at 42. The circumstances of his death are embarrassing, so the many articles of international press, dedicated to the tragic event, are notably vague. As it seems, Adam was at the villa with a 22-year-old Russian, a female “friend”, and the both were drunk. The female friend “fell” naked from a terrace, and the falling broke some bones of her. Adam, reportedly, smashed a glass window, while “trying to rush into helping the fallen friend”. Sadly, the broken glass provoked a deep and wide cut to Adam’s arm, that resulted in massive, mortal bleeding. Adam’s dead body was discovered by the police, near the bathroom. Is there anything we can learn? I mean various things, among which: don’t get drunk while you’re naked.
Alan “Fluff” Freeman – a DJ and a personality of radios, who worked in the UK for about 40 years, although Australian-born. He was a failed opera singer, and a radio DJ in Australia from 1952 to 1957, then he moved to London, where he started to be on air for Radio Luxembourg. Alan presented late evening shows of Radio Luxembourg until the early 70s. In 1960, he began to collaborate on the BBC, where he was one of the original presenters of “Top Of The Pops”. In 1962, he released a dance single, which was a commercial failure. From 1979 to 2000, Alan was a DJ for various British radio stations, popular, and awarded various times. He was also a film actor, even in horror movies. He loved up-tempo music and celibacy, also being rumored as a bisexual. Alan was a chain smoker, and suffered from arthritis and asthma. In 2006, he died at 79, after a short illness. In my opinion, when you marry the night and the radio, you will suffer from the consequences of psychological bigamy. With other words, you will die sad and alone.
Alan Freed – an American cursed poet, known as the father of rock ‘n’ roll. He was a radio disc-jockey, whose personal legend started during the World War II, on air for the Armed Forces Radio. He reached his maximum popularity in 1956, when hosted the “Alan Freed’s Rock ’N’ Roll Dance Party” on CBS radio from New York. In the early 60s he had legal trouble, because of the charge with inciting riot. Soon after, his career was destroyed by the payola scandal. In 1965, Alan died at 43, from uremia and cirrhosis brought on by alcoholism. Each single day of his short lifetime has inspired a lot of music, and a lot of artworks. I’ve greatly appreciated the final purpose of Alan’s activity, which has been “the big beat”. In my opinion, the big beat is giving immortality to Alan Freed.
Alan McQuillan – nicknamed “Al The Gardener”, was a radio presenter and producer from Glasnevin Dublin, Ireland, for Rté Radio 1 and 2FM. He worked for the Radio station from 2000 to January 2019, and was a regular since 2014. On Rté 2FM, he had a weekend show, of dance music. Sadly, he died in January 2019, at 37, after a short illness. Everyone on the web is saying that he was beloved, funny, clever, very kind, and that he had a contagious work ethic. Unluckily, the kind of contagion can’t spread, and God knows how much Italian politicians would need to be affected.
Alessandro Maugeri – a DJ born in Sicily, who was working in Sicily, at the nightclub “Villa Garufi”, in the small village of Biancavilla. The shocking fact: in April 2018, Alessandro died from a heart attack, when he was 26, in front of his audience, while he was performing inside the DJ booth. Reportedly, he was beloved, and he didn’t suffer from any pathology.
Adam Cronauer – an American radio DJ, active in Saigon in the years 65-66. He inspired the popular DJ character of the movie “Good Morning, Vietnam”. I remember him for social commitment in favor of local broadcasting services.
Adam Goldstein aka DJ AM – an American, hip-hop DJ and remixer, blessed by notable musical talent, even if belonging to white ethnicity. Sadly, like many other personalities of the hip-hop scene, he was cursed by drug addiction, since he was a teenager, and until the day he died. For what I have understood, enough strength to live the life came to him from fear, after surviving an attempt of suicide, when he was only 24. During the years of activity, music was his favorite companion.
Adam Neat aka DJ Modium, best known as DJ Adam Sky – an Australian DJ, and EDM producer, born in Melbourne, who became a superstar DJ, chiefly by working in Singapore. As an EDM producer, he had 3 entries into the top 10 chart, and 6 entries into the top 100 chart. He was married to Marvie Jean Tejada. However, he owned a villa on the island of Bali, where he was living, and died in May 2019, at 42. The circumstances of his death are embarrassing, so the many articles of international press, dedicated to the tragic event, are notably vague. As it seems, Adam was at the villa with a 22-year-old Russian, a female “friend”, and the both were drunk. The female friend “fell” naked from a terrace, and the falling broke some bones of her. Adam, reportedly, smashed a glass window, while “trying to rush into helping the fallen friend”. Sadly, the broken glass provoked a deep and wide cut to Adam’s arm, that resulted in massive, mortal bleeding. Adam’s dead body was discovered by the police, near the bathroom. Is there anything we can learn? I mean various things, among which: don’t get drunk while you’re naked.
Alan “Fluff” Freeman – a DJ and a personality of radios, who worked in the UK for about 40 years, although Australian-born. He was a failed opera singer, and a radio DJ in Australia from 1952 to 1957, then he moved to London, where he started to be on air for Radio Luxembourg. Alan presented late evening shows of Radio Luxembourg until the early 70s. In 1960, he began to collaborate on the BBC, where he was one of the original presenters of “Top Of The Pops”. In 1962, he released a dance single, which was a commercial failure. From 1979 to 2000, Alan was a DJ for various British radio stations, popular, and awarded various times. He was also a film actor, even in horror movies. He loved up-tempo music and celibacy, also being rumored as a bisexual. Alan was a chain smoker, and suffered from arthritis and asthma. In 2006, he died at 79, after a short illness. In my opinion, when you marry the night and the radio, you will suffer from the consequences of psychological bigamy. With other words, you will die sad and alone.
Alan Freed – an American cursed poet, known as the father of rock ‘n’ roll. He was a radio disc-jockey, whose personal legend started during the World War II, on air for the Armed Forces Radio. He reached his maximum popularity in 1956, when hosted the “Alan Freed’s Rock ’N’ Roll Dance Party” on CBS radio from New York. In the early 60s he had legal trouble, because of the charge with inciting riot. Soon after, his career was destroyed by the payola scandal. In 1965, Alan died at 43, from uremia and cirrhosis brought on by alcoholism. Each single day of his short lifetime has inspired a lot of music, and a lot of artworks. I’ve greatly appreciated the final purpose of Alan’s activity, which has been “the big beat”. In my opinion, the big beat is giving immortality to Alan Freed.
Alan McQuillan – nicknamed “Al The Gardener”, was a radio presenter and producer from Glasnevin Dublin, Ireland, for Rté Radio 1 and 2FM. He worked for the Radio station from 2000 to January 2019, and was a regular since 2014. On Rté 2FM, he had a weekend show, of dance music. Sadly, he died in January 2019, at 37, after a short illness. Everyone on the web is saying that he was beloved, funny, clever, very kind, and that he had a contagious work ethic. Unluckily, the kind of contagion can’t spread, and God knows how much Italian politicians would need to be affected.
Alessandro Maugeri – a DJ born in Sicily, who was working in Sicily, at the nightclub “Villa Garufi”, in the small village of Biancavilla. The shocking fact: in April 2018, Alessandro died from a heart attack, when he was 26, in front of his audience, while he was performing inside the DJ booth. Reportedly, he was beloved, and he didn’t suffer from any pathology.
Alessio Atzori aka DJ Stabber – a DJ of nightclubs from Cagliari Italy, active in the sector of parties and raves. Alessio drowned at sea near Oristano in the year 2017, aged 42, during a heroic attempt to help a girl in difficulties. Luckily, the girl is ok. As it happens many times, I feel the duty to criticize Italian press, for the habit of doing moral sermons to readers, in this case the young frequenters of raves in the island of Sardinia, despite of the fact that readers are paying to obtain an information service, and not an absolution of sins.
Alessio Massessi – a DJ of nightclubs, an entrepreneur, and an organizer of social events from Sardinia region, Italy. A rare example of good man good at businesses, he was very popular, especially as the guru of the Carnival celebrations for children, in the town of Serrabus. Unluckily, Alessio died in November 2021, aged 38, in a frontal collision between two motor vehicles.
Alex Murimi Nderi, known as DJ Lithium – a “spin master” of Afro-house and EDM from Nairobi Kenya, who became a popular DJ of Capital FM Nairobi, a record producer, and an entrepreneur. He was talented, creative, and kind. According to local press, Alex had a “right-wing” sense of humor. There are some circumstances that led him to suicide, and that have not been reported. In effect, alas, Alex committed suicide on January 19, 2022, by taking rat poison. He was 34.
Alex Ndawula – a radio DJ born in New York from Ugandan parents, who went back to his roots after the death of the father, when Alex was only 8. Alex studied to become an architect, but his walkman was inseparable, even at school, and the fact caused him some problems with the teachers. In 1993, he became a pioneer radio DJ of Uganda, on FM Radio Kampala. Successively, he went to Sanyu FM, and to Capital FM, where he remained for 20 years. The radio career lasted from 1993 to 2017, and was based on Alex’s concept of “Dance Force”. He had a peculiar and unpredictable way of proposing American hip hop and R’N’B, that gained him a large popularity, even among colleagues. Strangely, Alex’s show was at breakfast time, from 6 am to 10 am. Sadly, in June 2022 he was hospitalized, and died at the intensive care unit of Nsambya Hospital, aged 59. The cause of the death is secret, because of the will of his family.
Alex Peruzzu – a polyhedral entertainer born on the isle of Sardinia, who lived in Venegono Inferiore, near the Italian town of Varese. He was a nightclub DJ, a radio DJ in Italy and in Switzerland, and an expert of sports on local media. Alex suddenly died in May 2019, from “an illness that forced physicians to an emergency surgery intervention”, I can’t tell more. He was a beloved man, aged 59.
Alexsandre Almeida – a DJ at nightclubs and pubs in Palermo, reportedly born in Cape Verde and living in the Mauritius Islands until the age of ten. It sounds strange, but I was not able to verify the biography. He died at a hospital in Palermo, in 2019, at 30 years of age, because of a “pathology that, before the death, caused him a comatose state”. I can’t tell anything more, even if I’ve read more than a dozen articles. Of course, RIP. In this case, I want to underline the scarce professionalism of certain journalists, who have felt the need to give a politically correct teaching to their readers, whose content seems a little bit absurd. Alexsandre was an integrated migrant, that’s ok. However, on the occasion of his death, local press have made the following affirmation: as a DJ, even if Alexsandre didn’t talk over the music, his performances were able to create unity among people, and more of racial integration. Sorry, I can’t imagine how. In my opinion, when you describe a person as a member of an endangered species, because of the color of the skin, you make a racial discrimination, wrong even if well-intentioned.
Alfie Davison – a Northern Soul, singer and songwriter, who started his musical career in NYC, as a disco DJ at the Adonis nightclub. According to some authors, Alfie, and not Francis Grasso, was the first DJ to mix records on the beat. He is best known as the songwriter of “who’s gonna love me” by the Imperials, one of the first songs to be released as a 12” maxi-single, in the year 1978. I find interesting the fact that Alfie was a sort of “missing link” between two musical genres, apparently very different, disco music and Northern Soul.
Alexsandre Almeida – a DJ at nightclubs and pubs in Palermo, reportedly born in Cape Verde and living in the Mauritius Islands until the age of ten. It sounds strange, but I was not able to verify the biography. He died at a hospital in Palermo, in 2019, at 30 years of age, because of a “pathology that, before the death, caused him a comatose state”. I can’t tell anything more, even if I’ve read more than a dozen articles. Of course, RIP. In this case, I want to underline the scarce professionalism of certain journalists, who have felt the need to give a politically correct teaching to their readers, whose content seems a little bit absurd. Alexsandre was an integrated migrant, that’s ok. However, on the occasion of his death, local press have made the following affirmation: as a DJ, even if Alexsandre didn’t talk over the music, his performances were able to create unity among people, and more of racial integration. Sorry, I can’t imagine how. In my opinion, when you describe a person as a member of an endangered species, because of the color of the skin, you make a racial discrimination, wrong even if well-intentioned.
Alfie Davison – a Northern Soul, singer and songwriter, who started his musical career in NYC, as a disco DJ at the Adonis nightclub. According to some authors, Alfie, and not Francis Grasso, was the first DJ to mix records on the beat. He is best known as the songwriter of “who’s gonna love me” by the Imperials, one of the first songs to be released as a 12” maxi-single, in the year 1978. I find interesting the fact that Alfie was a sort of “missing link” between two musical genres, apparently very different, disco music and Northern Soul.
Alfonso Russo – a, rather rare in Italy, DJ of private events, especially convivial and sporty, from Naples, since the year 2013. He was successful, also due to a large personal culture. Sadly, Alfonso died in 2018, from a “sudden illness”, at the age of 58. Given that the global pandemic has changed almost everything in the field of nightclubs, I think that Alfonso can be a valid model for aspiring DJs.
Allan the Cantakerous Mugisha, born Mugisa Allan – popular as a very humorous radio presenter on 91.3 Radio Capital FM, in Kampala, Uganda, he was the son of a veteran columnist, Dr. Tumusjime Rushedge (aka Tom Rush). Allan was almost a food scientist, without the degree because he started the radio career in 1996. Sadly, at the peak of popularity, he became an alcoholic. Moreover, in 2005 Allan lost his unique son to kidney failure. In June 2007, he died from lung failure, at the age of 39. His father, Mr. Tom Rush, died in the year after, 2008.
Andrea Calò aka DJ Andrea C. – an Italian nightclub DJ, who died at 27, like the popular musicians belonging to the so called “Club 27”. He worked at the “Rio Bò”, a discotheque in a fantastic place at sea, in Southern Italy, named “Lido Di Conchiglie”. His death was strange and unmotivated, according to anyone who has known him. Andrea was found dead, hanged on a tree, no one can give an explanation to the fact.
Andrea Calò aka DJ Andrea C. – an Italian nightclub DJ, who died at 27, like the popular musicians belonging to the so called “Club 27”. He worked at the “Rio Bò”, a discotheque in a fantastic place at sea, in Southern Italy, named “Lido Di Conchiglie”. His death was strange and unmotivated, according to anyone who has known him. Andrea was found dead, hanged on a tree, no one can give an explanation to the fact.
Andrea Meazzo – a popular DJ of nightclubs and of local radio stations from Rovereto Italy. In the final period of his life, he was an appreciated voice of “Radio 80 Forever Young”. Although young in spirit, Andrea died in the year 2020, because of “a severe illness”, aged 50. Andrea Meazzo was especially known as a brother-like friend to Antonio Megalizzi, a journalist of “Europhonica Web Radio”, who was killed in the 2018 Strasbourg shooting, by the suspected Islamic extremist Chérif Chekatt. While Italian official mass media are attributing the assault to the Islamic State, I humbly notice that Mr. Chekatt, shot dead by the police, was a “local guy”, and that no relationship with the Islamic State has been proven.
Andrea Mi – a creative born near Lecce Italy, who studied and lived in Florence. He was an architect, a teacher, a journalist, a DJ, and a radio animator, especially on the radio station named “Controradio”. “Mi”, the second name of Andrea, was true and not invented, and can be translated into English as “E”, one of the twelve notes of the main musical scale. Well, they say that, because of the name “Mi”, he was “predestined” to be a part of the musical sector. Two of his most popular radio shows: “Mi myself & I”, and “Mixology”. For sure, he had a notable sense of humor. Sadly, Andrea died in April 2020 at the age of 49, after a long battle with a serious pathology.
Andrei Ivanov aka DJ Triplex – a legendary Russian DJ, who gained his popularity in the early 90’s, on “Maximum” radio Russia, and was also a star of nightclubs. Andrei drowned in February 2020, hit by a freak wave at Bondi beach, near Sydney Australia. He was 47, and has left behind a wife. According to everyone on the web, Andrei was the nicest and kindest human being in the world.
Andrew Weatherhall – a British DJ and music producer, born in Windsor, who died in February 2020, from pulmonary embolism, at 56. As a DJ, his name is bound to the Shoom nightclub in London, where he became one of the main responsible of spreading the acid house musical genre, all over Europe. According to experts, he influenced notorious musicians, such as the Chemical Brothers and the Daft Punk. As a music producer, he co-produced the 1991 album of the Primal Scream, and many other popular artists. Tim Burgess, the singer of the Charlatans, has remembered Andrew, by calling him “the cosmic traveler”. According to what I’ve found, Andrew’s death was swift and peaceful. Perhaps, now he’s bringing peace all over the stellar spheres.
Ange Didier Huon aka DJ Arafat – an Ivorian DJ, very popular in the Francophone Africa, who was known as “the king of cut and run (coupé-decalé)”, a typical dance of Ivory Coast. DJ Arafat had more than 1,5 million followers on the web. He was a Muslim, and a controversial personality. He died in August 2019, as a consequence of a motorbike accident in his native country, at 33. DJ Arafat’s tomb has been desecrated by his fans, who wanted to open the coffin. Rest in peace, Mr. Ange Didier Huon, even if I can’t appreciate Yasser Arafat, the father of modern terrorism.
Andrew Weatherhall – a British DJ and music producer, born in Windsor, who died in February 2020, from pulmonary embolism, at 56. As a DJ, his name is bound to the Shoom nightclub in London, where he became one of the main responsible of spreading the acid house musical genre, all over Europe. According to experts, he influenced notorious musicians, such as the Chemical Brothers and the Daft Punk. As a music producer, he co-produced the 1991 album of the Primal Scream, and many other popular artists. Tim Burgess, the singer of the Charlatans, has remembered Andrew, by calling him “the cosmic traveler”. According to what I’ve found, Andrew’s death was swift and peaceful. Perhaps, now he’s bringing peace all over the stellar spheres.
Ange Didier Huon aka DJ Arafat – an Ivorian DJ, very popular in the Francophone Africa, who was known as “the king of cut and run (coupé-decalé)”, a typical dance of Ivory Coast. DJ Arafat had more than 1,5 million followers on the web. He was a Muslim, and a controversial personality. He died in August 2019, as a consequence of a motorbike accident in his native country, at 33. DJ Arafat’s tomb has been desecrated by his fans, who wanted to open the coffin. Rest in peace, Mr. Ange Didier Huon, even if I can’t appreciate Yasser Arafat, the father of modern terrorism.
Angelo Leuzzi – a DJ and entrepreneur of nightclubs in Sao Paulo Brazil. In the 90’s, he founded the discotheque named “Rose Bom Bom”. In the 2000’s, he and his wife opened the “Amore Bar”. In 2019, a year before the death, he created a new discotheque, dedicated to the many persons who feel a nostalgia for the house music of the 90’s. Sadly, in the year 2020, Angelo died from a severe heart attack, aged 64. He has left behind a wife and a son. It’s another serious wound to the nightlife at clubs, today really endangered.
Anita Sarko – a graduated from the Michigan State University, then a legendary female DJ, and later a journalist, who wrote articles also for “Playboy”. A brief curriculum of Anita as a DJ: around 1979, she was working at the Mudd Club, a famous punk club of New York; around 1983, she was a DJ at the Danceteria, another important venue of the Big Apple; around 1985, she was hired by Steve Rubell, one of the managers of the Studio 54, as the resident DJ of the Palladium, a successful place in New York. Honestly, my information is scarce. However, I can remember her for being an eclectic DJ, and for her need of the presence of a lot of people. In effect when she was 68, after the death of her husband, she remained completely alone, and committed suicide.
Anita Sarko – a graduated from the Michigan State University, then a legendary female DJ, and later a journalist, who wrote articles also for “Playboy”. A brief curriculum of Anita as a DJ: around 1979, she was working at the Mudd Club, a famous punk club of New York; around 1983, she was a DJ at the Danceteria, another important venue of the Big Apple; around 1985, she was hired by Steve Rubell, one of the managers of the Studio 54, as the resident DJ of the Palladium, a successful place in New York. Honestly, my information is scarce. However, I can remember her for being an eclectic DJ, and for her need of the presence of a lot of people. In effect when she was 68, after the death of her husband, she remained completely alone, and committed suicide.
Anne Avril “Annie” Nightingale – the earliest female radio DJ on BBC Radio 1, since the year 1970. She was born in Osterley, Middlesex, England, and became, for over 50 years, a world-class radio and TV DJ, and a valid journalist. They say that Annie was uniquely gifted. She was a faithful believer in the magic of rock ‘n’ roll, and a pioneer of acid house. Annie was married two times, both the marriages ended, and had two children. She died at her home in London, on January 11, 2024, after a short illness, at the age of 83. I think that she deserves a tribute page, but, sorry, I don’t know exactly when I will write it.
Annop Poonsripattana – a Thai DJ of many nightclubs in Bangkok, and a celebrity of TV shows, in brief, a very popular person. Sadly, Annop died in September 2020, aged 33, while driving his car. He had a high speed crash on the Ratchada Road curve, nicknamed “Curve of 100 Deaths”, slippery because of weather conditions. The police found the car’s speedometer frozen at 200 km/h! Well, it is true that nightclub DJs should be accurate and fast, but not necessarily as fast as Lewis Hamilton. Moreover, I’m not sure that, in the reported driving conditions, Lewis Hamilton would have enough of ability to save his own life.
Anomaly, born Jason William Heinrichs – a native of Canada, who graduated in 1994 from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, and earned two bachelor degrees in Film Scoring and Music Synthesis Production. He started the music career in the year 1996, by working as a DJ in Minneapolis, and in Richfield, Minnesota, where he found a home. Anomaly was a poly-instrumentalist, and soon became a professional musician, and a record producer. The curriculum is incredible, a self-made man in the music industry, with excellent preparation and competence. So, there are still places in the world where you can emerge exclusively thanks to your abilities. Alas, Anomaly died in his sleep at home, on February 7, 2022, aged 51.
Anthony Boston aka DJ Miss Tony – a queer, Christian, personality of “Mobtown” Baltimore, and a regular hip-hop DJ on 92Q R&B station, in drag every day. DJ Miss Tony was especially known and popular for the catchphrase: “How you wanna carry it?”. Since the 80’s, he has been animating block parties, and nightclubs in the Baltimore area. Miss Tony died in 2003, aged 36, from complications tied to kidney failure. In his memory, I think I can repeat to my male readers: “Wash your sweaty balls, do it for Miss Tony”.
Anthony Dragotta aka DJ Tony Dee – a nightclub DJ since the 70’s, from Buffalo (NY), whose name is bound to the venue named “Frisco’s Disco”. In the 60’s and the 70’s, he also was the owner and the editor of two magazines, “Teen News” and “Go Disco”. Some of his friends remember Tony Dee dancing with Grace Jones, at the legendary 12 West nightclub, and performing as a DJ at the Billboard Disco Convention. Anthony is dead in the year 2010, I haven’t found the causes. Differently from what happens in the USA, especially thanks to the web, in my country many of the names of the protagonists of the disco nights are definitely forgotten.
Anthony Torres aka Bubbles – a LGBTI trans activist, and a cross-dressing DJ from the Tenderloin District of San Francisco US, where he was very popular. He was a lover of house music and dancing, and his catch phrase was “shut up and dance!”. I beg your pardon, I’ve found some press articles about his death, and unfortunately the articles are filled with poetry and gender philosophy, although scarce and contradictory as for the journalistic content, similarly to what commonly happens in my native country. They say he was the 17th “transgender persons” killed in the USA in the year 2017. Bubbles was killed by gunshot wounds, some say “a single gunshot”, other say “5 gunshots”. Which was his age? Some say 30, others say 44, honestly I prefer the second theory. In my opinion, a transgender person, or a drag queen, is simply a person. When you unconsciously consider similar persons as scary monsters, you can’t write something of equilibrate, and of moderate about them.
Antonio Cerracchio – a creative man from Livorno Italy, who was working as a DJ, as an organizer of musical events, and as a creator of advertisement spots. Reportedly, he has been a very popular person, and a master of irony. Sadly, Antonio died in 2018, when he was 69 years old. He has left behind a wife, a son, and a life lesson. The life lesson is destined to those who want to be a professional DJ. Antonio’s life lesson: music is important, but it’s not enough to earn the money you need.
Antonio Cerracchio – a creative man from Livorno Italy, who was working as a DJ, as an organizer of musical events, and as a creator of advertisement spots. Reportedly, he has been a very popular person, and a master of irony. Sadly, Antonio died in 2018, when he was 69 years old. He has left behind a wife, a son, and a life lesson. The life lesson is destined to those who want to be a professional DJ. Antonio’s life lesson: music is important, but it’s not enough to earn the money you need.
Antonio De Marco – be warned, I’m talking about the DJ from Roseto degli Abruzzi, dead at 54, and not about the killer from Lecce, alive and aged 22. The DJ was a good man, with a lovely behavior, very popular in Abruzzo region. DJ Antonio started the career at the Angelo Azzurro nightclub, as a light-jockey, in the early 80’s. Successively, he become a nightclub DJ at the Vanadium, a factotum at the regional TV named Antenna 1, and a DJ specialized in beach parties at local seaside. Sadly, DJ Antonio died from COVID-19 on January 21, 2022. He is the twenty-eightieth DJ dead from COVID-19, and remembered in this page. Local press published appreciable articles about DJ Antonio, except for the usual, horrible, exploitation of his name, as an example of “no-vax”. Well, is it true that COVID-19 vaccines are saving lives? Shortly, two homozygous twins from my region, I respect their privacy, aged 71 and in a good state of health, made opposite choices: one of the two was fully vaccinated, and the other was a convinced no-vax. What happened to them? The both are dead from COVID-19, in January 2022. Not a joke, pure truth.
Antonino Puleo aka DJ Tony Puleo – a Sicilian disco DJ for private parties, and also an entrepreneur, together with his father, in the field of public address systems, sounding and light systems. The enterprise also offers services, in the matter of organizing public events and manifestations. Tony was very popular. He died in a car accident, in 2017 at 34, even if the circumstances resulted not clear, and his father is unsatisfied with the investigations, done by the police. The tires of Tony’s car left evident traces on the road, as if Tony was forced to avoid a crash with another car, coming quickly from a house, or a private road, by making a desperate attempt to stop. During the cited attempt, Tony went off the road, and had a fatal impact with a wall. Successively, the wall has been demolished, and rebuilt. Why? Not because of damages, provoked by Tony’s car. My comment: Sicily and, more in general, the entire Southern Italy need many persons such as Tony. For this reason, Tony’s death was a very sad event, and I express my solidarity with Tony’ father.
Antonino Puleo aka DJ Tony Puleo – a Sicilian disco DJ for private parties, and also an entrepreneur, together with his father, in the field of public address systems, sounding and light systems. The enterprise also offers services, in the matter of organizing public events and manifestations. Tony was very popular. He died in a car accident, in 2017 at 34, even if the circumstances resulted not clear, and his father is unsatisfied with the investigations, done by the police. The tires of Tony’s car left evident traces on the road, as if Tony was forced to avoid a crash with another car, coming quickly from a house, or a private road, by making a desperate attempt to stop. During the cited attempt, Tony went off the road, and had a fatal impact with a wall. Successively, the wall has been demolished, and rebuilt. Why? Not because of damages, provoked by Tony’s car. My comment: Sicily and, more in general, the entire Southern Italy need many persons such as Tony. For this reason, Tony’s death was a very sad event, and I express my solidarity with Tony’ father.
Arif “Supa Coop” Cooper – a popular personality of the dancehall scene in Jamaica, in quality of radio and nightclubs DJ, and of musician and music producer. He was the son of the founding member of the band named the Third World, one of my favorites in the field of reggae-disco. Arif was active from 1991 to day of the death. He died suddenly and unexpectedly on March 5, 2023, while performing at the Police Officers Club in St. Andrew. Excuse me, I haven’t found more news about Arif’s biography.
Art Laboe, true name Arthur Egnoian – an Armenian-American born in Salt Lake City Utah, who was a pioneer radio DJ in California, starting from the year 1943. The radio career lasted until a few days before the death. Art Laboe became also a songwriter, a record producer, and a radio station owner. He is remembered for having created the expression “oldies but goodies”, and for a relevant political contribution, in the “desegregation of Los Angeles”. Art Laboe died on October 10, 2022, at the age of 97.
Ashley Massaro – a woman from NYC with a normal body size, who became a star of WWE for 3 years, and was the winner of “2005 Raw Diva Search”. After that, she became a cover model on Playboy Magazine in 2007, a television personality, and a radio DJ at Long Island radio station 94.3, “The Shack”. She also was the mother of a girl. Sadly, Ashley suffered for many years from migraine headaches, and severe short-term memory losses, as a consequence of repetitive head injuries. Understandingly, she also suffered from depression, and battled against addiction. One bad day in 2019, without any previous behavioral signal, she was found dead at home by the authorities, after she had missed a radio show. She was aged 39. The cause of the death is “non-criminal”, I can’t tell more. Well, you might have the mentality of a fighter, but you need to know that fights are dangerous, even to yourself.
Babatunde Bello aka DJ Babus – a popular DJ in Lagos Nigeria, who graduated in the USA in the year 2010. He was an entertainer at hotels and bars, and the founder of a company of entertainment. Sadly, he died on Friday January 29, 2021, from complications bound to COVID-19, after three terrible weeks of painful battle against the virus.
Barry Lederer – an American pioneer disco DJ, a musical journalist for the Billboard Magazine, and an entrepreneur in the field of projecting, and installing hi-fi audio systems in nightclubs. In brief, a polyhedral personality, very influential for 3 decades in the NYC nightlife. Today, doing three or more job activities, at the same time, is something frequent only among female international DJs.
Barry Lederer – an American pioneer disco DJ, a musical journalist for the Billboard Magazine, and an entrepreneur in the field of projecting, and installing hi-fi audio systems in nightclubs. In brief, a polyhedral personality, very influential for 3 decades in the NYC nightlife. Today, doing three or more job activities, at the same time, is something frequent only among female international DJs.
Belle Star – a beloved DJ of the Goth rock scene in London, remembered as the resident DJ of the Electric Ballroom, and as a drummer in several bands. Despite of the discussable personal appearance, Belle Star obtained a degree from London Guildhall University, in communications and psychology. He died in his sleep on April 1, 2023, the cause has not been revealed. I haven’t found any other information about Belle Star’s biography.
Bill Mack aka the Midnight Cowboy – a man who has made the history of country music, a radio DJ and a songwriter from Shamrock TX, who was on air from 1969 to 2011. He was a brother to anyone, and his music was the best companion of overnight truckers. As a songwriter, he was many times awarded, and a Grammy winner. He wrote various gold record songs, for artists such as LeAnn Rimes, Carl Smith, George Strait, Dean Martin, and Willie Nelson. Sadly, he died on July 31, 2020, at 91, from COVID-19. For what I’ve found, the Midnight Cowboy is the tenth DJ killed by the pandemic (adjournment June 16, 2021).
Biz Markie, born Marcel Theo Hall – a musician born in Harlem, who was at first a nightclub DJ in NYC, then a rapper, a singer and songwriter, and a record producer. He was nicknamed the “Clown Prince of Hip-Hop”. His models were DJ Grand Wizard Theodore, and Busy Bee. In late 80’s, Biz Markie became a successful record producer, with a global notoriety. In 2020, he hosted a radio show on channel 43, every weekday, of 3 hours. Biz Markie is dead on July 16, 2021, aged 57. The cause of the death has not been revealed, although it’s known that he suffered from type 2 diabetes. I humbly observe that suffering from type 2 diabetes is the condition at the highest risk for COVID-19, and that they are totally crazy, and badly informed, those who say that dying from COVID-19 is a crying shame.
Bob Kingsley – a radio personality in the field of country music, born in San Francisco and active for a long time in the Los Angeles area. Bob became a lover of radio when he was a schoolboy, and suffered from polio. He started the radio career in 1959, at the Armed Forces Radio Service station in Keflavik, Iceland. As a radio professional, Bob was a disc-jockey, a program director at KLAC AM, a producer, a distributor, and a winner of prestigious awards. In the year 2016, he was elected to the National Radio Hall of Fame, that includes only 4 country music DJs. Bob died in the year 2019, aged 80, from bladder cancer.
Bob “Rupindar” Singh Thind – a DJ and businessman in Baxenden UK, and former student at Hollins Technology College, who sung and animated at pubs, weddings, and local events. His favorite music was 80’s pop, soul, and R’N’B. Sadly, Bob died on May 28, 2023, suddenly, unexpectedly, and peacefully at home. He was 53, and has left behind a wife and two sons, who are trying to consolidate the memory of his “big heart”, with various initiatives. Well, I miss a singing Singh.
Bobby Bennett – a radio DJ born in Pittsburgh, a popular black voice, on air for 4 decades in the Washington area, since the year 1968. He was a soul music DJ, able to entertain the audience with peculiar riffs, invented by him, containing alliterations and rhymes. Bobby gave a notable contribution in containing the racial tensions of the late 60’s. Sadly, he died in September 2015, at the age of 72, from respiratory failure.
Bobby “DJ” Guttadaro – an American pioneer disco DJ, and an excellent remixer. Beside his musical knowledge, he was also a professional pharmacist. You see, the earliest NYC discotheques offered many qualified services to the audience.
Bobby “DJ” Guttadaro – an American pioneer disco DJ, and an excellent remixer. Beside his musical knowledge, he was also a professional pharmacist. You see, the earliest NYC discotheques offered many qualified services to the audience.
Boyd Jarvis – a producer, a remixer, and a session musician for many important DJs, born in NYC. In the early 80’s, he started to record reel to reel tapes at home, by employing synthesizers and a drum machine. So, he was an anticipator of some praxes of the house music of Chicago. Boyd collaborated with DJ Timmy Regisford, and DJ Merlin Bobb on WBLS FM New York. He also collaborated with musicians such as Herbie Hancock, C + C Music Factory, and Colonel Abrams. He was a session musician for superstar DJs, such as John Jellybean Benitez, Little Louie Vega, and François Kevorkian. Boyd died in the year 2018, aged 59, I haven’t found the cause of the death. Boyd’s lifetime has been a demonstration that home taping is not always killing music.
Breno Nunes De Jesus – a DJ in Saint Anthony of Barra, Portugal. He was a competent and required professional, working for private parties, and private events. Sadly, DJ Breno died in 2018, at 35, from a motorbike accident. I think that the field of activity of DJ Breno represents a large part of the future of the profession.
Breno Nunes De Jesus – a DJ in Saint Anthony of Barra, Portugal. He was a competent and required professional, working for private parties, and private events. Sadly, DJ Breno died in 2018, at 35, from a motorbike accident. I think that the field of activity of DJ Breno represents a large part of the future of the profession.
Brian Matthew – an English radio DJ, on air from 1948 to 2017, who worked for the BBC for 63 years, until the year of the death. His most popular shows were named “Saturday Club” and “Easy Beat”. Brian was devoted to pop and rock music of the 60’s, and appreciated particularly live corner versions. He received the “Sony Gold Award” in 2008. Brian died in 2017 from pneumonia, aged 88, and has left behind his wife and their son. A curiosity: Brian’s death was mistakenly reported by press, 4 days before the true event.
Bruce Hathaway – a prominent radio personality in San Antonio, the DJ whose style was the closest to Wolfman Jack. He became a legend of teen music, notably politically incorrect, on KTSA in the 60’s, 70’s, and early 80’s. Successively, he hosted shows on KSMG-FM, and KONO AM and FM. In January 2017, Bruce died from a heart attack. Another crucial voice of the golden age of Top 40 Radio is gone forever.
Bubba G. Scotch – a passionate radio DJ from Salinas US, working for many years in Californian radios, such as KUBO 88.7FM and KHDC 90.9FM (a bilingual station), even as a Program Director. He was influenced by Filipino, Hawaiian, and Spanish cultures, and maintained a tendency towards eclectic musical selections. Sadly, Bubba died in 2014 at the Stanford Hospital, aged 52. He has left behind a wife and three daughters. Also due to the pandemic, I fear that some Scotch is missing to many people.
Buck Matyila born Baxolise Matyila – a South African radio DJ, for more than 11 years on TruFM, where he was an expert of hip hop. He also was an energetic influencer. In the year 2019, Buck was recovered for about one month at Bhisho Hospital, a provincial hospital in Eastern Cape. He was unhappy about the service, and talked about “incompetence”. Sadly, at the end of the month of December 2019, he was forced to go back again to the same hospital, where he died at the age of 34, after a “short illness”. Well, I’ve found on the web a reportage of 2012, published from South Africa, and titled “Hospitals of No Return”, in which the Bhisho Hospital has been mentioned for two times. I hope that local authorities would like to deepen the described topic.
Carlo DeBlasi (nickname), real name Carlo Oreggia – for a long time, a DJ and speaker of local radios in the vicinity of Sanremo, the place of the namesake festival of Italian music, known all over the world. Carlo was an expert of Italian music, and a fan of Mina. He left the activity of radio DJ in the first decade of the 2000’s. Carlo died in the year 2018, aged 55, from an illness, perhaps of the cardiac kind. “Oreggia”, the true second name of Carlo, is a beautiful word in an ancient dialect, proper of Lombardia region, meaning “ear”. So, I can’t understand the reasons of Carlo’s preference for the nickname “DeBlasi”, rather anonymous and insignificant.
Carlo Figini, aka Mr. Big DJ – a nightclub DJ, an organizer of public events, and a newsagent from Lecco Italy, locally very popular. Unfortunately, in the year 2013 he fell ill with Parkinson disease, and worsened until the death of January 2022, at the age of 56. Carlo founded together with his wife a no profit organization, for sustaining and helping the patients of Parkinson disease. He has left behind a wife and three daughters.
Carlo Scaramuzzino – an Italian nightclub DJ, belonging to political correctness, who died in 2013, at 57. He was the resident DJ of an important nightclub in Genoa, the “Cezanne”. I think that Carlo inspired the policy of the nightclub, which is interesting. In brief, given that young people don’t appreciate traditional discotheques, and don’t have a lot of money, the managers of the nightclub have thought that the activity needs to be attractive to mature persons. Consequently, the music is made of revival disco, and of Latin rhythms.
Casey Kasem, born Kemal Amin Casey – a Lebanese-American radio DJ, radio personality, and voice actor from Detroit, with a long career ended in 2009. He created and hosted several radio programs on many radio stations, especially of the adult contemporary genre. Despite, in late 60’s he became a voice actor, and gave the voice to some popular characters of cartoons, such as Shaggy of Scooby-Doo films. During the 59 years of activity, he also voiced more than 100 commercials. Politically, Casey was a liberal, committed in the Arab-Americans causes. He married an actress and had 3 children. Casey was diagnosed in 2007 of Lewy body dementia, an illness similar to Parkinson’s disease, and in 2009 he was forced to stop working. The health conditions worsened until June 2014, when he died from sepsis caused by ulcerated bedsore, aged 82. After his death, the widow and the descendants started legal controversies. Ok, I don’t feel exactly like I can say “Scooby Dooby Doo to you”.
Cesare Milan aka DJ Cece Sirbonzodequincey – a rock drummer, and a DJ of bars and clubs, who died in 2014 at 37, from a cardio-circulatory arrest. He was born in northern Italy, and was active in the music business for 20 years, as a lover of psychedelic rock, and a fan of the Led Zeppelin. Cesare was a passionate collector of music records, an organizer of musical events, and a voluntary in the social field. May he rest in peace. However, my suggestion to my readers is to avoid Cesare’s choice in the matter of the nickname. Be simpler, and find an inspiration inside your biography.
Cesare Tripodo aka DJ Trip – a mad Italian nightclub DJ, active in Bari from 1983 to 1991. He was a hip hop DJ, with uncommon ideas. For instance, he uses to scratch the vinyl records without hands, acrobatically, by marking the exact point of the vinyl with self-adhesive labels. He named “clock theory” the described praxis. Well, I agree that nightclub DJs might have original ideas, even if the purpose of ideas should be a better amusement for the audience. Moreover, I consider my vinyl records as precious resources, so, why damaging them? Despite, rest in peace, DJ Trip.
Cesare Milan aka DJ Cece Sirbonzodequincey – a rock drummer, and a DJ of bars and clubs, who died in 2014 at 37, from a cardio-circulatory arrest. He was born in northern Italy, and was active in the music business for 20 years, as a lover of psychedelic rock, and a fan of the Led Zeppelin. Cesare was a passionate collector of music records, an organizer of musical events, and a voluntary in the social field. May he rest in peace. However, my suggestion to my readers is to avoid Cesare’s choice in the matter of the nickname. Be simpler, and find an inspiration inside your biography.
Cesare Tripodo aka DJ Trip – a mad Italian nightclub DJ, active in Bari from 1983 to 1991. He was a hip hop DJ, with uncommon ideas. For instance, he uses to scratch the vinyl records without hands, acrobatically, by marking the exact point of the vinyl with self-adhesive labels. He named “clock theory” the described praxis. Well, I agree that nightclub DJs might have original ideas, even if the purpose of ideas should be a better amusement for the audience. Moreover, I consider my vinyl records as precious resources, so, why damaging them? Despite, rest in peace, DJ Trip.
Charlie Tuna, alias Billy O’ Day, born Arthur W. Ferguson – a charismatic radio and TV personality from Kearney Nebraska, who started the radio career at the age of 16, and was on air for 4 decades. He was a high school athlete and editor of school newspaper. He worked in a dozen radio stations, especially in the Los Angeles area, and was focused on three-minutes singles of pop and rock genres. He deserved various awards, local and national. Charlie Tuna died in 2016, from a sudden illness, aged 71. You should not confuse Charlie Tuna with Charli 2na, a Californian rapper.
Chiara Fumai aka DJ Pippi Langstrumpf – a female DJ, and a contemporary visual artist, born in Rome. She had an international notoriety, especially as a visual artist. By the way, she died in the Art Gallery “Doppelganger”, Bari Italy. As a DJ, she declared to be a follower of the Drexciya, an American electronic music duo, more precisely from Detroit, whose techno sound was based on a Afro-futurist myth. I think she was more than that, rather a postmodern producer of the Italo-disco musical genre. Chiara showed that, if you want to create something in the EDM field, you need fusions, echoes of the past, and contaminations, beside a lot of irony, and a spirit of desecration.
Christa Wittmier aka DJ SuperCW – a female DJ, a promoter, and a blogger, based in Honolulu. She was neither a superstar, nor a creative, rather, a communicator. Her energy came from positivity, humanity, brave heart, and love for people. She was the living proof that the same track can be very different, because of the different personalities of the DJs who select it.
Christen Nilan aka DJ Speakerfoxxx – a female DJ and producer, an important part of the Atlanta Trap Scene. You know, in the 2000s Atlanta US has become the most important place in the world for nightlife at clubs, being the capital of trap hip-hop. Unluckily, Christen found something of herself in the lyrics of trap music, the sound she was fond of proposing, under the nickname of DJ Speakerfoxxx, with notable energy and creativity. In effect, she obtained fame thanks to a pair of emblematic mixtapes, “Dopeboy anthems” and “Dopegirl anthems”. Sadly, she died in December 2018 at 35. It’s easy to imagine the cause of the death.
Christian Kou – a popular DJ of nightclubs from Genoa, who died in 2018 at 48. He was an appreciated professional in the field of the deep house, in Italy and in Germany. From 2006 to 2008, he was a teacher of mixing techniques in his region. A list of the nightclubs where he performed: Club Imperiale, Covo Di Nord Est, Duplé (where he gained the most part of his fame), Echoes, Exogroove, Frau Marlene, Insomnia, Jaiss, Kama Kama, La Canniccia Eden, Neò, Palace, Shadè, Taverna Jory, and The West. His female partner was a DJ too, whose name is Roberta Onirika. A curiosity: when he died, he was the resident DJ of a nightclub in Genoa, named “Ghost Music Club”! Evidently, some ghosts have greatly liked the work of Christian.
Chiara Fumai aka DJ Pippi Langstrumpf – a female DJ, and a contemporary visual artist, born in Rome. She had an international notoriety, especially as a visual artist. By the way, she died in the Art Gallery “Doppelganger”, Bari Italy. As a DJ, she declared to be a follower of the Drexciya, an American electronic music duo, more precisely from Detroit, whose techno sound was based on a Afro-futurist myth. I think she was more than that, rather a postmodern producer of the Italo-disco musical genre. Chiara showed that, if you want to create something in the EDM field, you need fusions, echoes of the past, and contaminations, beside a lot of irony, and a spirit of desecration.
Christa Wittmier aka DJ SuperCW – a female DJ, a promoter, and a blogger, based in Honolulu. She was neither a superstar, nor a creative, rather, a communicator. Her energy came from positivity, humanity, brave heart, and love for people. She was the living proof that the same track can be very different, because of the different personalities of the DJs who select it.
Christen Nilan aka DJ Speakerfoxxx – a female DJ and producer, an important part of the Atlanta Trap Scene. You know, in the 2000s Atlanta US has become the most important place in the world for nightlife at clubs, being the capital of trap hip-hop. Unluckily, Christen found something of herself in the lyrics of trap music, the sound she was fond of proposing, under the nickname of DJ Speakerfoxxx, with notable energy and creativity. In effect, she obtained fame thanks to a pair of emblematic mixtapes, “Dopeboy anthems” and “Dopegirl anthems”. Sadly, she died in December 2018 at 35. It’s easy to imagine the cause of the death.
Christian Kou – a popular DJ of nightclubs from Genoa, who died in 2018 at 48. He was an appreciated professional in the field of the deep house, in Italy and in Germany. From 2006 to 2008, he was a teacher of mixing techniques in his region. A list of the nightclubs where he performed: Club Imperiale, Covo Di Nord Est, Duplé (where he gained the most part of his fame), Echoes, Exogroove, Frau Marlene, Insomnia, Jaiss, Kama Kama, La Canniccia Eden, Neò, Palace, Shadè, Taverna Jory, and The West. His female partner was a DJ too, whose name is Roberta Onirika. A curiosity: when he died, he was the resident DJ of a nightclub in Genoa, named “Ghost Music Club”! Evidently, some ghosts have greatly liked the work of Christian.
Christian Urru – a beloved young man from Sardinia, who was a barman by day, and a DJ at night. On August 6, 2018, Christian was riding his motorbike on the State Road number 195, nicknamed “the road of cemetery crosses”. Suddenly, a car coming from a secondary road provoked a hit-and-run accident, and Christian lost his life, at the age of 31. After more than 3 years, the local judiciary has started a criminal process for the vehicular homicide of Christian, against Mr. N. N. (I can’t tell more). What is my comment? I briefly summarize the common results of the Italian judiciary system. After 30 years of investigations, in 2023 authorities have captured Mr. Matteo Messina Denaro, the chief of Cosa Nostra accused of more than 60 murders, who is still uncensored and is dying from a cancer. Well, given that I am an expert of Italian criminal laws, I can assure you that the chief of Cosa Nostra is about to die uncensored, while Mr. Silvio Berlusconi, 4 times the President of the Council of Ministers, has been criminally condemned for alleged fiscal fraud, in a definitive way, while he is the Italian who pays the highest amount of taxes. Is it crazy or not? That’s the reason why I’m sure that common sense is far better than political correctness.
Christopher Curtis Tittle, known as DJ Sugar Chris – a veteran DJ of clubs and radios in Baltimore, US. His kinds of music were R & B and house music. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 on September 28, 2020, and died in the beginning of October 2020, at the age of 62. He is the eleventh DJ dead from the pandemic, and remembered on this page.
Ciccio Marrone and Paul Leighton Johnson – Ciccio Marrone was a speaker on Radio 00 in Bitonto Italy, and the official voice of the Bitonto soccer club. He was a beloved man, who also committed in the political field. Sadly, Ciccio died from COVID-19 on April 9, 2021, aged 29. He is the twenty-first DJ stolen away by the pandemic. Paul Leighton Johnson was a DJ and a music producer of the house music scene of Chicago, the most influent all over the world. He remained paralyzed from the waist down in 1987, after a car accident. Despite, he continued the profession and, as a music producer, had international hits such as “get get down”. Unluckily, Paul died from COVID-10 on August 4, 2021, aged 50. He is the twenty-second DJ dead in the pandemic, according to my findings.
Claudio Coccoluto – at first a radio DJ, and successively a top international DJ of nightclubs, a remixer, and a producer of the house music genre, from Gaeta Italy. His name is bound to the Goa nightclub in Rome, and he was a guest DJ at the legendary Sound Factory Bar in New York, the most important historic venue of the deep house genre. He even became a personality of TV shows. Claudio is dead in the beginning of March 2021, aged 59, after a long battle with a serious illness. Italian mass media are saying that the battle was one year long, but I have elements to estimate, at least, three years. I remember him for a beautiful remix of the Underworld – king of snake, that I’ve already utilized in the blog, and for a beautiful production, belonging to Latin-tropical house music, Claudio Coccoluto – uno nuovo (1999).
Claudio Cuoghi, aka DJ Claudio Congliocchiali – a beloved DJ and entertainer from Sassuolo, a village near the Italian town of Modena, who was active on local radios in Emilia Romagna region, and at the nightclub “Red Noise” near Reggio Emilia. He was the father of an amusements project named “Mustachioed Astronauts”, focused on some radio stations. Sadly, Claudio died in July 2015, at the age of 46. Once again, Italian local press, that is a part of political correctness, has established that the cause of the death of a person belongs to the matter of privacy. Despite, I think that my corpse will not need any “privacy”, and that, on the contrary, alive persons would like to know how I’m dead. For instance, it’s not irrelevant for public health the fact that I was affected with a transmissible pathology. I hope that the spirit of Claudio will excuse me for having exploited his name. However, I can’t appreciate hypocrisy and faked moral values.
Claudio D’Antonio – a native of Aprilia, a village near the small town of Latina, who in 1994 became a popular radio DJ on Mondo Radio Rome. After that, he started a series of TV shows dedicated to discotheques, named “Crazy Box”, and transmitted from about 70 local stations. Claudio’s TV shows were chiefly dedicated to prevent road accidents, involving the frequenters of nightclubs, on the way home after a night at the venues. The large popularity gained on TVs opened him the road to become a nightclub DJ, and a music producer. As a nightclub DJ, he performed at the best places, such as Muccassassina (Rome), Alien (Rome), Old Fashion (Milan), and Tocqueville (Milan). Paradoxically, Claudio D’Antonio died on July 10, 2010, when he was coming back home after a night at the disco, from a lethal road accident. He was 32.
Claudio Mandolini – a young DJ of nightclubs from Rome, able to propose an excellent program of Latin-tropical house music. Claudio was a lover of motorbikes, and died while riding his powerful Ducati, in a collision with a light pole caused by a car. The terrible accident happened on September 28, 2011, in the suburbs of Rome. Claudio was 24.
Claudio Nildi – a DJ of nightclubs from Ponte Buggianese in Tuscany Italy, and a record producer for 4 independent labels. He was still at work, and apparently healthy, when he suddenly deceased in 2019, at 66. Claudio is remembered by his friends as “the man with the bittersweet smile”. Perhaps, the kind of departure occurred to Claudio is one of the best, even if a retirement treatment can have some fascination, according to many.
Claudio Sartore aka DJ Charlie – a professional DJ of nightclubs from Bolzano Italy, active from 1980 to 2001. In 2001 he married and changed activity, becoming a tiler (nothing to do with Freemasonry). As a DJ, he was popular, charismatic and talented, even if a little bit bizarre, because he used to mix traditional folk music together with African dances. The names of the nightclubs: Danny Club, Apres, and Havana. In 2009 he suffered from a heart arrest. After 23 minutes of that situation, he was back from the dead, sadly with severe cerebral damages. Claudio has been fighting against disability until 2018, when he definitely died, at 56, leaving behind a wife and a son. Reportedly, Claudio’s 14-years-old son wants to be a DJ. Nowadays, it is not easy, for many reasons. My best wishes.
Claudio Sartore aka DJ Charlie – a professional DJ of nightclubs from Bolzano Italy, active from 1980 to 2001. In 2001 he married and changed activity, becoming a tiler (nothing to do with Freemasonry). As a DJ, he was popular, charismatic and talented, even if a little bit bizarre, because he used to mix traditional folk music together with African dances. The names of the nightclubs: Danny Club, Apres, and Havana. In 2009 he suffered from a heart arrest. After 23 minutes of that situation, he was back from the dead, sadly with severe cerebral damages. Claudio has been fighting against disability until 2018, when he definitely died, at 56, leaving behind a wife and a son. Reportedly, Claudio’s 14-years-old son wants to be a DJ. Nowadays, it is not easy, for many reasons. My best wishes.
Clelia Bendandi – a pioneer radio DJ from Rome, active since the mid 70’s on Radio Elle, Radio Luna, and Radio RAI Stereo 2. After a pause of 20 years, she returned to be a daily host for 2 hours on RTL 102.5 Best, and a guest DJ on RTR 99. Clelia was popular, admired, and beloved. For many years, she was contemporarily a restaurateur, at first in Rome, and, starting from the 90’s, for 20 years in NYC. Back to Rome, she was back to radio activity, as said above. Evidently, despite of a beautiful voice and a lot of experience, Clelia didn’t know enough the English language, and wasn’t able to become the unique radio DJ born in Italy and hired by an American radio station. She died on March 13, 2023, aged 72. I haven’t found the cause of the death. In my opinion, there’s no shame in dying, whatever the cause might be.
Clive Carson aka Karlo King – a unique professional from Cornwall, half hairdresser and half nightclub DJ, who lived in Wales for 40 years, but never lost his Cornish accent. He became “Karlo King” when teaching hairdressing at Cornwall Tech. For what I know, Clive is the only DJ who started his performances with hairstyling shows, after which he had a DJ set. The last of Clive’s disco nights was on New Year’s Eve 2016. Successively, he continued the DJ activity as a volunteer, for charity purposes, in fundraising events. Clive died in January 2020, aged 74, I haven’t found the cause of the death.
Colin Faver – a nightclub DJ and record producer from London, who started his career as an employee of a small record shop. He also was a fan of punk rock and new wave. In late 70s, Colin began to perform at the mixer of a disco club. As a DJ, he preferred soul music, disco, and hip hop. In late 80s, Colin was a founder member of Kiss FM, at that time a pirate radio station, successively a successful media for the development of dance music. In the 90s, Colin became a record producer, and transformed himself into an acid house DJ. He played the music in legendary clubs, such as the Shoom, and the Haçienda. In the 2000s, he continued to be a house music DJ, by changing various sub-genres. Colin died in 2015, at 64, from a multiple organ failure. Colin’s bio has given me an idea: is it possible to create a fusion between punk rock and soul music?
Conrad Buchanan aka DJ Griff Gotti – a neo soul DJ from Florida, who died of coronavirus on March 26, 2020, 12 days after he had felt sick. As a professional, he was well-known and appreciated. Sadly, on March 14, 2020, he had asked to be tested for the virus, and received a denial. When he was hospitalized, it was too late to save him. Even more sadly, he was a healthy 39-year-old, a good husband, and a lovely father. My comment is: “in the name of God, don’t use the COVID 19 as a political tool!”. If you are doing that, may you burn in hell, as quick as hell itself.
Cory Geisler – a young club DJ from Townsville Australia, who died in November 2018. He was creative and accurate, however, his best quality was the capacity of working well in a team of DJs, I think something rare and remarkable. In effect, generally, professional DJs are individualist. I don’t know exactly why, Australia is the homeland of many, well-known DJs, especially female. It’s a peculiar phenomenon, which deserves to be deepened.
Colin Faver – a nightclub DJ and record producer from London, who started his career as an employee of a small record shop. He also was a fan of punk rock and new wave. In late 70s, Colin began to perform at the mixer of a disco club. As a DJ, he preferred soul music, disco, and hip hop. In late 80s, Colin was a founder member of Kiss FM, at that time a pirate radio station, successively a successful media for the development of dance music. In the 90s, Colin became a record producer, and transformed himself into an acid house DJ. He played the music in legendary clubs, such as the Shoom, and the Haçienda. In the 2000s, he continued to be a house music DJ, by changing various sub-genres. Colin died in 2015, at 64, from a multiple organ failure. Colin’s bio has given me an idea: is it possible to create a fusion between punk rock and soul music?
Conrad Buchanan aka DJ Griff Gotti – a neo soul DJ from Florida, who died of coronavirus on March 26, 2020, 12 days after he had felt sick. As a professional, he was well-known and appreciated. Sadly, on March 14, 2020, he had asked to be tested for the virus, and received a denial. When he was hospitalized, it was too late to save him. Even more sadly, he was a healthy 39-year-old, a good husband, and a lovely father. My comment is: “in the name of God, don’t use the COVID 19 as a political tool!”. If you are doing that, may you burn in hell, as quick as hell itself.
Cory Geisler – a young club DJ from Townsville Australia, who died in November 2018. He was creative and accurate, however, his best quality was the capacity of working well in a team of DJs, I think something rare and remarkable. In effect, generally, professional DJs are individualist. I don’t know exactly why, Australia is the homeland of many, well-known DJs, especially female. It’s a peculiar phenomenon, which deserves to be deepened.
Costantino “Mixmaster” Padovano, alias “Funky Junction” – an international DJ of nightclubs born in Mola near Bari (Italy), who gained his celebrity from working in the USA, at first in Brooklyn, and successively in Miami. He worked together with Frankie Knuckles and Derrick May, because house music was a part of his soul. In the year 1995, Costantino became a house music producer. In the blog, I’ve employed one of the records produced by him, titled “clorophilla”. Sadly, DJ Mixmaster died of cancer in November 2021, at the age of 61.
Cristian “Bruska” Bruscagin – a polyhedral personality from Vighizzolo D’Este, near Padua Italy. He was a Christian, an athletic man, and a chain smoker. Professionally, he was a fitness instructor, and, chiefly, a DJ and entertainer of nightclubs. Cristian was politically active inside a populist movement, and became an elected member of the representative town meeting. He died in 2014 at 35, from a heart attack, while he was in bed with his female partner. What can you learn from Cristian’s personal history? You’d better quit smoking, even if you are an athlete.
Cristian “Bruska” Bruscagin – a polyhedral personality from Vighizzolo D’Este, near Padua Italy. He was a Christian, an athletic man, and a chain smoker. Professionally, he was a fitness instructor, and, chiefly, a DJ and entertainer of nightclubs. Cristian was politically active inside a populist movement, and became an elected member of the representative town meeting. He died in 2014 at 35, from a heart attack, while he was in bed with his female partner. What can you learn from Cristian’s personal history? You’d better quit smoking, even if you are an athlete.
Cristiano Miele aka Giuseppe Cristiano Miele – a popular and funny DJ of local radios in Veneto region Italy, born in Salzano near Venice. He has been a founding member of two local radio stations, radio “Bella E Monella”, and radio “Birikina”. From 1998 to 2017, he was the main voice of radio “Sorriso” in Castelfranco Veneto, always trying to gift the listeners with a smile and a piece of poetry. Unluckily, in 2017 he fell ill, and had to leave the work. Cristiano’s health gradually worsened until October 2019, when he died at 66. Cristiano’s friends have said that he physically resembled to the pilot Michael Schumacher. Well, I have appreciated Cristiano’s peculiar poetry, made of smiles and race competitions.
Custard Beast DJ, born Melvin Hartshorne – a funny man from Staffordshire England, with an eccentric sense of humor. He was a gardener by day, ad a rock DJ of nightclubs at night, especially popular for performing crazy skits while playing the records. Sadly, in 2013 Melvin died in his only son’s arms, from a heart attack, at the age of 62.
Cyril “Big Pappi” Msamati – a British radio DJ with Tanzanian origins, known for being the brother of the popular actor Lucian Msamati, and for the peculiarities of the history of his personal health. Well, Cyril had diabetes since he was 16, but intentionally denied the illness, and stubbornly refused any therapy. Moreover, he was a heavy drinker, so that he went various times near to death, and was hospitalized because of hypoglycemic attacks. No one has been able to make him change the mind. So, inevitably, he died in December 2011 from a cardiac arrest, at the age of 32. A warning to my readers: dear friends, diabetes is the main condition that the virus SARS-COV-2 exploits to lead people to death. Despite, one of the most common therapies of diabetes is diuretic drugs, that can even nullify the COVID-19 infection, in a few hours. Thus, if you have problems with glucose metabolism, you need a glucose screening test, more than a vaccination against COVID-19.
Dan Daniel and Dan Ingram – two popular voices of New York, in reality two very different radio personalities. The true name of Dandy Dan Daniel was Vergil Glynn Daniel. He was a radio and TV presenter, a tall man whose height was 6 foot 5 inches, and whose theme tune was “big boss man” by Charlie Rich. He became one of the top 40 radio DJs, and one of the most appreciated on WMCA New York. Dandy Dan Daniel had only 1 wife, the love of his life, and 3 children. He died in 2016, at 81, after falling in his New York home. The true name of Big Dan Ingram was Dan Trombley Ingram. He was a radio DJ born in New York, inserted among the top 40 radio DJs, especially popular for his work on WABC and WCBS-FM NYC. He invented a technique, the talk up to the lyrics of a record, according to which he stopped talking immediately before the beginning of the vocal part of the song. The technique is still largely imitated, even in Italian radios. Big Dan had 4 wives and 11 children! He died in 2018 in Fort Lauderdale Florida, aged 83.
Dan Daniel and Dan Ingram – two popular voices of New York, in reality two very different radio personalities. The true name of Dandy Dan Daniel was Vergil Glynn Daniel. He was a radio and TV presenter, a tall man whose height was 6 foot 5 inches, and whose theme tune was “big boss man” by Charlie Rich. He became one of the top 40 radio DJs, and one of the most appreciated on WMCA New York. Dandy Dan Daniel had only 1 wife, the love of his life, and 3 children. He died in 2016, at 81, after falling in his New York home. The true name of Big Dan Ingram was Dan Trombley Ingram. He was a radio DJ born in New York, inserted among the top 40 radio DJs, especially popular for his work on WABC and WCBS-FM NYC. He invented a technique, the talk up to the lyrics of a record, according to which he stopped talking immediately before the beginning of the vocal part of the song. The technique is still largely imitated, even in Italian radios. Big Dan had 4 wives and 11 children! He died in 2018 in Fort Lauderdale Florida, aged 83.
Daniel Leon “Dan” Foster – a radio and TV personality born in San Francisco US, and a media consultant, who worked in many radio stations in the USA, in Virgin Islands, and in Nigeria. He was based in Nigeria, where he gained a position similar to the Got Talent franchise. Daniel died on June 17, 2020, from complications of COVID-19. He was living together with his second, enlarged family, and the Nigerian wife. When he died, he was aged 61. Daniel has left behind 4 descendants.
Daniele Vellani – a historic DJ from Latina, near Rome. In the 80s, he was the resident DJ of the “Bella Blu” Discotheque in Rome, a fashionable place for VIPs. Daniele was handsome, accurate and polyhedral . In effect, he was also a radio DJ for Radio Latina, a remixer, a producer, and a creator of musical programs for fashion events. He died in 1988 from a car accident, while driving on the “Pontina” highway. The Pontina highway is still one of the most dangerous of Italy, according to the official statistics of accidents and fatalities. My observation is that around 31 years are passed from Daniele’s death, and nothing has been done to improve the security of the highway.
Darian O’Toole aka Karen Begin – a female radio personality from Nova Scotia, who worked as a morning disc-jockey in Atlantic City, Philadelphia, Baltimore (where she gained popularity, after getting fired), San Francisco, New York, and back again to San Francisco (KSAN Radio and KIFR). She died in April 2008, in the Oakland Hospital, at 40, because of complications from a broken leg. During her career, she was fired two times, the second time in 2006, after falling asleep on the air. The layoffs did not end her business. Ok, what about falling asleep in the morning? Sadly, during her lifetime she had a long battle with alcoholism. Despite, she was extremely politically correct, a true guiding light for the politically correct crowds, and even a good journalist. In effect, she gained a national notoriety with a successful run, during the trial of O. J. Simpson. According to many, Karen was sharp and corrosive. Well, as you have read, political correctness includes heroic personalities, who die young for feminist ideals.
Daniele Vellani – a historic DJ from Latina, near Rome. In the 80s, he was the resident DJ of the “Bella Blu” Discotheque in Rome, a fashionable place for VIPs. Daniele was handsome, accurate and polyhedral . In effect, he was also a radio DJ for Radio Latina, a remixer, a producer, and a creator of musical programs for fashion events. He died in 1988 from a car accident, while driving on the “Pontina” highway. The Pontina highway is still one of the most dangerous of Italy, according to the official statistics of accidents and fatalities. My observation is that around 31 years are passed from Daniele’s death, and nothing has been done to improve the security of the highway.
Darian O’Toole aka Karen Begin – a female radio personality from Nova Scotia, who worked as a morning disc-jockey in Atlantic City, Philadelphia, Baltimore (where she gained popularity, after getting fired), San Francisco, New York, and back again to San Francisco (KSAN Radio and KIFR). She died in April 2008, in the Oakland Hospital, at 40, because of complications from a broken leg. During her career, she was fired two times, the second time in 2006, after falling asleep on the air. The layoffs did not end her business. Ok, what about falling asleep in the morning? Sadly, during her lifetime she had a long battle with alcoholism. Despite, she was extremely politically correct, a true guiding light for the politically correct crowds, and even a good journalist. In effect, she gained a national notoriety with a successful run, during the trial of O. J. Simpson. According to many, Karen was sharp and corrosive. Well, as you have read, political correctness includes heroic personalities, who die young for feminist ideals.
Dave Herman – a memorable radio DJ from New York, who was a popular pioneer of free-form rock music programming, first at Philadelphia’s WMMR, and then at WNEW-FM New York. His New York radio show was named “Rock & Roll Morning Show”, and has been successful for a pair of decades. Forgive me for something not precise, because I’ve found contradictory sources. However, according to my thoughts, Dave was a victim of an attempt of extortion, today very easy thanks to political correctness. Substantially, in the year 2013, in St. Croix, Virgin Islands he was accused by a woman of having an intent to rape her 6-year-old son, and he was incarcerated in the Essex Jail. Dave was risking 10 years up to life in prison, together with a maximum $ 250.000 fine. Sadly, Dave died in 2014 at 78, from aneurysm, while waiting in prison for sex charge trial. Dave’s lawyer has sustained his innocence. Excuse me while I say that, for me, political exploitation of sexual violence is far worse than sexual violence in itself.
Dave Shaw – a 14-years-old witness of the second anniversary all-nighter at the legendary Wigan Casino, in September 1975. About that memorable experience, Dave wrote a book titled “Casino”, published in the year 2000 and reprinted two years later, that’s fundamental for reconstructing the spirit of British Northern Soul. Sadly, Dave died in March 2023, after having been hospitalized, at the age of 61/62. The news has been spread by the legendary DJ Ian “Pep” Pereira.
David Charles Wish aka DJ Dave Cash – a radio DJ, the very soul of British pirate stations, later a respected DJ of the BBC. He was the second column of the “top of the pop” mentality, beside Jimmy Savile, and musically bound to the charts from 1965 to 1984. The God of great music has called David, who is now a favorite helper of the Muse Euterpe.
David Charles Wish aka DJ Dave Cash – a radio DJ, the very soul of British pirate stations, later a respected DJ of the BBC. He was the second column of the “top of the pop” mentality, beside Jimmy Savile, and musically bound to the charts from 1965 to 1984. The God of great music has called David, who is now a favorite helper of the Muse Euterpe.
David Cole – a Grammy-winning record producer, as a member of the duo named C+C Music Factory, together with Mr. Robert Clivillés. David was also a keyboardist, and a DJ of nightclubs, born in Tennessee and working in NYC. He died in 1995, aged 32, the cause of the death has not been revealed. There’s a rumor about AIDS, another wicked companion of our lives, now scaring us together with SARS-COV-2. What a devilish duo of unnatural pathologies! You’re authorized to think that the devil is a kind of Capitalism, the one most politically correct. However, sneaky killing of masses doesn’t properly belong to classic Capitalism, rather to a degeneration of oligarchic regimes.
David “Contessa” Rodriguez Jr. – one of the most important pioneer disco DJs of the Big Apple, deceased in the 80s. He became a legend by spinning the records at the following NYC historic nightclubs: Club Casablanca, Continental Baths, Le Jardin, the Limelight of the 70s, Make Believe Ballroom, and Reflection’s. I remember him for his favorite musical genre, the soul music of the most impressive female singers, and for the constant praxis of avoiding imported records. One of his horses of battle, Betty Wright – if you love me like you say you love me (1972), was also a big success at northern soul venues, such as the Wigan Casino. More in general, David utilized many 7” vinyl records, even if he didn’t know to resemble a lot to the UK northern soul DJs.
David Mancuso – an American nightclub DJ, the first to organize something near to the house parties of today, even associating the musical program to culture and religion. He used to play music with high-end audio units, offering a true high-fidelity sound. In brief, he was Mr. Seriousness.
David “Contessa” Rodriguez Jr. – one of the most important pioneer disco DJs of the Big Apple, deceased in the 80s. He became a legend by spinning the records at the following NYC historic nightclubs: Club Casablanca, Continental Baths, Le Jardin, the Limelight of the 70s, Make Believe Ballroom, and Reflection’s. I remember him for his favorite musical genre, the soul music of the most impressive female singers, and for the constant praxis of avoiding imported records. One of his horses of battle, Betty Wright – if you love me like you say you love me (1972), was also a big success at northern soul venues, such as the Wigan Casino. More in general, David utilized many 7” vinyl records, even if he didn’t know to resemble a lot to the UK northern soul DJs.
David Mancuso – an American nightclub DJ, the first to organize something near to the house parties of today, even associating the musical program to culture and religion. He used to play music with high-end audio units, offering a true high-fidelity sound. In brief, he was Mr. Seriousness.
Davide Masitti aka DJ Da Frikkyo – a techno DJ from Concordia, a village near the Italian town of Modena, who was a master of the profession, and a “free soul”. In 2019, he went to live in France, with his female partner and two sons, now aged 3 and 9. He was popular as the founding member of a web group, whose members are organizers of “free parties” in abandoned buildings. Sadly, in 2021 Davide was fatally wounded with a knife, aged 49. His female partner is suspected to be the author of the crime, and still investigated by the French police. She declared that “Davide wounded himself”. Sorry, I can’t believe it.
Delia Derbyshire – a British music personality, not exactly a DJ, rather a genial composer of electronic music, who had been working also for the BBC, and as a radio operator. She is the co-author of the original Doctor Who theme music, together with Ron Grainer. She died in 2001, at 64. I suggest to the DJs of EDM to acquire the material given by Delia to the University of Manchester, it might be precious.
Delphine Palatsi aka DJ Sextoy – a female DJ born in France, who in the 90s became a fundamental personality of the house-techno scene in Paris. Reportedly, her sources of inspiration were manga comics, Marvel comics, David Bowie, and the Asian cinema. She was a motivator for many musicians, and had some apparitions in films. She was found dead in 2002 at her home in Paris, when she was 34. She is buried in the cemetery Père-Lachaise of Paris, like Jim Morrison. I’ve observed that she has left vivid memories, it’s a feature of uncommon persons.
Delia Derbyshire – a British music personality, not exactly a DJ, rather a genial composer of electronic music, who had been working also for the BBC, and as a radio operator. She is the co-author of the original Doctor Who theme music, together with Ron Grainer. She died in 2001, at 64. I suggest to the DJs of EDM to acquire the material given by Delia to the University of Manchester, it might be precious.
Delphine Palatsi aka DJ Sextoy – a female DJ born in France, who in the 90s became a fundamental personality of the house-techno scene in Paris. Reportedly, her sources of inspiration were manga comics, Marvel comics, David Bowie, and the Asian cinema. She was a motivator for many musicians, and had some apparitions in films. She was found dead in 2002 at her home in Paris, when she was 34. She is buried in the cemetery Père-Lachaise of Paris, like Jim Morrison. I’ve observed that she has left vivid memories, it’s a feature of uncommon persons.
Dewey Phillips – a pioneer of rock and roll radio from Crump Tennessee, whose DJ career chiefly developed on WHBQ Radio in Memphis, where he hosted a night radio show named “Red, Hot and Blue”, since November 3, 1949. At the top of popularity, in the 50’s DJ Phillips received 3000 letters a week. He was specialized in black music. Unfortunately, Mr. Phillips was fired in late 1958, and died of heart failure on September 28, 1968, at the age of 42.
DJ 1D aka Mzwandile Zimande – a resident DJ at Kaya FM in Johannesburg South Africa, beloved and popular, who was also the founder of a street-wear brand, the Loxion Kulca. DJ 1D died on January 13, 2021, aged 44, from complications of COVID-19. He has left behind a wife, three girls, and two brothers.
DJ 50 Grand, born Kevin Fiftygrand Griffin – a pivotal hip-hop DJ from Brooklyn, who in the year 1991 produced the iconic demo tape that launched the career of the Notorious B.I.G., Christopher Wallace, perhaps the best rapper of NYC. DJ 50 Grand was a member of the Old Gold Brothers, a confraternity of heavy drinkers of malt liquors. They also say he was a smoker, and a drug dealer. The cause of death has not been announced, however Mr. Griffin died in June 2022, at the age of 55.
DJ Ajax, born Adrian Thomas – an Australian-born international DJ of nightclubs, and the successful co-founder and director of a record label, on which a big global hit was released in 2010, titled Yolanda Be Cool – we no speak Americano. He was a pioneer of house music in Australia, many times awarded, and notably active on the web. Unfortunately, Adrian died in 2013, aged 41, in a road accident. I say RIP among the angels, while I’m trying to speak a little bit of Americano.
DJ Albert Taylor – a pensioner of West Bromwich, Sandwell UK, who started to spin the records when he was aged 87, all over the dance floors in Black Country. He was a lover of pop music, a fan of the Eagles, and his favorite song was “lying eyes”. For a pair of decades, he made people dance to the sound of vinyl records of pop genre, especially of the 50’s, the 60’s, and the 70’s. DJ Albert died in 2018, from complications of a chest infection, at the incredible age of 108. Perhaps, he was the oldest disco DJ of history.
DJ Alberto Carpani alias Albert One, alias Jock Hattle – a big, funny man from Pavia Italy, who was at first a DJ, but, successively and mostly, a successful producer and singer of the Italo-disco musical genre, especially in the early 80’s. The first successful release was “Jock Hattle – yes-no family (1982)”, a beautiful dance track written by Enrico Ruggeri, in my opinion the best composer of the Italian pop scene. Other successes were “Albert One – turbo diesel (1983)”, and “Albert One – heart on fire (1983)”. In the year 2014, Alberto, who was politically incorrect, started a judicial controversy for plagiarism against Zucchero “Sugar” Fornaciari, a popular singer and songwriter belonging to political correctness. Of course, the Tribunal of Milan, that belongs to strict political correctness, didn’t confirm the accusations. Sadly, Alberto died in May 2020, from the consequences of a chronic pneumonia. I’m still an admirer of Alberto’s music, and I promise you that I will employ it in the blog.
DJ Alceste Pasquinelli – a funky DJ from Pescara Italy, especially popular in the 80s for having been the resident DJ of the nightclub “Lenny’s”. He was a professional photographer, but occasionally he was continuing the DJ activity in nightclubs. He died in 2018 from a stroke, at 58, after a performance in the birthday party of a friend, while carrying his materials and records on the car. DJ Alceste was a living memory of the disco years, that he was able to refresh, thanks to passion and notable technical skills. With him, another little piece of the disco music world has gone away, forever.
DJ Alex Elle aka Alessandro Scuri – an international DJ of clubs, born in Italy, specialized in beach parties, who was a collaborator of popular musicians, such as Puff Daddy and Boy George. Sadly, on Friday the 22nd of May 2009, around midnight, he was hit by a stroke, while working in the DJ booth of the “Coco Beach” nightclub, near to the city of Brescia. Sadly, he died in the hospital of Brescia, in a few of hours, at 38. For what I’ve read, he had ignored some previous symptoms. One more time, I must say: “Hey Mr. DJ, you’re not invulnerable! Take care of your health.”.
DJ Alceste Pasquinelli – a funky DJ from Pescara Italy, especially popular in the 80s for having been the resident DJ of the nightclub “Lenny’s”. He was a professional photographer, but occasionally he was continuing the DJ activity in nightclubs. He died in 2018 from a stroke, at 58, after a performance in the birthday party of a friend, while carrying his materials and records on the car. DJ Alceste was a living memory of the disco years, that he was able to refresh, thanks to passion and notable technical skills. With him, another little piece of the disco music world has gone away, forever.
DJ Alex Elle aka Alessandro Scuri – an international DJ of clubs, born in Italy, specialized in beach parties, who was a collaborator of popular musicians, such as Puff Daddy and Boy George. Sadly, on Friday the 22nd of May 2009, around midnight, he was hit by a stroke, while working in the DJ booth of the “Coco Beach” nightclub, near to the city of Brescia. Sadly, he died in the hospital of Brescia, in a few of hours, at 38. For what I’ve read, he had ignored some previous symptoms. One more time, I must say: “Hey Mr. DJ, you’re not invulnerable! Take care of your health.”.
DJ André Master born André de Souza Vieira, and DJ Rene born Rene de Souza dos Santos – two popular Brazilian DJs, the both killed by the gunfire of local organized crime in the municipality of Sinop. DJ André was shot to death on November 24, 2021, at the age of 35. DJ Rene was similarly murdered less than 48 hours after, on November 26, 2021, at the age of 30, together with his daughter, aged 10. For now, I can’t offer more details. Brazilian authorities are still investigating about the three homicides (update: February 28, 2023).
DJ Antonio Grillo – a DJ of nightclubs from Messina Italy. He was a strong, enthusiast, young man, who died in May 2020, suddenly and unexpectedly, at 29, maybe from a heart attack. Although he was performing live on social networks, he also was very worried about the sanitary shutdown of discotheques, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Antonio even posted on socials something like: “be near me, I’m thinking about suicide!”. My comment: a precautionary principle doesn’t belong to science, only what is fully evidence-based does. So, you can’t say that the sanitary shutdown has been recommended by “scientists”, it’s only a political, questionable decision.
DJ Apache born Jefferson Vandike, also known as “Jeffers” – an international DJ of nightclubs from Plymouth UK, active since the year 1985 and for 27 years. Successively, he was a regular DJ at the restaurant “Terrace”. DJ Apache proclaimed himself the “professor of mixology”. His favorite music was house, electronic, disco, and rare vinyl. Unluckily, DJ Apache died on March 8, 2023, after a “short illness”. I haven’t found the age at the day of the death.
DJ Banana, born Valerio Anania – they remember him all over Umbria region as the DJ of the popular discotheque “Gattopardo Club” in Città di Castello, who, during the 70’s and the 80’s, formed an appreciated DJ duo together with his close friend Graziano Giaccaglia. Alas, DJ Banana died in October, 2020, at the age of 69.
DJ Bangi, born Wilfred Bangirana – a Ugandan radio DJ, who gained popularity at the music radio station 88.2 Sanyu FM. He specialized in golden oldies, which were also the topic of a namesake TV show, hosted by him on WBS station. Before the radio career, he graduated with a degree in law from Makerere University, in 1987. DJ Bangi died at his home in Naalya, a suburb of Kampala, in November 2007, aged 44. They say that the death was shocking, especially for his family, who was beside him. Some press articles have underlined that DJ Bangi’s death followed, of about a week, the departure of a South African music legend, Lucky Dube.
DJ Bart, born Romano Bartoletti – a retired, historical DJ of nightclubs from Romagna Italy, active in the 70’s and in the 80’s. He gained fame as the resident DJ of the discotheque “La Gatta” in Milano Marittima, where he used to make people dancing to the sound of “Je t’aime moi non plus”. According to the most important daily newspaper of Italy, DJ Bart recorded a personal version of the cited song. Sorry, I haven’t found a confirmation of that. My theory is that DJ Bart utilized the version interpreted by Donna Summer. After the DJ activity, he was a salesman. Romano died in February 2022, aged 72, from a sudden illness, that hit him while he was sitting on his car.
DJ Bart Prater – the personification of local radio stations in Roanoke Virginia, from 1968 to 2012, on WROV 1240 AM until 1981, and successively on WXLK 92.3 FM. In 1975, the Billboard Magazine named him the nation’s “radio personality of the year”, for his contribution to rock and pop music. During the broadcasting activity, he sang and played guitar, even inventing his own songs, such as “I got a pickle jar lid and I carry it in my pocket, baby”. Five years after the retirement, in 2017, Bart died, at 69, leaving behind a family of 3. Thinking about his lifetime example, I can say that the passion creates the DJ.
DJ Bart Prater – the personification of local radio stations in Roanoke Virginia, from 1968 to 2012, on WROV 1240 AM until 1981, and successively on WXLK 92.3 FM. In 1975, the Billboard Magazine named him the nation’s “radio personality of the year”, for his contribution to rock and pop music. During the broadcasting activity, he sang and played guitar, even inventing his own songs, such as “I got a pickle jar lid and I carry it in my pocket, baby”. Five years after the retirement, in 2017, Bart died, at 69, leaving behind a family of 3. Thinking about his lifetime example, I can say that the passion creates the DJ.
DJ Ben Rees – a student at the Swansea University, UK, where he was also a DJ and an organizer of events. Ben died in December 2015 at the age of 23, after a clubbing weekend, spent together with 5 friends in Berlin, Germany. Reportedly, he died poisoned by ecstasy pills, whose toxicity caused him a multiple organ failure. According to Ben’s family, he was a crowd-pleaser, and a peacemaker.
DJ Black N Mild aka Oliver Stokes Jr. – a popular DJ in the New Orleans area, the king of New Orleans bounce music, which is an energetic kind of hip hop. He was a Christian, a good husband, and a father of 4. As a DJ, he was a personality of local radios, such as Hot 104.5 and WBOK, and a fantastic dance DJs at clubs and parties, throughout Louisiana, Texas, and beyond. They say he was smooth and charismatic, and particularly able to make anyone dance to the music. Sadly, he had diabetes and hypertension, a high risk condition in times of coronavirus. In effect, he died from coronavirus on March 19, 2020, at 44. Actually, the DJ who died earliest of COVID-19, all around the world. While in the hospital, he also developed kidney issues. To those who think that the COVID-19 is a common, natural virus, I remember the following things: it can injure brain, eyes, nose, lung, heart and blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and intestine; experts say that the survivors will not be immune for more than 1 year; experts say that it’s constantly mutating, so that vaccinations will not surely work, and, in every case, not for a long time. Does it come from bats? Perhaps, bat-man, or someone similar, working in the big pharma.
DJ Black N Mild aka Oliver Stokes Jr. – a popular DJ in the New Orleans area, the king of New Orleans bounce music, which is an energetic kind of hip hop. He was a Christian, a good husband, and a father of 4. As a DJ, he was a personality of local radios, such as Hot 104.5 and WBOK, and a fantastic dance DJs at clubs and parties, throughout Louisiana, Texas, and beyond. They say he was smooth and charismatic, and particularly able to make anyone dance to the music. Sadly, he had diabetes and hypertension, a high risk condition in times of coronavirus. In effect, he died from coronavirus on March 19, 2020, at 44. Actually, the DJ who died earliest of COVID-19, all around the world. While in the hospital, he also developed kidney issues. To those who think that the COVID-19 is a common, natural virus, I remember the following things: it can injure brain, eyes, nose, lung, heart and blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and intestine; experts say that the survivors will not be immune for more than 1 year; experts say that it’s constantly mutating, so that vaccinations will not surely work, and, in every case, not for a long time. Does it come from bats? Perhaps, bat-man, or someone similar, working in the big pharma.
DJ Blackstone, born Curry Brooks Jr. – a DJ of nightclubs in the San Francisco area, for more than 35 years. In the 80’s, DJ Blackstone was popular for the hip-hop Wednesdays at DNA Lounge. After that, he became a house music pioneer, and the co-founder of the record label named “Tarantic Records”. Recently, he was a DJ at private gay parties, such as the “Fag Fridays at the End Up and Universe”. DJ Blackstone died suddenly on October 23, 2021. I haven’t found the age at the day of the departure, and the cause of the death.
DJ Blue Peter, born Peter Elie – a well-known and beloved DJ/VJ at multiple bars in Toronto’s Gay Village, among which the Woody’s and the Pegasus Bar, for more than 20 years. He was a fan of George Michael, and a friendly person. Surprisingly, DJ Blue Peter was found dead in a laundry room, with visible signs of trauma, on May 14, 2020. He was aged 52. The police have arrested a man, who has been charged of the homicide. At the time, the accused man was 27-year-old, and homeless. Unfortunately, I can’t update the news.
DJ Brown Dee – a known professional who worked for Urban TV, Kampala Uganda. Honestly, I have only found some articles about his tragic death. Brown Dee was brutally murdered at home, in November 2020. The unknown killer cut off the penis (local press has utilized a slang word, alluding to the dimensions of it), and pulled out the heart. I can’t add anything about the criminal investigations, apart from the fact that the victim knew the killer, who entered into the apartment without forcing or breaking anything.
DJ Carlos Sanchez – a DJ of nightclubs in NYC for 40 years, among which the well-known Leviticus and Save the Robots, who became a house music DJ. Carlos Sanchez also became a music producer, and a professor at New York’s Pace University. In the year 2018, he was diagnosed with kidney failure, and died in March 2021.
DJ Carsten Klemann – a German DJ of nightclubs, who started to play hip hop, then went to drum & bass, and gained a notable popularity in the field of minimal techno, as the resident DJ of the Berlin nightclub Watergate, from 2003 to 2008. Carsten was a guest DJ at various nightclubs in Germany and in England, and a regular at Panorama bar. He was a founding member of the production trio “My My”. They say that Carsten was a bon vivant dandy, with impeccable style and taste. Unluckily, he died suddenly on January 5, 2022, the causes of death are unknown.
DJ Casper, born Willie Perry Jr., and globally known as Mr. C the Slide Man – a hip hop personality from Chicago, more precisely a DJ and a songwriter, who had a global hit in the year 2000, titled “Casper Slide part 2” and popularly known as “Cha Cha Slide”. The song was created for aerobic exercises at fitness, and is truly funny. Unluckily, in January 2016 DJ Casper was diagnosed with two types of cancer, not subject to surgical reduction. He survived for about 7 years and a half thanks to chemotherapy. However, sadly, DJ Casper died on August 7, 2023, at the age of 58.
DJ Chris Ho, alias X’Ho, born Chris Ho Wai Chee – a prominent personality of pop culture in Singapore, and a veteran radio DJ on Radio Lush 99.5 FM and on Gold 905. Chris was the founder and the leader of the movement named alt-rock, fundamental in spreading new wave punk all over Singapore. He was openly queer, and, according to his wills, I must report that he was aged “forever 27”. Chris passed away on September 27, 2021, from stomach cancer.
DJ Chris King – a British promoter of Northern Soul, a successful singer and music producer, and a Northern Soul DJ. His production titled “KWS – please don’t go” won the Brit Award as the “Best British Newcomer”, and topped the British charts in 1993. Sadly, Chris died on March 22, 2023, at the age of 66.
DJ Christopher “Chris” Faust – a German DJ from Hannover, who, reportedly, was an international professional in the field of underground hip hop, and, hard to believe, a “skilled rapper”. Despite, almost no one on the web is talking about him as a DJ, while there are a lot of sites about his scandalous death in Krabi, Thailand. A brief warning, there’s another DJ Chris Faust active on the web, from Brooklyn USA, and thus I can’t bet about the correctness of the information I’ve found. The German DJ, Christopher Faust, died in 2019 at 39, during a “secret holiday” in Thailand, not known by his friends and by his parents. For the German police, he was a missing person, until the discovery of his dead body. Faust’s death was provoked by a sex game gone wrong, with a Thai prostitute. Reportedly, the local police had initially thought about a suicide, even though strange indeed, given the circumstances of the death. The name of the prostitute is still unknown, and I’m skeptic about a strong will to find her of local authorities. In conclusion, sometimes all your lifetime can be changed into the memory of your death, it’s a sad and unpleasant occurrence. I would like to cite a proverb in ancient Latin, “nomen omen”; in this case, Mr. Faust has had a destiny that’s a little bit Faustian.
DJ Christopher “Chris” Faust – a German DJ from Hannover, who, reportedly, was an international professional in the field of underground hip hop, and, hard to believe, a “skilled rapper”. Despite, almost no one on the web is talking about him as a DJ, while there are a lot of sites about his scandalous death in Krabi, Thailand. A brief warning, there’s another DJ Chris Faust active on the web, from Brooklyn USA, and thus I can’t bet about the correctness of the information I’ve found. The German DJ, Christopher Faust, died in 2019 at 39, during a “secret holiday” in Thailand, not known by his friends and by his parents. For the German police, he was a missing person, until the discovery of his dead body. Faust’s death was provoked by a sex game gone wrong, with a Thai prostitute. Reportedly, the local police had initially thought about a suicide, even though strange indeed, given the circumstances of the death. The name of the prostitute is still unknown, and I’m skeptic about a strong will to find her of local authorities. In conclusion, sometimes all your lifetime can be changed into the memory of your death, it’s a sad and unpleasant occurrence. I would like to cite a proverb in ancient Latin, “nomen omen”; in this case, Mr. Faust has had a destiny that’s a little bit Faustian.
DJ Ciaran Duffy – a well-known DJ of the techno-house scene of Europe from Belfast, Ireland, who was appreciated by the superstar DJ Carl Cox. He was a resident DJ in Belfast, and a guest DJ in Ibiza and in London. In the year 2008, he formed a DJ duo named “Brisboys”, together with John Manning, active on Radio 1, and author of many productions of house music. They say that Ciaran was strong, tall, healthy, handsome, and lucky with ladies. However, back from fitness, he was found dead at home, on March 21, 2019. Ciaran was 35. The cause of the death is suspected cardiac arrest, not officially confirmed.
DJ D Baby born Darian Lewis – despite of the young age, she was a celebrity DJ in Houston Texas, who also worked for some stars of the hip-hop scene. On July 4, 2022, she was together with her girlfriend at Camden apartments. The girlfriend declared that Darian was drunk. Reportedly, around 5 a.m., Darian accidentally fell from the 13th floor balcony onto the 9th floor pool deck, and was carried in a rush at local hospital. Sadly, she died on July 13, 2022, aged only 23.
DJ Dan aka Danny Sharma – a popular DJ from Uxbridge London, and the club secretary for Handmondsworth FC. He died from COVID-19 on March 27, 2020, intensive care unit in Hammersmith. He has distinguished himself for appreciated social commitment. DJ Dan died on the same day of DJ Liam Downing, a professional in Leeds UK, due to the same pathology. Given that, according to my findings, until March 15, 2021, 14 DJs are dead from COVID-19, despite of shutdown measures established by governments, I’ve got another small data to confirm the total ineffectiveness of similar measures, which is largely proven by factual evidences. So, in the name of God, let people die while doing their own job activity.
DJ Deckstream, alias Monorisick, alias Rahze – a Japanese-born hip-hop artist, sorry I wasn’t able to find the birth name. He was from Sakata, and gained a global notoriety as a radio and nightclub DJ in Tokyo. Paradoxically, as a member of the independent record label “Hideout Productions”, DJ Deckstream was a part of productions such as “lyrical terrorist”, although, reportedly, he spoke little English. Well, I don’t know how he was able to do that, they say that Dockstream was “very expressive”. Deckstream died in 2015 in a road accident, aged 38.
DJ Deeon “Debo” Boyd – a disco DJ from Chicago since the early 80’s, who became a house music producer in the year 1994. He was devoted to the TR-909, and his musical style was minimal and raunchy, so that his music has been defined “ghetto house”. In the year 2020, because of a COVID-19 infection, he went to intensive care unit with pneumonia, and hardly survived, after an amputation. In the following years, he had big economic problems. DJ Deeon died on July 18, 2023, at the age of 56. The cause of the death is undisclosed.
DJ Delete, born Ryan Christopher Biggs – a pivotal DJ of the hardstyle scene in Netherlands, born in Australia, and based in Waalwijk, Netherlands. DJ Delete lived and worked in Netherlands for 9 years. In the year 2018, he became a record producer, and released his first LP. Unluckily, after having gained the nickname of “King of Gated Kicks”, DJ Delete started to struggle with depression, a mental condition that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2022, he posted on his favorite social network the following phrase: “my rebirth process has begun”. A few days later, on April 30, 2022, his dead body was found at home in Waalwijk. DJ Delete was 35. No cause of death has been revealed, but local police considered the death as “not suspicious”.
DJ Derek Serpell-Morris – a legend of Bristol UK. For more than 40 years, the most popular reggae DJ at pubs, clubs, and music festivals. British music personalities have defined DJ Derek as “an ambassador for cultural change”. The final song of his DJ sets mostly was “Bob Marley – one love”. He disappeared in July 2015, and his remains were found in March 2016, in advanced state of decomposition, and in undergrowth near the commercial center named “The Mall”. Authorities have not established the cause of the death, that remains a mystery. The corpse was recognized due to DNA tests. Everyone on the web is still saying that DJ Derek didn’t deserve to die that way. Perhaps, there will be a tribute page in the blog, in honor of DJ Derek.
DJ Digital – a popular Kenyan club DJ, who deceased in the year 2016. Local press has remembered him for something truly rare in individualists, such as the DJs, the coexistence of magical skills and of humility. Many I know should learn from DJ Digital.
DJ Derek Serpell-Morris – a legend of Bristol UK. For more than 40 years, the most popular reggae DJ at pubs, clubs, and music festivals. British music personalities have defined DJ Derek as “an ambassador for cultural change”. The final song of his DJ sets mostly was “Bob Marley – one love”. He disappeared in July 2015, and his remains were found in March 2016, in advanced state of decomposition, and in undergrowth near the commercial center named “The Mall”. Authorities have not established the cause of the death, that remains a mystery. The corpse was recognized due to DNA tests. Everyone on the web is still saying that DJ Derek didn’t deserve to die that way. Perhaps, there will be a tribute page in the blog, in honor of DJ Derek.
DJ Digital – a popular Kenyan club DJ, who deceased in the year 2016. Local press has remembered him for something truly rare in individualists, such as the DJs, the coexistence of magical skills and of humility. Many I know should learn from DJ Digital.
DJ Dimplez, born Tomi Mooi – I beg your pardon, DJ Dimplez was an excellent rapper, but the biographies I’ve found are not equally excellent. For instance, the birth name, according to a source, was “Abie Dimplez”. Well, he was for sure a South African DJ of the hip-hop genre, a radio host, and a rapper. He travelled to the USA, where collaborated with Nas and Lupe Fiasco. DJ Dimplez also worked to support the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Unluckily he died in March 2022, from a car crash. The age at the day of the death is uncertain, and controversial. Some say 26, other 28, and a source reports the date of the birth as June 21, 1989. I humbly deduce that, if the date of the birth was correct, DJ Dimplez would be dead at 32.
DJ Domingo, born Domenico Narder – a former DJ of fashionable nightclubs, such as the “Movida” in Lido di Jesolo Italy, especially popular in the 90’s. Recently, DJ Domingo became a construction painter. Sadly, he died at home in January 2022, aged 58, from a “malore” (possibly, a heart attack).
DJ Doris, born Paul Norris – a Scotland native, who was an international DJ of nightclubs in China, Spain, Greece, Hong Kong, and Thailand. In 2008, he became a partner and a founding shareholder of Phuket Island Radio 91.5 FM, where he gained a large popularity as a radio DJ, and a radio producer. His favorite music was that of Muse, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Wonder, and De La Soul. He appreciated Thai green curry, and was a lover of Coral Island. Sadly, on January 12, 2014, DJ Doris had a motorcycle accident at high speed in Chalong area, colliding with an airport taxi, and died at local hospital. He was 45, and his corpse has been repatriated in Scotland.
DJ Ducasse, born Karabo Mokanyane – a popular, female DJ from South Africa, who died at 24 on December 29, 2021. Honestly, after having read all I’ve found on the web about Miss Ducasse, I can only tell that the cause of the death has been described as “complications related to an abdominal surgery”. A lot of messages of condolence have been posted, filled with appreciation for the nice personality of the unlucky girl.
DJ Enrico, born Enrico Michele Pontarolo – a rock DJ of nightclubs from Tombolo near Padua, Italy, who made various thousand persons dance to the sound of vinyl records. Around the end of the millennium, he fell ill from cancer, was recovered, and survived without symptoms for about 20 years. DJ Enrico had a wife and two daughters, and for that started a parallel activity of warehouse worker. In September, 2017, he was diagnosed with cancer again, and in February, 2018, died at the hospital of Cittadella, aged 44. DJ Enrico was a big fan of the singer Dolores O’Riordan, who died a few days before him. The news of her death increased sadness and pain to him.
DJ Ewan Macleod – a Scottish radio DJ, TV personality, and a manager of independent record labels, with a decades-long career. Ewan attempted to create a museum, the Scottish Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame, but the project failed despite of many resources collected and of the interest of celebrities, such as Annie Lennox and Midge Ure. I greatly appreciated the Anglo-Saxon humor of one of his friends, that, as a tribute to the lost friend, posted on the web that Ewan “put Scotland on the map”! Ewan was the victim of a sudden death in December 2020, at 48, the causes are “unexplained but non-suspicious”. So, even Scottish authorities might have a sense of humor, of course, black humor.
DJ Fabio XB aka Fabio Carrara – an international DJ of nightclubs since the year 1995, and a successful music producer, from the small village of Selvino, near the Italian town of Bergamo, active in Italy, Netherlands, England, Germany, and Indonesia. Fabio had been fighting against leukemia for 5 years. During his daily fight, he has always been a bringer of optimism and hope, especially on social networks. In the 2019, Fabio lost the war and died, aged 44. More than a good DJ, we have lost a great man.
DJ Fatman, born Orazio Coccia – for decades, the top DJ at nightclubs in Rome, who collaborated with prestigious discotheques all over Italy, and with superstar DJs. He started the career as a radio DJ on Radio Centro Suono, and never abandoned the passion of proposing dance music on local radios. Some of the nightclubs where DJ Fatman performed: Alien, Alpheus, Arabesk, Cellophane, Club 69, Cyborg, Fixx, Open Gate, Orion, Palladium, Party in the Wood, Peter Pan, Piper, Prince, Radio Londra, Red Zone, Room 26, Uonna Club. Alas, Orazio died in April 2023, at the age of 56. I didn’t find anything about the cause of the death.
DJ Fency aka Federico Farinella – the resident DJ of the “Arlecchino” nightclub, near Bologna Italy, from 2005 to 2017, when he died at 48. The Arlecchino is a peculiar place, where you can still dance vinyl records in a funky and disco style, strictly inspired to the classics of the 70s and the 80s. Federico was a passionate collector of records, emotionally bound to the tunes of the NYC underground disco, described by the journalist Vince Aletti in the “Disco Files”. As it seems, DJ Fency was hired thanks to a cassette tape, strangely, ten years after he had recorded it. You see, in the disco world nostalgia is a big thing.
DJ Fency aka Federico Farinella – the resident DJ of the “Arlecchino” nightclub, near Bologna Italy, from 2005 to 2017, when he died at 48. The Arlecchino is a peculiar place, where you can still dance vinyl records in a funky and disco style, strictly inspired to the classics of the 70s and the 80s. Federico was a passionate collector of records, emotionally bound to the tunes of the NYC underground disco, described by the journalist Vince Aletti in the “Disco Files”. As it seems, DJ Fency was hired thanks to a cassette tape, strangely, ten years after he had recorded it. You see, in the disco world nostalgia is a big thing.
DJ Filip Master, born Filippo Giuseppe Marzatico – he was a very young, international DJ of nightclubs, from Casoria, a small town near Naples. His death has shocked many persons in Campania region. Filippo was at home, for a barbecue with his parents. He set fire to charcoal in the barbecue, for roasting some corncobs, but, sadly, employed a wrong praxis, largely spread, the utilization of ethyl alcohol. Filippo was suddenly enveloped by flames, and suffered from burns on the 40% of the body. Despite of a painful status, he was able to enter without help inside the ambulance, that carried him to the nearest hospital. After some time, he was transferred to the main hospital of Naples. Surprisingly, in a few days, Filippo died, in July 2022. He was aged only 20. His father has thought that something went wrong at the hospital, and that Filippo received bad medical assistance. Thus, local authorities have started a criminal investigation, involving 6 persons of the personnel of the hospital.
DJ Flexy Naija, born Eze Francis – a hype man at nightclubs in Nigeria, and the voice behind the Nigerian dance hit titled “Dorime”. He was poisoned to death at the club, and died aged 31, on Saturday July 3, 2021. Eze was active on social networks, and, according to a theory, the reason for his poisoning was to have shared a cryptic post, about being envied. The theory reinforces my opinion about social networks.
DJ Frank Carpentieri, born Francesco Carpentieri – a nightclub DJ from Naples, who worked in Ibiza. Thanks to the friendship with some Neapolitan musicians, he became a producer, a remixer, and a composer of themes and soundtracks for a show of the Italian national broadcasting company (RAI), named “Made in Sud”. As a producer and remixer, DJ Frank collaborated with popular bands and musicians, such as Almamegretta, Velvet, Subsonica, Enzo Avitabile, Clementino, and Rocco Hunt. Unluckily, he fell ill from cancer, and, after a long struggle, died on September 29, 2023, at the age of 47.
DJ Froggy aka Steven Howlett – to be not confused with Mick “Froggy” Taylor, one of the DJs of the legendary nightclub “Catacombs”. I suspect to have found some incorrect data about the biography of Steven Howlett, depending on the large popularity of Mick “Froggy” Taylor. I’m sorry for reporting eventual mistakes. Steve Howlett was a disco DJ of nightclubs, following the fashion of the disco pioneers of New York City, from whom he learned to mix records on the beat, they say, by travelling to NYC nightclubs in the year 1979, including the “Paradise Garage”. For what I’ve understood, Steven Howlett has pioneered the cited DJ technique in Britain, they say, starting from the year 1979. His favorite genres were soul, disco, and jazz-funk. During the lifetime, Steven has been married for 3 times. He died in the year 2008, aged 58, of a brain hemorrhage.
DJ Gabriel aka Mitchell Hearns – a regional, eccentric, radio personality based in St. Louis, and a legendary mainstay on KDHX (88.1 FM), where he hosted a late-night Sunday show named “Gabriel’s Tin Pan Alley”. He was also a trumpeter, and the owner of a record shop. DJ Gabriel was an encyclopedic connoisseur of American music, and a lover of blues and gospel. The DJ activity lasted from 1952 to the death in 2018, at 88. DJ Gabriel never had a rigid playlist, he liked free-form programming. He also was the leader of a local band, Gabriel and Band of Angels. Perhaps, even nowadays he is playing in a similar band, in paradise. The personal story of DJ Gabriel has remembered to me a friend of mine, another free-form radio DJ, let me name him “DJ Tremendous”, who played only vinyl 7” at 45 RPM, that he used to pick randomly up from a long, wooden box. DJ Tremendous was sure to recognize the record from the first musical notes, but, occasionally, he failed. So, he was forced to read the label while speaking at the microphone, directly from the vinyl 7”, during the rotations on the turntable! His comic efforts were accompanied by extemporaneous presentations, filled with meaningless meanings, and great appreciations for a song that, possibly, he had never heard before. “It’s a fantastic piece!”, DJ Tremendous said, but, unluckily, it was something like a horrible cacophony. That’s why I am skeptic about free-form programming.
DJ Giddy aka Michael Hollingworth – a popular DJ in Cleethorpes, UK, and a native in the same locality, who reportedly was “obsessed with music”, and a performer on CD decks in local clubs. According to the declarations of his former partner, the mother of his 2-years-old son, DJ Giddy used to drank all the time, every night. He died in 2019, at 42, and a post mortem found lethal levels of cocaine, alongside low concentrations of morphine, codeine, fentanyl, and diazepam. That bad night, he also drank a liter of his favorite liquor, vodka. What can I say? Evidently, DJ Giddy needed sanitary and psychologic help. Sadly, as experts know, you can’t help an adult who doesn’t want to help himself.
DJ Giolaser, born Guido Fanti – a DJ of many nightclubs in the Liguria region of Italy, born in the small town of Sestri Levante. His kind of music was EDM, classic techno. Sadly, Guido died in 2018 from a cancer, aged 61.
DJ Giuseppe Spampinato – a former Sicilian DJ, active in the 80s, who had been performing in the best nightclubs of Catania and of Taormina. He died in 2019 at 65, while riding his motorcycle on the way to work. Sadly, he had a violent crash with a garbage truck, and died immediately after the impact. Two observations: many people in the world are still at work after the age of 65, to all of them I suggest to avoid dangerous vehicles, such as motorcycles; at the moment of the death, Giuseppe was wearing a regular motorcycle helmet for his safety, unluckily no helmet makes you immortal. In my opinion, the best devices for drivers’ safety are three: extreme attention, adequate prudence, and good luck.
DJ Giuseppe Spampinato – a former Sicilian DJ, active in the 80s, who had been performing in the best nightclubs of Catania and of Taormina. He died in 2019 at 65, while riding his motorcycle on the way to work. Sadly, he had a violent crash with a garbage truck, and died immediately after the impact. Two observations: many people in the world are still at work after the age of 65, to all of them I suggest to avoid dangerous vehicles, such as motorcycles; at the moment of the death, Giuseppe was wearing a regular motorcycle helmet for his safety, unluckily no helmet makes you immortal. In my opinion, the best devices for drivers’ safety are three: extreme attention, adequate prudence, and good luck.
DJ Grisu, born Luca Grison – a nightclub DJ from Veneto Italy, who worked in Vicenza and in Sottomarina, where he used to play music of the 70’s and the 80’s. The story of his death is rather embarrassing, so let me omit some details. Well, Luca died in 2013, aged 46, because of a violent collision of his motorbike on a wall.
DJ GSpook born Pedro Gonzales – a Latino hip-hop musician and radio DJ, who nicknamed himself “The Krazy Mexican”. He was a prominent radio personality in Dallas TX, on the radio stations K104 FM, and 97.9 FM The Beat. GSpook was well-known and appreciated for a vibrant oratory. In 2017, he miraculously recovered from a serious heart attack, despite of the opposite opinion of physicians. However, sadly, in March 2021 GSpook fell into a rare infection, called methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and died, at the age of 39.
DJ Guido Osorio – a dance DJ, one of the members of the DJ duo named “Razor N’ Guido”, together with DJ Razor (true name Peter Osback), based in Long Island, and jumped to the New York house scene, after some successful productions. The duo gained fame with a remix of Robert Miles – fable, an Italian production of techno-trance music of the 90’s. Unluckily, Guido Osorio died from a sudden heart attack on Saturday, February 20, 2016, at the age of 46.
DJ Hernan Guillermo “Pablo” Vellutini Del Rio – I’m sorry, after having read dozen press articles, I can only tell that he was a Peruvian-born DJ, who died in Italy in 2013, at 46. However, there is still a criminal investigation about his death. Briefly, DJ Pablo went to the Hospital of Senigallia, and declared of having violently hit the ground with the head. The doctors said that everything was ok. Three days after, DJ Pablo worsened, so he went back to the Hospital, where they diagnosed a cerebral commotion, but it was too late to save him, and the day after he died. The judge investigated 6 doctors of the Hospital, without acquiring anything useful to a formal accusation. Then a conational of DJ Pablo, suspect of drug trafficking, was also suspected of beating to death DJ Pablo. No evidence has already been found. As an Italian citizen, with my heart filled of sadness, I have to say that in Italy there are dozens mafia organizations, coming from many countries of the world. In the meanwhile, the specialized structures against “the mafia” are only persecuting some Italian politicians, belonging to the political opposition, for true, or alleged, criminal activities. Where is the true mafia? Believe me, neo-Communist mafia exists.
DJ Hernan Guillermo “Pablo” Vellutini Del Rio – I’m sorry, after having read dozen press articles, I can only tell that he was a Peruvian-born DJ, who died in Italy in 2013, at 46. However, there is still a criminal investigation about his death. Briefly, DJ Pablo went to the Hospital of Senigallia, and declared of having violently hit the ground with the head. The doctors said that everything was ok. Three days after, DJ Pablo worsened, so he went back to the Hospital, where they diagnosed a cerebral commotion, but it was too late to save him, and the day after he died. The judge investigated 6 doctors of the Hospital, without acquiring anything useful to a formal accusation. Then a conational of DJ Pablo, suspect of drug trafficking, was also suspected of beating to death DJ Pablo. No evidence has already been found. As an Italian citizen, with my heart filled of sadness, I have to say that in Italy there are dozens mafia organizations, coming from many countries of the world. In the meanwhile, the specialized structures against “the mafia” are only persecuting some Italian politicians, belonging to the political opposition, for true, or alleged, criminal activities. Where is the true mafia? Believe me, neo-Communist mafia exists.
DJ I_O, aka Glock, aka Fawks, born Garrett Falls Lockhart – a prolific producer of the EDM scene, born in Virginia and based in LA. He gained notoriety while he was a student at the George Washington University, by producing many dubstep tracks, under the nickname of Glock. Successively, he became a nightclub DJ and a producer of techno music, in the Los Angeles area. During his short and successful life, he collaborated with superstar DJs, such as Deadmau5 and Armin van Buuren. Unluckily, he suffered from a kind of chronic thyroid inflammation, that gave him anxiety and depression. As a consequence of the medical condition, DJ I_O died on November 23, 2020, from fatal arrhythmia. He was only 30.
DJ Ian Bell – a versatile nightclub DJ since the 80’s, from Adelaide Australia, who was a pop culture expert, a record shop owner, a music writer, and a photographer. According to all of the articles I’ve found, he was a lovely and kind person. Ian Bell suddenly died in Paris on May 2, 2023, from a heart attack, at the age of 60, while he was travelling towards Liverpool, for attending the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. He is survived by a wife, a daughter, and two sisters.
DJ Ian “Langy” Lang – a professional born in the year 1967, who lived and worked in Malta for 30 years. Everyone on the web call him a “Maltese DJ”. He worked at nightclubs (Styx II, Axia, and Numero Uno), and on the local most popular radio, 89.7 Bay Radio. Ian died in May 2022, aged 55, the cause of the death has not been published. Everything knowable about his personal life is that he has left behind a wife and three kids.
DJ Igli Dodoli – a popular man from Livorno Italy, perhaps the only professional garbage man in the world, who also performed as a dance DJ in nightclubs, for various young generations. As a DJ, he is remembered for his work at the “Maroccone” nightclub, during the 80s and the 90s, and at the “Kalua” nightclub, starting from the 2000s and until the death. He died in 2017 in the Hospital of Livorno, at 67, as a consequence of a metastasis. Luckily, given that in Italy there’s a survivor’s pension, before the death he achieved retirement, because he has left a wife, a daughter, and two nephews. DJ Igli has been selecting music of almost all the danceable music genres, even slow dances, and has been a fan of the Pink Floyd. Many people of Livorno own one or more cassette, mixed by DJ Igli. If you’re not very skilled at the DJ’s techniques, you should consider DJ Igli’s praxes. For your information, in my lifetime, I’ve heard 4 or 5 DJs I can truly define “very skilled”, the percentage is about 1 on 3000.
DJ Igli Dodoli – a popular man from Livorno Italy, perhaps the only professional garbage man in the world, who also performed as a dance DJ in nightclubs, for various young generations. As a DJ, he is remembered for his work at the “Maroccone” nightclub, during the 80s and the 90s, and at the “Kalua” nightclub, starting from the 2000s and until the death. He died in 2017 in the Hospital of Livorno, at 67, as a consequence of a metastasis. Luckily, given that in Italy there’s a survivor’s pension, before the death he achieved retirement, because he has left a wife, a daughter, and two nephews. DJ Igli has been selecting music of almost all the danceable music genres, even slow dances, and has been a fan of the Pink Floyd. Many people of Livorno own one or more cassette, mixed by DJ Igli. If you’re not very skilled at the DJ’s techniques, you should consider DJ Igli’s praxes. For your information, in my lifetime, I’ve heard 4 or 5 DJs I can truly define “very skilled”, the percentage is about 1 on 3000.
DJ Jack lo Squartatore (Jack the Ripper), born Mario Faravelli – a passionate disco DJ from Liguria Italy, remembered as the resident DJ of the “Piscina dei Castelli” in the 80’s, and as a speaker of Radio Eclisse 82. The nickname came from his irreverent personal character, that I would like to define “punk”. Behind the apparent aggressiveness, he was a good man. Mario died in June 2023, at the age of 59.
DJ Janette Slack – a talented, sexy and beautiful woman born in Hong Kong, popular as the resident DJ of the Torture Garden in London, the best fetish nightclub all over the world. She started the career in the 90’s, as an employee at a record shop in London, and, after the cited residency, became a record producer, an editor of Mixmag, and the owner of a music school in Hong Kong. Her kinds of music were prog-house, tech-funk, and breakbeat. She collaborated with the Utah Saints, one of my favorite house music bands. Alas, Janette died suddenly and unexpectedly on November 13, 2022, at the age of 42. The cause of the death is unrevealed. I’m thinking about a tribute page in the blog.
DJ Jasmin Basar – a female radio DJ from Manila Philippines, and an appreciated voice of MOR 101.9 FM. Jasmin featured two successive shows, “Dear Jasmin” and “Dear MOR”, during which she used to give love advice to letter senders. She was a graduate from Far Eastern University (FEU), in mass communication. Around the year 2018 she fell ill from chronic kidney disease, and went to dialysis for about 1 year. Unluckily, Jasmin died in 2019, aged 35. From me to Jasmin, a special thought and a prayer, because my dad died in 1997, after more than 20 years of dialysis.
DJ Jason Kaye, born Jason Kyriakides – a highly respected DJ and influential producer of the rave scene in the UK, of Greek Cypriot descent. He started the career in the 80’s, as a member of the rave crew named Top Buzz. In the 90’s, Jason founded a team of producers, the Ordinary People, and the record label Social Circles. According to all the posts I’ve found, he was a gentleman, and a creator of opportunities for many artists and DJs. Unluckily, Jason died in March 2023, at the age of 54, no cause of death has been disclosed. I think that in my record collection there are a pair of productions of the Ordinary People, and I remember one of the two, “perfectly Ordinary People”, a tune belonging to the classics of acid house.
DJ Jeni Gipe, born Jennifer L. Gusler – a “consummate” radio DJ from Pennsylvania US, who started the career on WMSS 91.1 FM (Super 91), a student-running station. She was a well-known host on River 97.3 FM, for about two decades. Sadly, Jennifer died on May 1, 2023, from complications of cancer, at the age of 59.
DJ Jess Marquis, born Jess Immler – a native of Los Angeles, who in early 2000’s went to New York for studying at local University. In 2 or 3 years, his life changed, and he became a DJ, organizer, and promoter of dancing Parties. The most popular party was named “Trash Party”, was based on electro-house and Indie rock, and was dedicated to “alternative crowds”. The “Trash Party” series went on until 2014. More than that, around the year 2004, DJ Jess became the resident DJ at Webster Hall, and a prolific remixer. He died in April, 2015, I can’t add anything more. Well, about 15 years of career have been enough to leave a trace into the NYC nightlife, it means that DJ Jess was an artist of the mixer.
DJ Joe Violanti, born Sergio Violanti – one of the best radio DJs of Italy, from Fidenza, near to the town of Parma. He was a funny entertainer on the top radios, such as RTL, RDS, Rete 105, RAI Radio 2, Radio Kiss Kiss, and formed the successful comic duo Charlie & Joe, together with the popular actor Charlie Gnocchi, who was like a brother for him. Joe was various times awarded, but had a legal controversy with a top journalist of political correctness, Mr. Michele Santoro, because of a harmless and candid satire. Unluckily, DJ Joe Violanti died from a cancer on February 6, 2023, at the age of 63.
DJ Johnny Kennedy – a legendary radio DJ and a true gentleman from Everton UK, who gained a large popularity in the Liverpool area from being a singer, a comedian, an actor, an academic, a beloved teacher, and a notable charity fundraiser. In the field of entertainment, he collaborated with Radio City, Dune FM, Wirral Radio, and River Radio. DJ Kennedy died on January 24, 2024, after a long illness, when he was 88. You should not confound the dead gentleman with DJ John Kennedy, still alive and active on Radio X, UK.
DJ Jotamayùscula, born Jesùs Bibang Gonzàles – a DJ and producer from Madrid, who was a pioneer of hip-hop in Spain. From 1998 to 2020, he was the director of a popular radio program, titled “El Rimandero”, on RNE3, a national radio of Spain. Jesùs was a member of an ensemble of rappers, whose expressive name sounds like “violent poets”. Unluckily, in September 2020 Jesùs passed away from a cardiac pathology, perhaps heart attack, or heart failure. He was 48. As you can read, in Latin countries hip-hop is a favorite way to express protests, or social criticisms. Be warned, the same happens rarely in the homeland of hip-hop, the USA.
DJ Junebug – a legendary DJ from the Bronx, one of the 4 men credited to be the fathers of hip-hop, who in the late 70s were performing at the Club 371, Junebug himself, together with Eddie “Cheeba” Cheba, Reggie Wells, and DJ Hollywood. Thanks to the fame of being a fantastic DJ, in the early 80s DJ Junebug was stolen away from the Club 371 by the manager Sal Abbatiello, and became the resident DJ of the “Disco Fever” nightclub, at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, South Bronx. The story of the life and death of DJ Junebug is contained in the 2010 film “White Lines And The Fever: The Death Of DJ Junebug”. No doubt that he was a great DJ, unluckily he also was a cocaine dealer, a true star of the so called “Cocaine Era” in NYC.
DJ Junebug – a legendary DJ from the Bronx, one of the 4 men credited to be the fathers of hip-hop, who in the late 70s were performing at the Club 371, Junebug himself, together with Eddie “Cheeba” Cheba, Reggie Wells, and DJ Hollywood. Thanks to the fame of being a fantastic DJ, in the early 80s DJ Junebug was stolen away from the Club 371 by the manager Sal Abbatiello, and became the resident DJ of the “Disco Fever” nightclub, at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, South Bronx. The story of the life and death of DJ Junebug is contained in the 2010 film “White Lines And The Fever: The Death Of DJ Junebug”. No doubt that he was a great DJ, unluckily he also was a cocaine dealer, a true star of the so called “Cocaine Era” in NYC.
DJ JV born Jeffrey Vandergrift – a popular radio host on Wild 94.9, whose dead body has been found floating on the waters of San Francisco Bay, at Pier 39, in the month of March 2023. JV was suffering from Lyme disease, a condition that seriously compromises mental health. He missed from home since late February 2023, after having left a message to his wife, Mrs. Natasha Yi. Mrs. Yi didn’t expect JV back home alive. He was 55.
DJ Kaleb Freitas aka Kalleby Freitas da Rosa – a DJ of the EDM scene from Porto Alegre Brazil, who was a spectacular man of peace, and whose charming smile enlightened the crowds of Brazilian ravers. He died aged 30, on the 17th of December 2017, at 2 PM, because of a tragedy that occurred while he was performing on stage during the “Atmosphere Festival”, a rave in Esteio, near Porto Alegre. Despite of severe weather warnings, the Festival was going on, with an attendance of 5000 persons. Unfortunately, storm winds provoked the collapse of stage’s scaffolding, and DJ Kaleb Freitas was seriously injured at the head. Soon after that, he died at local hospital. Authorities have said that the Festival was pure madness, and that the tragedy could have been far worse. In effect, while metal objects were flying fast, all over the crowd and everywhere, only 3 persons were hit. Perhaps, the God of Storms protects ravers.
DJ Kay Slay, born Keith Grayson, nicknamed the Drama King – an artist born in NYC. In the 80’s he was a prominent graffiti artist, very interested in the emerging musical genre named “hip-hop”. In late 80’s, he was in jail for dealing narcotics. In the year 1993, DJ Kay Slay started a radio career on Hot 97, as a DJ and record producer of the hip-hop scene. In the year 2003, he released his first album. They say that Kay Slay is the author of more than 500 bootleg mixtapes. Unluckily, he fell ill from COVID-19, and, after some months of battle, died on April 17, 2022. DJ Kay Slay is the twenty-ninth DJ dead from COVID-19, and remembered in this page.
DJ Kenny Hawkes – a prominent DJ of the London house music scene, as a collaborator of Girls FM, and as the resident DJ of the nightclub Space, who had grown up in Brighton under the influence of Motown, ska, hip hop, and dub reggae. He abandoned school when only 18, and travelled for work towards obscure nightclubs, all over Europe. In late 80’s, Kenny’s career was greatly boosted by working at Girls FM, when the station became very popular, and launched 22 DJs, among which Kenny’s best friend, the superstar DJ Luke Solomon. Due to the successful residency at the Space, Kenny became a music producer, and in the year 2003 the track “Kenny Hawkes & Louise Carver – play the game” reached number one of the Belgian dance charts. Kenny died on June 10, 2011, at the age of 42, from an “illness” (I can’t add anything else), when he was still at work.
DJ Kill Bill alias Billy Watts – a DJ from Detroit who, in the year 2014, committed suicide by jumping into the Detroit River, when he was only 17. Before killing himself, DJ Kill Bill announced his suicide on social networks, and recorded a thematic mixtape, about someone splashing into a body of water. He had battled depression for a long time, without success. If you are feeling the same, my suggestion is apparently contradictory: don’t abandon those who love you or appreciate you, and ask them for some help, in order to find motivations inside yourself. Even the life of common persons can be useful.
DJ Kill Bill alias Billy Watts – a DJ from Detroit who, in the year 2014, committed suicide by jumping into the Detroit River, when he was only 17. Before killing himself, DJ Kill Bill announced his suicide on social networks, and recorded a thematic mixtape, about someone splashing into a body of water. He had battled depression for a long time, without success. If you are feeling the same, my suggestion is apparently contradictory: don’t abandon those who love you or appreciate you, and ask them for some help, in order to find motivations inside yourself. Even the life of common persons can be useful.
DJ Koray Alpergin – a well-known DJ of Turkish origin, active in the London area for many years. He was the former owner of Clicia café, and the owner of a radio station, named Bizim FM. DJ Koray was also a regular entertainer at Laz Camden, the Turkish restaurant managed by Salt Bae, an internet celebrity. He was a lovable person, and a friend to the rapper P Diddy. Sadly, on October 15, 2022, the burned and bruised corpse of Koray Alpergin was found in Loughton, Essex. British authorities have arrested 8 men for the torture and the murder of Mr. Alpergin. In the beginning of March 2023, criminal investigations have not been finished yet.
DJ Lady Aida, born Aida Spaninks – a Dutch pioneer of techno music, who has left a deep trace in the trance scene of Netherlands. She started the career in Eindhoven, at local bars and coffee shops, in the year 1985. In late 80’s, she became a techno DJ at cultural events, festivals, and a guest DJ at the best nightclubs all over Netherlands. She was still a DJ after her 60th birthday, and she was an appreciated teacher at a school for DJs in Eindhoven. Sadly, Lady Aida died in September 2021, aged 63, following a short illness.
DJ Lee Roy James Baptiste – a reggae DJ from the Republic of Seychelles, based in a small village named Mornico Al Serio, near to the Italian town of Bergamo. Lee Roy was very followed in the Bergamo area. One bad night in 2018, he was back home after an evening spent with some friends, and discovered of having forgotten the keys to the access door. Unfortunately, he decided of climbing towards a terrace, but lost the grip and fell down. Sadly, he violently hit the head to the ground, and died at 24. I know it might seem stupid but, on the territory of Italy, in case you forget the keys to your habitation, you can call the nearest firemen for help. Why not doing that?
DJ Leo El Moreno aka Leonardo Maffetti – sorry, I’ve got a lack of information; he was from Roncadelle, a small village near the town of Brescia Italy, and was an appreciated DJ of the salsa musical genre. El Moreno died in 2009, from a heart attack. He was active on the web, as a collaborator of the Italian portal “salsa.it”. Generally, I can say that Latin-tropical dances are old, possibly older than DJ Leo El Moreno, but still alive and kicking.
DJ Leo El Moreno aka Leonardo Maffetti – sorry, I’ve got a lack of information; he was from Roncadelle, a small village near the town of Brescia Italy, and was an appreciated DJ of the salsa musical genre. El Moreno died in 2009, from a heart attack. He was active on the web, as a collaborator of the Italian portal “salsa.it”. Generally, I can say that Latin-tropical dances are old, possibly older than DJ Leo El Moreno, but still alive and kicking.
DJ Lisa G, born Elizabeth Lopez and married Galvan – a popular radio DJ on KKFI Radio 90.1 Kansas City, and a mother of two. She regularly hosted a music show named “A Taste of Tejano”, rooted into the Latin culture of Texas. Alas, she was killed in the Kansas City mass shooting on February 14, 2024, while celebrating her beloved Kansas City Chiefs, after the super bowl. She was 43.
DJ Lisa Moody – an important DJ of the house music scene in Baltimore, as a member of the DJ duo named “The Girl Squad”, and a collaborator of artists such as Ultra Natè and Jody Watley. I have found many pages about her, but, sorry, almost nothing of the biography. I can only refer that she died in October 2021, the cause of the death is undisclosed. For what I have understood, she especially was a friendly kind of person.
DJ Lou “Louie” Divito – one of the best disco DJs of the golden age, who was born in New York and had been working in Chicago. He started his activity in 1978, at the “Dugan’s Bistro” discotheque in Chicago, a former gay bar. In 1979, he regularly mixed live on WLS-FM Chicago, for the Disco WDAI program. This way, he gained a national notoriety, and was awarded by the Billboard Magazine as “the number 1 disco DJ in Chicago”. He entered into the hall of fame of disco. Lou was a close friend to the legendary DJ Bobby Viteritti. He died in the early 90s, like many other superstar disco DJs in the USA. The cause of the death is not known by me, but I can figure it out. Even if I haven’t gained any notoriety, for ten years I have been done the same as DJ Louie Divito, on local radio stations.
DJ Lucy Stone – a talented, beautiful woman from Chelmsford Essex, who has been a DJ in top clubs, such as the Ministry of Sound, and the Hedkandi, and also a radio speaker. In January 2020, she was back to London, after a period of hard work in Dubai, and two consecutive separations from her boyfriends. Reportedly, she suffered from depression and bipolar disorder. One bad day, she sent a goodbye message to her family, and was found a few hours later by paramedics, with catastrophic injuries. She had jumped off the balcony of the flats at Palgrave House, Hampstead London. She died as a consequence of the fall, when she was only 38. London authorities have classified the episode as a suicide. Sadly, another potential wife of mine has forever gone away.
DJ Lou “Louie” Divito – one of the best disco DJs of the golden age, who was born in New York and had been working in Chicago. He started his activity in 1978, at the “Dugan’s Bistro” discotheque in Chicago, a former gay bar. In 1979, he regularly mixed live on WLS-FM Chicago, for the Disco WDAI program. This way, he gained a national notoriety, and was awarded by the Billboard Magazine as “the number 1 disco DJ in Chicago”. He entered into the hall of fame of disco. Lou was a close friend to the legendary DJ Bobby Viteritti. He died in the early 90s, like many other superstar disco DJs in the USA. The cause of the death is not known by me, but I can figure it out. Even if I haven’t gained any notoriety, for ten years I have been done the same as DJ Louie Divito, on local radio stations.
DJ Lucy Stone – a talented, beautiful woman from Chelmsford Essex, who has been a DJ in top clubs, such as the Ministry of Sound, and the Hedkandi, and also a radio speaker. In January 2020, she was back to London, after a period of hard work in Dubai, and two consecutive separations from her boyfriends. Reportedly, she suffered from depression and bipolar disorder. One bad day, she sent a goodbye message to her family, and was found a few hours later by paramedics, with catastrophic injuries. She had jumped off the balcony of the flats at Palgrave House, Hampstead London. She died as a consequence of the fall, when she was only 38. London authorities have classified the episode as a suicide. Sadly, another potential wife of mine has forever gone away.
DJ Luk, born Luciano Aliquò – a dance DJ from Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, a small town in Sicily. He was a local personality, very popular. Sadly, he fought for a long time against a terrible illness, although with Christian faith. Luciano maintained a lovable behavior, despite of the strong pain, typical of the illness. He died in June 2014, aged 34. After the requiem mass, there was a party in his honor, with music, and a lot of balloons, white and red, flying in the air. Luciano has left behind a wife and a son.
DJ Luka Ice, born Luca Galloni – a nightclub DJ from Tuscany. He worked even in the USA, as a helper of DJ Ago, Agostino Presta, who was his teacher and mentor, and, in the first half of the 80’s, a master producer of the Italo-disco genre in Rome. Luka Ice is remembered as the resident DJ of some venues in Tuscany, the names are Black Sun, Nuit, and Follia. He died suddenly in September 2021 while drinking a glass of water, at the age of 55, from a heart attack, without previous symptoms and totally unexpected.
DJ Lusky, born Lucia Santoro – a popular, international DJ of nightclubs for gays, born in Rome. She was the resident DJ of two clubs in Rome, the Gay Village, and the Meatpie. Lusky also was a collaborator of the musical magazine “Mucchio Selvaggio”, which is largely spread all over Italy. She started to be a DJ when she was 15, and the career lasted for more than 20 years. So, I deduce that she died nearly to the age of 36, on August 21, 2010. Honestly, I can’t tell much more, even if I’ve read a dozen articles. The only thing I can add is that I’ve seen a playlist by DJ Lusky, and I don’t know a single track of it. I beg your pardon, I think that her music was rather uncommon.
DJ Mallorca Lee – a Scottish techno DJ, and one of the two members of the band “Ultra-Sonic”, together with DJ Kid, that was successful all over the British rave scene in the 90’s. DJ Mallorca is remembered for the performances at the Fantazia Big Band, a legendary nightclub in the UK. Sadly, he died on February 4, 2024, from a cancer, at the age of 51. He has left behind a wife and two sons.
DJ Maniakal, born Tommy Wheeler – a native of Vermont, graduated from the University of Vermont, he received a bachelor’s degree in political science. After the studies, Tommy was a chef, and a bartender. In the early 2000’s, he discovered a passion for the DJ world, and became a nightclub DJ. After that, Tommy was an entrepreneur, as a planner/organizer of events based on dance parties. His favorite musical genres were pop and rap. He also created a DJ brand in San Francisco, US. Unluckily, years ago Tommy started a hard struggle with alcoholism, that led him to massive organ failure on August 19, 2021, at the age of 37. According to what I’ve found, he was a fantastic person, particularly good at heart. Alas, it seems true that the best persons are the first to depart from this world.
DJ Marcio aka Marcello Marsico – a myth of hip hop in Calabria region, southern Italy. Although he was very popular, so that an annual festival is held in his honor, the news about DJ Marcio’s biography are extremely scarce. He was a turntablist from Cosenza, deceased in July 2010, I can’t tell anything more. “Marcio” is translatable as “rotten”, and thus, sorry, it’s a nickname much more suitable to the punk music scene. For what I think, almost all of the hip hop artists from the USA, the homeland of hip hop, would be offended by a similar nickname, because hip hop is the pride to be different, with a pinch of complex of racial superiority.
DJ Marietto born Mario Angelo Ferrari – a part-time DJ, performing at nightclubs and private parties, from Cremona Italy, who was a retired worker, after having done many different jobs. Marietto, according to his friends, was single, and unlucky in love. Well, he used to travel to Thailand and Cuba, the reasons are imaginable. In October 2019, Marietto had a relationship with a Thai woman, and the jealous partner of her, Mr. Suchin Aumkate, shot Marietto to death. Marietto was 58. The crime was captured by surveillance cameras. In October 2020, the killer has been sentenced to 33 years of prison. So, I express my admiration for the judiciary system of Thailand, that has proven to be much more impartial and efficient than the Italian one.
DJ Mark Pilgrim – a veteran radio DJ and TV presenter, born in England, who had been living in South Africa since he was 9. During his 25-year-career, Mark hosted 10 shows on radio stations, of which Hot 102.7 was the final one. He was various times awarded, and entered the Radio Hall of Fame. However, Mark is especially known for health struggles. He won the battle against testicular cancer, heart attack, and Covid-19. Despite, sadly, in 2022 testicular cancer returned after 33 years in remission, and spread to lungs and kidneys. After some months, Mark died in March 2023, at the age of 53.
DJ Matt Corrigan – a DJ who worked at parties on the flats and beyond in Dublin for over three decades, very popular in the inner city. He was a dad-of-four, and the inability to perform, due to the restrictions bound to the SARS-COV-2 pandemic, provoked a severe form of depression, untreated. So, sadly, in May 2020 Matt was defeated by the mental condition, and lost his life. The fact shocked anyone that he knew, his family included.
DJ Mattia Capriotti – a young music lover residing in San Benedetto del Tronto, a beautiful village at seaside in Italy, who was a part-time DJ at local nightclubs, and a door-to-door salesman of frozen food, that he was asked of carrying with a refrigerated van. One bad day in the end of June 2023, Mattia was driving the refrigerated van, and had a minor accident with a car in a municipality named Monteprandone, near the town of Ascoli Piceno. While Mattia and the driver of the car were discussing along the road, another car came and violently hit Mattia. The young fought for his life for 2 days at the Hospital of Ascoli, but, sadly, died. He was 28.
DJ Max Morel, born Massimiliano Comparini – a popular DJ of nightclubs from Camaiore Italy, who was for 10 years the resident DJ of the “Capannina” in Forte dei Marmi, a venue well-known all over the world. He was also a session man drummer. Sadly, DJ Max Morel died in 2018, aged 45, after a long illness. He has left behind a wife and 4 children. Despite, they say that he’s dead in a state of serenity, thanks to a pilgrimage in Medjugorje.
DJ Maya Mayhem, alias Maya Otto – an international DJ and producer of techno music, born in NYC, who was based in Rome from 1996 to 2010, the year of the death. She was a vegetarian for 23 years, until the death, and a lover of cats. In effect, she died in December 2010, aged 30, because of the terrible impact with a fast train at the Casilina railway station, while she was trying to save one of her cats, that stood, paralyzed by fear, in the middle of the railroad tracks, after having escaped from home.
DJ Mayo aka Mario Cannillo – a DJ of nightclubs from Ravenna Italy, belonging to the “Afro” movement, and a master of Afro and reggae music. He was highly appreciated, and had a 20 year-career in nightclubs of the coast of Romagna, such as the Rock Planet, the Real, the Tikoa, and the New Age. In the last period of the lifetime he had health problems, not as severe as to paralyze Mayo’s professional activity. Despite, DJ Mayo fell into a deep state of depression, that he was able to hide. One bad day in August 2017, Mr. Mario Cannillo caused to himself many wounds, that led him to death. He was aged 46. The fact astounded anyone, including his fiancée.
DJ MC L.O.P.H., born Nwaozo Obiajulu – a talented DJ and musician from Nigeria, nicknamed the “Lord of Pure Hip-Hop”. MC L.O.P.H. became popular after the release of the song “Osondi Owendi”. Unluckily, he died in September 2011 from the consequences of a road accident, while travelling by car along the Benin-Ore expressway. MC L.O.P.H. was going to the celebration of a traditional wedding ceremony, together with his pregnant fiancée. The fiancée and her baby have survived.
DJ Midas, born Michael Adedoyin – a talented radio DJ in Nigeria, who worked from 1998 to 2016 on Silverbird’s Rhythm FM 93.7. He was jovial and skilled at the turntables. Michael died in September 2016, from malaria complications, aged 45. I don’t know whether he truly had a Midas’ touch or not, however, reportedly, he was able to foresee his own death, even if it was rather sudden and unexpected.
DJ Mighty Mouse, born Matthew Ward – an international DJ and a record producer of the house music scene, born in the UK and active since the beginning of the 2000’s. He made a regular appearance on BBC Radio 1, where he was appreciated by the legendary Annie Mac. DJ Mighty Mouse is remembered especially for the remix series named “Disco Circus”, and for the successful track of 2019 titled “spirit”. He suddenly died on October 20, 2022, at his home in Spain and during the sleep. Matthew was 48, and the official cause of the death is “aortic aneurysm”. I also tell that there’s a rumor, according to which he died immediately after a COVID-19 booster vaccine. Given that I’ve read the results of some studies of neutral scientists, I’m not really surprised of possible fatal reactions to certain new vaccines, that are necessarily cytotoxic.
DJ Mike Clark, born Michael David Clark – a Scottish sound engineer for the band Mal and the Primitives, who in the 60’s decided to live in Italy, near to the town of Rimini. He became a legendary pioneer DJ at the Paradiso nightclub in Rimini, from 1973 to 1980. After that, he worked as a record seller at the Dimar in Rimini, the most important record shop for DJs of Italy, and as a translator for various Italian musical magazines. He occasionally continued the profession of nightclub DJ until the year 2018, and always obtained a great appreciation. Unluckily, in the end of the year 2022, Mike fell and had a pelvic fracture. Sadly, he was recovered at the hospital of Rimini, and died on December 31, 2022, at the age of 77.
DJ Miss K born Makhosazana Masilela – an appreciated female DJ from Durban South Africa, whose career started in 2011, after the graduation at high school. She was active on radios, clubs, and local shows. One bad day in May 2021, she suddenly felt ill, and went to the hospital in Durban. Her mother declared that the illness didn’t seem to be serious. However, she didn’t leave the hospital alive. I can’t tell more about the illness, and I estimate that miss K aged approximately 30-40 on the day she died.
DJ Mr. Flower, born Cristiano Labartino – a DJ of nightclubs, from Lazio region, Italy, who worked in Italy, and in international places of tourism. Mr. Flower’s genres were house music of the 90’s, tribal house, and soulful house. Unluckily, he died from a vehicular accident along the highway A1, in March 2021, at the age of 46. Cristiano has left behind a wife and a son.
DJ Mr. Magic aka John Rivas – a historic personality of the hip hop world, from Brooklyn, who became the first radio DJ in the world to conduct a mix-show of rap, in the early eighties, thanks to the famous manager Frankie Crocker, together with Marley Marl and Fly Ty, and on New York’s WBLS (107.5). He started his radio career as a disco DJ, in 1979, and ended the same as a legend of rap, in 2002. I think he was one of the few DJs who had two simultaneous shows in two different cities, New York and Philadelphia. Sadly, on the 2nd of October 2009 he died from a heart attack, at 53. Mr. Magic’s biography is a confirmation that a notable part of the true pioneers of rap were Latinos from the Big Apple. Think also about Joe Bataan, the first artist to release a rap record, in 1978, the excellent “rap-o clap-o”.
DJ Nacha World aka Massimiliano Donadio – an Italian, transgender DJ, music producer, vocalist, and performer, who became an international DJ of nightclubs in the 90's. In the 2000's, she has been working as a DJ in the Milan fashion business. She was a Buddhist and an exquisite person. Sadly, Nacha died in December 2016, at 40. The causes of the death have not been revealed on the internet. Nacha’s kind of music, for what I’ve understood, was classic, up-tempo techno. Her name is bound to the history of the “Cocoricò” in Riccione, one of the most popular nightclubs all over Europe, for decades. Equally sadly, the “Cocoricò” has been definitely closed in June 2019, a clear symptom of the end of a happy era.
DJ Nathan Coles – a guru of tech house since the early 90’s, and for more than 10 years the resident DJ of the Fabric Club in London. He was also an influential producer of techno music, who collaborated with artists such as the Primal Scream. According to my readings, Nathan had a countercultural modus operandi, and was an acid house punk, able to become a vibe alchemist. Unluckily, due to the death of his beloved wife Louisa, in 2018 he was stuck with irrecoverable grief, that slowly lead him to a severe mental health crisis. On February 12, 2023, Nathan committed suicide, at the age of 52. He has left behind two sons. Well, behind the mask of the Ken Kesey of tech house, DJ Nathan Coles was kept alive by the love for his traditional family.
DJ Official I & II – DJ Official I (the Roman number is added by me) was Nelson J. Chu, a Christian hip hop artist born in the Bronx. He died in 2016 at 39, because of the unwanted consequences of a double lung transplant. DJ Official II (the Roman number is added by me) was Andre Wakefield Jr., the talented producer of the 1st Cardi B’s album. He died in 2019 at 26, shot to death in Los Angeles by the unknown members of a local gang. Anyone is saying that DJ Official II was not involved in any criminal activity. In every case, I suspect that the name “DJ Official” might bring some bad luck to hip hop artists. Perhaps, the rap needs to be a little bit unofficial, at least in something.
DJ Official I & II – DJ Official I (the Roman number is added by me) was Nelson J. Chu, a Christian hip hop artist born in the Bronx. He died in 2016 at 39, because of the unwanted consequences of a double lung transplant. DJ Official II (the Roman number is added by me) was Andre Wakefield Jr., the talented producer of the 1st Cardi B’s album. He died in 2019 at 26, shot to death in Los Angeles by the unknown members of a local gang. Anyone is saying that DJ Official II was not involved in any criminal activity. In every case, I suspect that the name “DJ Official” might bring some bad luck to hip hop artists. Perhaps, the rap needs to be a little bit unofficial, at least in something.
DJ Olivia Jaxx – a talented, beautiful, and young woman, who was a prominent DJ at nightclubs in London, such as Casita, Ritual, Mas Vida, Edge Events, 93 Feet East, and Ministry of Sound. She also employed her abilities as a music producer. Olivia’s DJ sets were absolutely flawless. Sadly, she died in February 2020. The sad news has been shared by her partner. Sorry, I can’t add more.
DJ Olu, born Oluwagbemiga Abiodun – the son of a Nigerian businessman, and a graduate of the Essex University, he became an official DJ of Davido’s HKN record label. They say that he had a high impact on the dance music scene of Lagos, and was inspirational for young Nigerians. Sadly, DJ Olu was found dead inside his car by the police, on Saturday October 7, 2017. He was only 24. The police suspected that the cause of the death was drugs abuse.
DJ Oscar Piattelli, born Oscar Moletta – a DJ and entertainer from Tombolo, a village near the Italian town of Padua, for more than 20 years. He was very funny, a true dialectal comedian, who nicknamed himself “pissio vocalist dei Dolliwood”, an untranslatable word pun. Sadly, Oscar died in March 2021, aged 40, after a long battle with a cancer.
DJ Otto, born Ottorino Casagrande – a good-hearted person born in Switzerland, and grown up in Belluno Italy. He was a popular nightclub DJ, a music producer, and a manager in the sector of private radios. As a DJ, he performed at the following venues: Blue Moon, Café Solaire (Milan), Concorde, Dodo’s, Papillon, Paradiso, and many others. As a producer, he launched the careen of a globally known singer, Mr. Mario Biondi. Sadly, DJ Otto died on October 15, 2021, from COVID-19, aged 62. He is the twenty-ninth DJ killed by the pandemic, and remembered on this page. The most important Italian newspapers, like vultures, have speculated on DJ Otto’s death, by evidencing that he was not vaccinated against the virus. As everyone can see, only the deaths of non-vaccinated people are largely advertised on press. Well, I can’t appreciate malicious news, so I underline that, in the first half of October 2021, an average number of 40 persons per day is dead in Italy from COVID-19. Given that, since September 2021, more than the 70% of Italians is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you can do the math and deduce that, in the same period, about 28 vaccinated persons per day are dead from COVID-19.
DJ Papi, born Nicola Alfonsi – a worker in the field of communications from Veneto Italy, who was active into local volunteer associations, as an organizer and a popular entertainer of public events. He fell victim of sudden cardiac death in March, 2023, at the age of 53. Nicola has left behind a wife and three daughters.
DJ Patrick Monaghan – a veteran radio DJ from Canada, whose name has been bound to a blues music show on Canoe FM, that lasted for decades. He was nicknamed the “Wolfman Jack of the Blues”, and many times awarded as a prominent promoter of blues music. Unluckily, Patrick died on July 26 (some say 25), 2023, at the age of 74 (it’s a deduction from the data I’ve found), after a 4-year battle against pancreatic and lung cancer. Generally, I would like to read tribute pages and commemorations more precise than the average ones.
DJ Peppe Wjan – a typical, jovial Sicilian, DJ at unknown nightclubs in Palermo. He died in December 2020, from the worsening of his precarious state of health, provoked by the consequences of a road accident. I’ve read a dozen press articles about him, and the reliable news about Peppe are still scarce. Some articles have affirmed that he was 52 at the date of the death, other articles contain “50”, and a pair of further articles have reported “51”. Given that the name is evidently a nickname, I can’t validly verify the news. As you know, Sicilians have always been stubborn defenders of their own privacy, and, as you can see, nothing is changing.
DJ Pete Jones – a pioneer of hip hop from the Bronx, who, in the 70s and the 80s, has been often taking the audience away from the mythic DJ Kool Herc. Sadly, DJ Pete died in 2014, at 79. Evidently, fame doesn’t always come to those who are the best. It happens in many fields, not only in the world of music.
DJ Pete Jones – a pioneer of hip hop from the Bronx, who, in the 70s and the 80s, has been often taking the audience away from the mythic DJ Kool Herc. Sadly, DJ Pete died in 2014, at 79. Evidently, fame doesn’t always come to those who are the best. It happens in many fields, not only in the world of music.
DJ Peter Harvey – a local legend in Crowborough UK, and a true pioneer of the disco era. He started a 50-years-career as a disco dance DJ in late 60’s. He also opened a shop known as “Peter’s Hi-Fi Sound Discotheques”. DJ Peter provided music to thousands parties and dances across Kent and Sussex. He died in February 2020, aged 90.
DJ Peter Johns – a Zimbabwean club DJ, since the year 1980, who became a radio DJ on Radio 3 (now Power FM) in Zimbabwe. He was nicknamed “the bad boy of ragga music”, “PJ the DJ”, and “The Radio Driver”. The titles of his most popular radio programs: “Coke on the Beat”, “Weekend Love”, and “Mellow Madness”. In 2002, in the middle of the Zimbabwean diaspora, he emigrated in the UK, where he continued the career of club DJ and radio DJ. In 2010, PJ had a cardiac arrest. In the following years, PJ also suffered from three strokes, and a heart attack. Sadly, in April 2020 he died, as a consequence of many health problems, aged 60.
DJ Pino Locos, born Giuseppe Lo Chiano – a DJ and organizer of events, who collaborated with Radio Gela, the local station of his birthplace. In Gela he is still very popular, and remembered by many persons. DJ Pino used to travel to northern Italy for work. Unluckily, he died in his sleep, in the month of August 2023, at the age of 39. Solidarity all around Gela is required for the survivors of Pino’s family, his wife and the baby daughter.
DJ Pollito, born Edwin Medardo Villafuerte Sagastume – a primary school teacher in Guatemala, who was also a nightclub owner and the DJ of the same, for about 20 years. DJ Pollito was shot dead in May 2022, during the celebration of San Isidro Labrador, for having refused to play a song requested by a drunk man, who became the killer. You should not confound DJ Pollito with Edwin Alberto Villafuerte Poslinga, an Ecuadorian goalkeeper.
DJ Puch aka Francesco “Puccio” Sordini – a DJ of nightclubs, active in Maremma, Tuscany Italy, in the 90’s, who later worked at a supermarket, until he became a co-owner. During the SARS-COV-2 pandemic, when people was forced to remain at home as a sanitary measure (absolutely wrong but mandatory), he used to entertain neighbors with DJ sets from the balcony of home. Alas, Francesco died in August 2023, aged 43, from a “terrible illness”.
DJ Purple Man, alias Purpleman, alias Peter Yellow, born Anthony Jones – an Albino dancehall artist, and a record producer from Jamaica. He was a collaborator of Yellowman, a reggae artist very popular in Italy. Anthony died in August 2020, at Kingston Public Hospital, from heart problems, I can’t be more precise. He was 58.
DJ Quid, born James Michael Sharp – a creative born in Las Vegas Nevada, who was a DJ at lounges since the mid 90’s, chiefly in the Denver area, but also at London pubs, and in Los Angeles. First of all, James was a very talented barber, and an eclectic fashion-maker. Successively, he started a series of dance parties called “Weird Touch”, based on Brit pop, and electroclash. Then, he was a part of the electric DJ duo “Shaggy Robot”. They say that James was eccentric, humble, kind, and a magnetic personality. Sadly, he died on December 13, 2018, at the age of 47, I haven’t found the cause of the death.
DJ Radical Softness, born Lea-Rose Besson – a female DJ and producer of techno music, based in Berlin, who regularly worked at the following clubs: Aeden, Rawmantique, RSO, Tresor, and Tilt. She collaborated with the record label Kaos, and co-founded the queer femme night named “Calyx”. They say she was a gentle and sensitive soul. Unluckily, she died on February 15, 2024, at the age of 28, a few days after her birthday. I haven’t found anything about the cause of the death.
DJ Raheem Makani – a DJ of pubs and clubs in Cardiff, who was “everybody’s brother”. During the final period of the lifetime, he became a radio presenter on Radio Cardiff. In my opinion, Raheem physically resembled to Peter Sellers, as you can see on the film “Hollywood Party”. He was interested in cooking and keeping fit, but, unfortunately, was struck by a sudden heart attack in 2021. So, Raheem died on February 9, 2021, after 9 days of intensive care, at the age of 45.
DJ Rashad, born Rashad Hanif Harden – a musician and DJ born in Indiana, US, who gained a large success in Chicago, in the second half of the 90’s. DJ Rashad was a pioneer of the musical genre called “footwork”, a rather extreme sub-genre of EDM, containing elements of ghetto house, dub, and hip-hop, with fast and syncopated rhythms recalling those of drum ‘n’ bass. The footwork genre has been associated to dance battles, in similarity to the Brazilian capoeira, and to the Brooklyn uprock of the early 70’s. Sadly, DJ Rashad died in April 2014, from an overdose of cocaine, mixed with an anxiolytic drug. He was 34.
DJ Riccardo Cioni – a top DJ of nightclubs from Livorno Italy, nicknamed “the Godfather of Funky”, and also a radio DJ, a guest in TV shows of the national broadcasting company (the show was named “Discoring”), a master teacher of the profession, and, more than anything else, a producer of some top hits of the Italo-disco music genre. His favorite exclamation was “boia deh” (untranslatable into English, it comes from a mixture of surprise, light scorn, and boredom). Some of the clubs where he performed, many of which are lost in the memories of frequenters, as follows: Green Ship, Joy Joy, Ostras Beach, Calafuria, Kursaal, Club 64, Tartana, Alhambra, Jux Tap, Paprika, Don Carlos, Concorde, Babylon, Mandel, Pianeta Rosso, Maroccone, Golden Boy, Sottosopra, and so on. The Italian international DJ Mr. Federico Scavo considers DJ Cioni as a lost father. Sadly, Riccardo died in January 2021, at 66, from the consequences of “a pathology different from COVID-19”. The expression has been taken by local press. I totally dissent with the spirit of it, because dying from COVID-19 it’s absolutely not a punishable guilt. I remember Riccardo for a music production, named “fog”, that I’ve appreciated and utilized in the blog.
DJ Rob Swift 915, born Roberto Turan – a lover of music and a jokester from El Paso, TX US, who was a professional DJ at the strip club named Jaguars. Roberto collapsed at the club, during the birthday celebration of the venue, and died on early morning July 5, 2022, aged 50. Local press reported that the Jaguars club was without an active liquor license with the TABC. You should not confound DJ Rob Swift 915 with DJ Rob Swift, born Robert Aguilar, a popular DJ of the hip hop scene.
DJ Robert W. Knight, born James Wilkinson – a native of Montreal, who became a successful radio DJ in the Ottawa area, and was active from 1977 to the 2000’s. At radio stations, he was a hard worker, creative and popular, who had special engagements with listeners, one at a time. At the top of his popularity, in the 80’s, he became a VJ for CHRO-TV. After the radio and TV career, in the 2000’s, he changed many jobs, in order to be able to pay the rent. James never married, and had a brother. He died in July 2022, aged 69, from the injuries suffered in a scooter collision. You should not confound Robert W. Knight with the soul singer Robert Knight, born in Tennessee.
DJ Romanthony alias Anthony Wayne Moore – for what I think, the best DJ and record producer of the deep house scene, born in New Jersey in 1967, and dead in Texas in 2013, at 45. He is also known with 9 other nicknames, among which the “Trojan Horse”. Anthony was also an excellent singer, as proved by his lead vocals on the track “one more time” by the Daft Punk. I confess I’m not a lover of the deep house, even if I’ve greatly appreciated the singles “Romanthony – wreck”, and “The Trojan Horse – what $ love”. Anthony died because of a series of consequences of kidney disease. I hope that EDM DJs would like to exploit the Romanthony’s legacy, which is simple but precious. According the deceased artist, in the matter of house music, the word “deep” doesn’t mean “cacophonic”, or “without any melodic element”.
DJ Romanthony alias Anthony Wayne Moore – for what I think, the best DJ and record producer of the deep house scene, born in New Jersey in 1967, and dead in Texas in 2013, at 45. He is also known with 9 other nicknames, among which the “Trojan Horse”. Anthony was also an excellent singer, as proved by his lead vocals on the track “one more time” by the Daft Punk. I confess I’m not a lover of the deep house, even if I’ve greatly appreciated the singles “Romanthony – wreck”, and “The Trojan Horse – what $ love”. Anthony died because of a series of consequences of kidney disease. I hope that EDM DJs would like to exploit the Romanthony’s legacy, which is simple but precious. According the deceased artist, in the matter of house music, the word “deep” doesn’t mean “cacophonic”, or “without any melodic element”.
DJ Ross Cummins – an Irish DJ, regularly performing at nightclubs in Dublin. His fiancée has declared that he was the life and soul of each party. DJ Ross became a victim of an internet craze, a drinking game named “Neknomination”, spread by social media since the beginning of the year 2014. In effect, he was found unconscious in February 2014, at the house of a friend, after a challenge to film himself while drinking alcohol, according to nominations made by the participants on social media. Soon after that, he died from cardio respiratory failure, at the age of 22. The toxicology report talks about cocaine, levamisole, and a huge quantity of alcohol.
DJ Russ Gibb, born Russel James Gibb – a radio DJ on air in Detroit since the 60’s, working at the radio station WKNR-FM, who became an entrepreneur in the field of live psychedelic rock. He transformed the Grande Ballroom into a psychedelic rock palace, and changed the history of rock in Detroit. DJ Russ Gibb was even the creator of the hoax known as “Paul is dead” of 1969, according to which Paul McCartney of the Beatles died in 1966, in a road accident. Russel died in the year 2019, at the age of 87, from congestive heart failure.
DJ Russell “The Love Muscle” Connolly – a popular DJ of nightclubs in Cape Town, South Africa, whose career was 30 years-long. He was born in Cape Town, Steenberg site, and worked in the following nightclubs: Copacabana, Thriller, and Space Odyssey. He has left three children and a partner. During his lifetime, DJ Russell was able to overcome a drug addiction, a kind of success that greatly increases self-esteem. Perhaps, he became too much confident in himself, and undervalued a discontinuous cough of about 1 year, that he only self-medicated. Sadly, it was a lung infection, the cause of his unexpected death in 2019, at 56. Well, if you have doubts about your state of health, I think you’d better go to the doctor.
DJ Russell “The Love Muscle” Connolly – a popular DJ of nightclubs in Cape Town, South Africa, whose career was 30 years-long. He was born in Cape Town, Steenberg site, and worked in the following nightclubs: Copacabana, Thriller, and Space Odyssey. He has left three children and a partner. During his lifetime, DJ Russell was able to overcome a drug addiction, a kind of success that greatly increases self-esteem. Perhaps, he became too much confident in himself, and undervalued a discontinuous cough of about 1 year, that he only self-medicated. Sadly, it was a lung infection, the cause of his unexpected death in 2019, at 56. Well, if you have doubts about your state of health, I think you’d better go to the doctor.
DJ Sandro Marceddu – an appreciated DJ from Sardinia, who performed in the 80’s and in the 90’s at the best nightclubs for VIPs, such as K2, Grillo, and Eurogarden. He was also a sort of artistic manager, who organized live concerts at clubs in Sardinia of the best pop musicians of Italy. Sandro died in May 2023, from cancer. Many persons in Sardinia still remember him, and feel his absence.
DJ Sativa, nicknamed “Mini”, born Ryan Barrie – a Scottish DJ, popular and beloved, and a father-of-one, who was murdered in March 2020 by Stephen Robbins. The murderer was intoxicated, and attacked Ryan for futile reasons, late at night. Scottish press has defined the episode as “wheelie bin attack”. The DJ died at 39, while the murderer has been arrested. Stephen Robbins admitted the guilt, and was sentenced to 20 months for culpable homicide, at the beginning of the year 2021. So, Italian criminal judges should learn a lot of things from their Scottish colleagues, who are much more efficient.
DJ Scott Fitlin aka Clubman5 – a surprisingly popular NYC DJ, who performed at the Eldorado Auto Skooter, the Coney Island’s disco palace of bumper cars, a venue owned by his family. Incredibly, the Eldorado has one of the best sound systems for nightclubs in NYC, projected by the legendary Richard Long. In Italy, amusement parks generally have poor sound systems, often playing danceable music, but only registered on tapes, or other supports, no club DJ to perform live. Scott was an attraction, even more appreciated than the bumper cars.
DJ Scott Fitlin aka Clubman5 – a surprisingly popular NYC DJ, who performed at the Eldorado Auto Skooter, the Coney Island’s disco palace of bumper cars, a venue owned by his family. Incredibly, the Eldorado has one of the best sound systems for nightclubs in NYC, projected by the legendary Richard Long. In Italy, amusement parks generally have poor sound systems, often playing danceable music, but only registered on tapes, or other supports, no club DJ to perform live. Scott was an attraction, even more appreciated than the bumper cars.
DJ Serralheiro, born Edmilson Tomé Da Costa – a popular Brazilian DJ, of clubs, street parties, and local radios, strictly bound to reggae music. He was from São Luis do Maranhão, a locality nicknamed “the Brazilian Jamaica”. During his lifetime, DJ Serralheiro visited Kingston Jamaica for 17 times, and London UK for 26 times. He used to buy rare vinyl records in London. In his maturity, DJ Serralheiro started to compile his playlists by selecting the tracks among the favorite 500 records, a praxis similar to that of the Italian DJs of the “Afro-Funky” movement. He died in 2017, aged 70, from a stroke, while he was still active as a reggae DJ.
DJ Shordy, born C. L. Lee, Junior – a longtime hip-hop DJ of nightclubs in West Side Detroit, and a skilled turntablist of the old school. He was a father of two, loyal and generous. Sadly, DJ Shordy died in a house fire while in bed, on February 16, 2016, at the age of 34. Local authorities have affirmed that the fire was “accidental”. A curiosity, Halle, a female pit-bull of 4 years, has been successfully rescued from inside the burning home. The many articles I’ve read let readers think that there would be something more to know about the economic situation of DJ Shordy.
DJ Sininho aka Juranda Mendonça Mascarenhas – a female DJ and a fashion model from Brazil, very popular in Belo Horizonte. She was a nice and friendly person, loved by everyone. Sadly, she passed away in 2014 at 32, in the middle of the Carnival, reportedly because of pneumonia. I’ve read some blogs about her, and I can tell that I love the way she conceived the activity of a DJ. Musical genres and age of records didn’t matter to DJ Sininho, who selected only the music able to give emotions to her. Even if someone is criticizing the appellative, for me DJ Sininho was “eclectic”, and I think it is the best quality of a professional DJ. To skeptics, I would like to ask: “have you the ability of making people dance to the music that you appreciate the most?”.
DJ Sininho aka Juranda Mendonça Mascarenhas – a female DJ and a fashion model from Brazil, very popular in Belo Horizonte. She was a nice and friendly person, loved by everyone. Sadly, she passed away in 2014 at 32, in the middle of the Carnival, reportedly because of pneumonia. I’ve read some blogs about her, and I can tell that I love the way she conceived the activity of a DJ. Musical genres and age of records didn’t matter to DJ Sininho, who selected only the music able to give emotions to her. Even if someone is criticizing the appellative, for me DJ Sininho was “eclectic”, and I think it is the best quality of a professional DJ. To skeptics, I would like to ask: “have you the ability of making people dance to the music that you appreciate the most?”.
DJ Spencer “Spenny” Cormell – a popular DJ in Birmingham, UK, who worked at the Bullring Tavern, and animated the Gay Pride in Birmingham and Manchester. He was a kind person, who resembled a lot to the TV presenter Jeremy Kyle. Sadly, Spencer died suddenly in November 2018, at the age of 35. I’ve read about a post-mortem examination, made to establish the cause of the death, but I haven’t found the results.
DJ Spinbad aka Chris Sullivan – a turntablist from New York, essentially a radio DJ on WHTZ New York, but also a producer, a remixer, and a personality of the web. He gained his fame by recording a mega-mix of 80’s rock tracks, named “Rock the Casbah”. He was active as a DJ from 1986 to 2020, the year of his death at 46. The causes of the death have not been publicized. Here a brief list of what the internet is “saying” about him: legend, innovator, creative, brilliant, amazing, fun person, great dude, friend, super talent, and so on. I’m curious about the fact that his musical selections were really eclectic, and so I hope I will find the time to listen carefully to some of his mix shows.
DJ Starfucker aka Maurizio Canavesi – a DJ of the EDM scene from a small village near Bergamo Italy, who was killed in 2019, at 34 of age. The case is still one of the most followed by the Italian press. I summarize what happened. During the Easter festivities of 2019, Maurizio went to Tuscany with his friend Sergio Ubbiali, a street artist, and three other friends, on board of an old van, in order to participate to a rave party known as “Pasquatek”. Back from Tuscany, Maurizio and Sergio Ubbiali began to quarrel for futile reasons, near to Maurizio’s home. Suddenly, Sergio Ubbiali drew his knife. Maurizio was hit by ten stab wounds, and the knife was stuck in the back of his head. After a one-month agony, Maurizio died at the Hospital of Bergamo. The police has found some LSD inside the van, and some other drugs at Maurizio’s home. Sergio Ubbiali has been arrested and imprisoned. In the beginning of September 2020, the criminal judge of the case has excluded that Sergio Ubbiali is mentally ill. Maurizio has left behind a twelve-year-old daughter, and a female partner. Generally, I can observe that juvenile status in Italy varies from problematic to dramatic, because of around 30 years of wrong policies of the various governments.
DJ Steve Whittle – an appreciated DJ of the northern soul scene, especially known for his residency at the Mr. M’s, a nightclub in Wigan UK, definitely shut down in the 80’s. DJ Steve used to name his performances “Wigan Casino’s Other All-Nighter”, because he was influenced by his friend DJ Russ Winstanley, the legendary resident DJ of the main room of the original Wigan Casino. Sadly, Mr. Steve Whittle passed away on November 5, 2022, at the age of 65. I haven’t found the cause of the death.
DJ Stu Allan – a legendary DJ bound to the dance music scene of Manchester UK, where he was a regular guest at the Haçienda club, and a voice of Piccadilly Radio and of Key 103. Stu started the activity in the year 1982, and was especially successful in the 80’s and in the 90’s, so that he became an international DJ, appreciated all over the UK and Ibiza. In the year 1993, he was nominated the 3rd best DJ in the world by DJ Magazine. Stu is still known for having mixed together hip hop, house music, R’N’B, and the techno of raves. In the year 2015, he married Alison. Sadly, Stu died in September 2022, after one year of battle with cancer, at the age of 60. The best tribute I’ve found says that DJ Stu Allan was an “ego-free music lover”.
DJ Suave alias Jaime Fernandez – a known DJ of nightclubs in Perth Australia, who was killed with eight stab wounds in 2016, at the age of 41. Victor Amaya, a photographer and a former friend of DJ Suave, went on trial for two crimes connected to the murder, in the Supreme Court of Western Australia. In 2018, a jury returned not guilty verdicts. A brief explanation: DJ Suave was an occasional cocaine dealer, and, according to the jury, Victor Amaya killed the DJ to defend himself from a deadly menace. Well, in my opinion, too many DJs have been under the influence of the famed Studio 54.
DJ Sumbody born Oupa John Sefoka – a popular DJ and music producer from South Africa, author of two hit songs in the year 2019. I like “Ayepyep”, the minor success of the two, more than “Monate Mpolaye”, for a rhythm interesting and uncommon. According to public declarations, the cell phone of DJ Sumbody was hacked for three times. He also had a legal controversy, because he was convinced of not having received 150K rand in unpaid royalties. According to local press, DJ Sumbody was shot dead on November 20, 2022, at the age of 42. According to my readings, there’s an investigation going on, and DJ Sumbody’s family has kindly requested privacy.
DJ Super Matt, born Joseph Matthew Noel Sr. – a military veteran of Louisiana, who became a trail ride DJ in the 70’s. His kind of music is called “zydeco”, also known as swamp blues, a regional music of Louisiana. Super Matt died in 2016, at a local hospital, aged 78. He’s buried in Breaux Bridge.
DJ Symon, born Simone Pecci – a native of Cattolica, Italy, who was the resident DJ on Fridays of the nightclub Bollicine Disco Dinner, in Riccione. His favorite genre was Latin-American music, that he proposed even on Radio Sabbia and Radio San Marino. Simone died suddenly and unexpectedly in the month of April, 2022, at the age of 42.
DJ Taiki Territory, born Taiki Yokochi – the most prominent DJ and promoter of the Gothic industrial scene in Japan, based in Osaka. Taiki started the DJ activity in the year 1982. He was a vocalist in two Japanese metal bands. In the year 1996, Taiki opened a book store, dedicated to occult and Satanism. In the year 2000, he created his own Gothic nightclub, named Black Veil. Taiki was a guest DJ at nightclubs in NYC, and some other countries. More recently, he founded a Gothic music bar, named Sabbat. Unfortunately, DJ Taiki died on March 21, 2022, from lung cancer. I haven’t found the age at the day of the death.
DJ Tallulah, born Martyn Allam – a DJ of 24 nightclubs born in Germany, mostly based in London, who emigrated in NYC during the year 1977, and worked at the legendary Studio 54. He started the DJ activity in the year 1972, when he was 24. For about 35 years, Tallulah was the heart of London’s club scene, by proposing disco music imported from the USA, and by being a record producer, and a promoter of clubs. The most remembered experiences at work: resident DJ of the Bang, a mega gay club in London, starting from the year 1976, and it was total disco on Mondays; ownership of another club in London, named “Circus Circus”. Tallulah was found dead at his apartment in the year 2008. He died from cardiac arrest, aged 60.
DJ Thomas Gerard Mulholland, nicknamed “Mul” – a top DJ of nightclubs across Northern Ireland, who was a participant to global internet radio. He was a lovable person, a house music DJ who lived alone in a house in Twinbrook, together with three Doberman dogs. In December 2013, DJ Mul organized a marathon two-day house party at home, and, unfortunately, he took a speckled Rolex, an ecstasy-type pill. Unexpectedly and suddenly, he died at the age of 42.
DJ Tiziano Marchetti aka Tyz – a popular professional born in Montalto Dora, a small village near Turin, who is still remembered and celebrated in Piemonte region, more than 20 years after the day of the death. He was active on local radios, and at nightclubs in the zone near Ivrea. Tyz was a pioneer of the musical genre known as "Afro music”, typical of northern Italy, Germany, and Austria, corresponding to a movement born in the 80’s and still alive. Tiziano died in 1998, together with his wife, in a traffic accident, after a performance at a nightclub.
DJ Tony Cook aka Cookie Monsta – a pioneer of the dubstep musical genre, born in Nottingham UK. He was a fan of EDM since the late 90’s, and successively a nightclub DJ, a record producer, and the owner of the label “Circus Records”. Sadly, Tony died in the beginning of October 2020, at the age of 31, the cause of the death is yet to be confirmed. Since the year 2018, he was struggling with mental health problems, and possibly the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t give him a helping hand. Tony has left behind a son, nicknamed the “Mini Monsta”. I hope that someone will be able to stop the true, scary monsters, who are exploiting the pandemic.
DJ Tony De Vit, born Antony de Vit – a superstar DJ and successful music producer, born in England from French immigrants. Tony is known as the creator of a new subgenre of house music, the hard house, and for having been the resident DJ of some top nightclubs of the gay scene in London. He was especially popular from 1994 to 1998. Unluckily, Tony died on July 2, 1998, at the age of 40, from the consequences of HIV infection, more precisely, bronchial failure and bone marrow failure. I utilized for a past page of the blog a remix produced by him, titled Monaco – sweet lips (Tony De Vit Not Trade Mix).
DJ Tony G, born Antonio Raffaele Grimes – a techno DJ from Casarsa della Delizia, a village near to the Italian town of Pordenone, professionally well-known all around the North-West of Italy, and in Slovenia. Unfortunately, Tony G died in September 2016, at the age of 29, from brain cancer. In October 2016, he would have married the love of his lifetime. I don’t know exactly why, after reading the sad news, I’ve remembered an old Italian proverb, that says “not all of the bad things come to do harm”.
DJ Tunice – a popular DJ at Play Hilton, Abuja Nigeria, about whom, sorry, I only found many pages dedicated to the banal accident that provoked his death. I haven’t known the biography of DJ Tunice, however the story of his death is worth to be told. On Monday February 1, 2021, DJ Tunice slipped on the floor at home, and hit the head. The injury was serious. Sadly, he was carried in a rush to three different hospitals, but was constantly rejected, until the death. According to the posts I’ve read, DJ Tunice was the “loudest entertainer” in Nigeria.
DJ Valentina Trespalacios – an international DJ from Colombia, and a young, beautiful woman with a large popularity and, as they said, “a great future”. Alas, her corpse was found in a suitcase, abandoned inside a container of urban garbage near to the airport of Bogota, on January 22, 2023. She was only 23. According to her parents, and to local authorities, she was hanged to death while sleeping by her partner, John Nelson Poulos from Texas, 35, a man married with three children. Mr. Poulos was arrested in Panama, and shortly extradited to Colombia. It means that the evidences against the Texan are rather strong. The lawyers of Mr. Poulos have declared that the Medellin Cartel was after him, and that the young woman was killed by the Cartel itself. It’s a theory. Pity that in Colombia there are more than 600 femicides per year, and almost all of them are committed by male partners/husbands.
DJ Vincent “Vicious V” Curtis – a Baltimore legend and a popular turntablist, the godfather of battling DJs. Vincent was gunned down in 2017, at 53, and died because of the wounds to chest. The killer was DJ Brandon Harris, known as DJ B-Eazy, a fellow of Vincent. It has been another of the billions evidences that envy can raise the most dangerous of criminal impulses. Managing, or driving, envy might be a lethal illusion, equal to play the Russian roulette.
DJ Vincent “Vicious V” Curtis – a Baltimore legend and a popular turntablist, the godfather of battling DJs. Vincent was gunned down in 2017, at 53, and died because of the wounds to chest. The killer was DJ Brandon Harris, known as DJ B-Eazy, a fellow of Vincent. It has been another of the billions evidences that envy can raise the most dangerous of criminal impulses. Managing, or driving, envy might be a lethal illusion, equal to play the Russian roulette.
DJ Walter One, born Walter Severini – a techno music DJ from Rome, popular in the Netherlands, where he produced successful records for the record label named “Mokum”. DJ Walter One is recognized as one of the earliest DJs of the techno/gabber/hardcore scene, since the beginning of the 90’s. He collaborated with Roman radio stations, such as Radio Centro Suono. Unfortunately, Walter died on March 22, 2013, at the age of 39, from gallbladder peritonitis.
Domenico Di Risio aka DJ Jangol – a dance DJ and a lover of music from Casalbordino, a village near the Italian town of Chieti, who was locally very popular and appreciated. Domenico died in 2018, aged 47, from a cancer. He has left behind a wife, and two daughters now aged 14 and 12. In his memory, the local municipality has organized a party, with a DJ set including the favorite music of DJ Jangol. In the central regions of Italy, that are strictly bound to folkloristic traditions and Christian religiosity, a dance party in memory of a dead person is something rather uncommon, I would like to say “unique”.
Don West – a radio and TV personality from Chicago, popular as a fantastic television seller, and as a beloved commentator of wrestling (WWE). Sadly, Don died on December 30, 2022, from brain lymphoma, at the age of 59.
Dorraine Samuels – a Jamaican radio DJ (RJR, RJR 94 FM), a singer, a radio and TV anchorwoman, with a career of 40 years. In the 1982, she released a single at 45 RPM, very interesting, titled “the woman in me”, which is a cover of a namesake hit of the country music star Crystal Gayle. Dorraine is remembered for clarity and simplicity of communication. She was a widow and mother of three. Sadly, Dorraine died on March 26, 2019, from pancreatic cancer, at the age of 59.
Douglas “Jocko” Henderson – a radio DJ from Baltimore, and a source of inspiration for hip hop artists. He began his career in 1952, and continued it until the 90s. Successively, he started a long battle against cancer and diabetes, which ended in 2000. He was one of the first rapper of history, because of the single “rhythm talk”, released in 1979 on the PIR label. He was also one of the American DJs who were accepting gifts from record companies, in exchange of airplays of music records, since it was legal. Even if I am only an amateur DJ, I don’t feel like I have to morally condemn the professional DJs who want to earn more money. I can’t always appreciate legislative acts justified on “superior ethical principles”, because I believe that politicians, especially the professional ones, have a “natural tendency” to take care of their own personal interests.
Douglas “Jocko” Henderson – a radio DJ from Baltimore, and a source of inspiration for hip hop artists. He began his career in 1952, and continued it until the 90s. Successively, he started a long battle against cancer and diabetes, which ended in 2000. He was one of the first rapper of history, because of the single “rhythm talk”, released in 1979 on the PIR label. He was also one of the American DJs who were accepting gifts from record companies, in exchange of airplays of music records, since it was legal. Even if I am only an amateur DJ, I don’t feel like I have to morally condemn the professional DJs who want to earn more money. I can’t always appreciate legislative acts justified on “superior ethical principles”, because I believe that politicians, especially the professional ones, have a “natural tendency” to take care of their own personal interests.
Dustin Francis “Dusty” Street – one of the best female rock DJs all over the world, and a true star of American radios, born in Palo Alto, US. The nickname “Dusty” was given to her when she was a young girl, who played football with boys in the street. She graduated high school in 1964. Her name, Dusty Street, was often mistaken for a man’s. The radio career started in San Francisco on KMPX, in the year 1967. From the year 1969, she worked at the radio station KSAN. In the year 1979, she was hired in Los Angeles, by the station KROQ-FM, where she remained, more or less, until the late 90’s. The period at KROQ has been the most successful and remarkable. Dusty’s sultry voice became a guide for lovers of punk and new wave. Successively, she moved for work to Las Vegas, and Cleveland, on SiriusXM, the Deep Tracks channel. She entered the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame. Her favorite musician was Billy Idol. Dusty Street was the first DJ all over the US to play “white wedding”. She died in Eugene, Oregon, on October 21, 2023, aged 77, as a consequence of numerous afflictions of age. Dusty spent the last days of the lifetime assisted by a friend, DJ Geno Michellini, who successively gave the sad news about the death. Hey little sister, send us your blessings from Heaven.
Earl McDaniel – a radio DJ from Santa Monica US, who was an important factor in the popularization and development of rock ‘n’ roll, since the year 1953, at first in the Los Angeles area, and successively in Hawaii. He launched the song “heartbreak hotel” by Elvis Presley, and the fact was recognized by the record label RCA. He also was an actor, a manager of the band the Champs, and a radio executive. Earl died in 2014, aged 85, of cancer.
Earl Smith Jr. aka DJ Spank-Spank – an American legend of acid house, inspired by Ron Hardy’s DJ sets. He bought a TB-303 synthesizer, and formed the “Phuture” music group, together with DJ Pierre. The Phuture recorded the mythic “acid tracks” on reel tape and cassettes, a pair of years before the official release on vinyl, under the “Trax Records” label, in 1987. The father of house music, DJ Ron Hardy, was happy to play the reel tape at the Music Box nightclub in Chicago, as a part of his playlist. DJ Spank-Spank died in 2016, at 51, as a consequence of stroke.
Ed Walker – a radio DJ from Illinois, totally blind since birth, who was on air in the Washington area for 6 decades. His most popular show, named “The Big Broadcast”, started in the year 1990 on WAMU 88.5. It was a weekly program on Sunday nights, of four hours. Ed died in 2015, from a cancer, aged 83.
Ed Stewpot Stewart, born Edward Stewart Mainwaring – a British radio DJ with a 50-year-career, chiefly at BBC, who started his job on pirate radios. He was successful for the radio program “Junior Choice”, and, in the 70’s, as a regular TV presenter of Top of the Pops. The name of Ed Stewart is also deeply linked to the legendary John Peel. He died in January, 2016, at the age of 74, a few days after having a stroke.
Eddie Lopez – a radio DJ and TV editor from Southern California, popular for a show on KXLU radio Los Angeles named “Alma del Barrio”, that lasted for more than 25 years. Eddie was a lover of Latin jazz, including the political dimension of it. He died in January 2023, no cause of death has been published, at an approximate age of 70. Eddie has left behind a wife, and a 25-year-old daughter.
Eddie Rivera – a dance music pioneer of New York, who started as a DJ in 1972 at the “Cork And Bottle” nightclub. Successively, in 1973 he was asked by David Mancuso to be a DJ at “The Loft”. Then he founded the IDRC Record Pool. He is remembered as the man who taught the profession to important turntablists, such as DJ Raul Rodriguez, and DJ Steve “Saga” Perez. Eddie was one of the reasons why many disco music releases of the 70s are filled with Latin rhythms. In effect, the Latin New York was fundamental in the history of disco music, even if, sadly, information sources are scarce.
Eddie Zondi, DJ Zondi – a South African radio DJ, popular and beloved. His favorite genre was rhythm and blues, of the romantic kind. His curriculum vitae has astonished me for the high level of formation, I think, absolutely uncommon. In effect, he studied speech and drama, and followed a 6-month, broadcasting course at Wits University School. Please, don’t start me talking about what commonly happens in the radios I know best.
Edwin Van Santen (EVS) aka DJ Perpetrator – at first a member of the Gabber music movement in Netherlands, then a legend of the Commodore 64 and Amiga scene, as a part of the music group 20CC (20th Century Composers), until 1994. Successively, EVS became a techno hardcore producer and DJ; people remember that EVS produced very powerful material. EVS died at 32 in 2006, after many years of illness, a lung cancer. I think I can consider EVS as a pioneer of computerized DJ activity, and a father of Dutch EDM.
Eddie Zondi, DJ Zondi – a South African radio DJ, popular and beloved. His favorite genre was rhythm and blues, of the romantic kind. His curriculum vitae has astonished me for the high level of formation, I think, absolutely uncommon. In effect, he studied speech and drama, and followed a 6-month, broadcasting course at Wits University School. Please, don’t start me talking about what commonly happens in the radios I know best.
Edwin Van Santen (EVS) aka DJ Perpetrator – at first a member of the Gabber music movement in Netherlands, then a legend of the Commodore 64 and Amiga scene, as a part of the music group 20CC (20th Century Composers), until 1994. Successively, EVS became a techno hardcore producer and DJ; people remember that EVS produced very powerful material. EVS died at 32 in 2006, after many years of illness, a lung cancer. I think I can consider EVS as a pioneer of computerized DJ activity, and a father of Dutch EDM.
Eileen Chan, aka DJ Cats on Crack – a pivotal woman of the nightclub scene in Singapore, who co-founded some venues and a record label, and was herself a DJ at many EDM parties, under the nickname “Cats on Crack”. Sadly, Eileen died in May 2022, at the age of 32. I haven’t found the cause of the death.
Elvio Pieri – a nightclub DJ born in Bertinoro Italy, a small village near the town of Forlì, who was very popular in the 80s and the 90s. He was an entertainer, and an inventor of new styles of dancing. DJ Elvio is remembered for two praxes: the one named “rock splash”, a mixture of pop, rock, children songs, and tunes from the soundtracks of cartoons; the other named “mystic dance”, a selection of slow, hypnotic rhythms, to dance slowly, with your eyes closed, and also with a small bag laced to your neck, containing natural herbs and garlic. Sadly, DJ Elvio died in the end of the year 2010, from a liver pathology, at 58. I have appreciated the intention to avoid banality, and the purpose of increasing the amusement of dancers, without anything illegal.
Elvio Pieri – a nightclub DJ born in Bertinoro Italy, a small village near the town of Forlì, who was very popular in the 80s and the 90s. He was an entertainer, and an inventor of new styles of dancing. DJ Elvio is remembered for two praxes: the one named “rock splash”, a mixture of pop, rock, children songs, and tunes from the soundtracks of cartoons; the other named “mystic dance”, a selection of slow, hypnotic rhythms, to dance slowly, with your eyes closed, and also with a small bag laced to your neck, containing natural herbs and garlic. Sadly, DJ Elvio died in the end of the year 2010, from a liver pathology, at 58. I have appreciated the intention to avoid banality, and the purpose of increasing the amusement of dancers, without anything illegal.
Enrico Di Paolo, known as DJ Guru – a veteran DJ of nightclubs and private parties from L’Aquila Italy, locally very popular. He was a close friend to the international, superstar DJ Marco Trani, who died in the year 2013 (see below). DJ Guru was the victim of the theft of 30,000 vinyl records, that one time he owned. He also had a twin, named Fabrizio, who died a little bit more of one year before him. DJ Guru died on January 1, 2014, after having performed at a new-year’s eve party, from a cardio-circulatory arrest. He was aged 53. Enrico Di Paolo is remembered for a strong criticism of local politicians, who, according to the DJ, were adopting wrong policies for the young.
Eric Jackson, known as “the Dean of Boston Jazz Radio” – the son of Sam Jackson, a pioneer of jazz radio in New England, Eric was born in Providence, Rhode Island. In the year 1968, he went to study at Boston University, and started to be a radio DJ on WBUR, the radio station of the University. The entire radio career was in Boston. The popularity came in 1977 on WGBH. Eric always showed an unmatched knowledge of jazz, and of the history of African American music. He was appreciated for an erudite kind of charm. After about 50 years on air, sadly, Eric died in September 2022, at the age of 72. I’ve read that “no cause of death was given”.
Erick “More” Morillo – in my opinion, the best house music DJ of history, and one of my favorite producers and remixers of the house music scene. A pair of years ago, I even dedicated an entire page of the blog to Erick’s work, as a producer and a remixer. He was an American-Colombian successful personality, many times awarded, and famous all over the world for “I like to move it”, the most popular song in the soundtracks of the film series “Madagascar”. Sadly, according to what I’ve read, Erick was addicted to ketamine, and in 2016 was forced to go to rehab, because he couldn’t urinate. Recently, he was arrested in Miami, and charged with rape. Less than one month after the arrest, in the beginning of the month of September 2020, he was found dead at home. He was aged 49. I can only say: “another talented artist, whose life was stolen away by drug abuse”. However, I hope that in Heaven they like to dance to the sound of house music.
Express Viviana aka Viviana Parisi – a beautiful mother of one, and a former DJ from Turin Italy, who was married to a successful DJ and producer, Mr. Daniele Mondello, a Sicilian. Express Viviana met her future husband while working as a resident DJ at the nightclub “Parhasar”, near Turin. Her future husband was a guest DJ at the “Parhasar”, and a producer of Viviana’s favorite music, the so called “hardstyle” techno. In the year 2003, the couple married and went to Sicily, for home and work. Mr. Mondello owns a professional recording studio. The couple has been working together, happily and successfully, for more than ten years, in the field of international nightclubs. Sadly, about 4 years ago, after the birth of her son Gioele, Viviana fell into a state of postpartum depression, and had to stop the activity as a DJ. Since then, she has been living all-day-long near her son. Unluckily, the COVID-19 pandemic, together with the catastrophic measures adopted by the Italian government (such as the 3 months sanitary shutdown all over the country), provoked serious economic problems to the couple, and greatly worsened Viviana’s mental conditions. The woman had to seek urgent medical attention for severe panic attacks, several times. I understand the tremendous situation of Mr. Mondello, who didn’t dare to take away Gioele from his mother, because the son was the only reason to live for an unstable woman. One bad day in August 2020, Viviana got out of home with the child, and drove her car on the highway, without knowing exactly where to go. On August 8, 2020, Viviana has found dead, while the child is missing (adjournment August 12, 2020). She was aged 43. I consider Viviana as a victim of the Italian government. In my opinion, there will be many others, I think about suicides among ceased workers and entrepreneurs, starting from the beginning of the year 2021.
Fabiano Antoniani aka DJ Fabo – an Italian DJ, who became quadriplegic. After that, he was hit by depression, and then asked for euthanasia, that, luckily, in Italy is illegal. I say “luckily” because I know in detail the Italian political situation, which is opposite to any form of intellectual honesty, and of rectitude. Thanks to DJ Fabo, the Italian Constitutional Court will adopt a memorable decision, about the constitutional compatibility of the so called “assisted suicide”. In brief, the further coming of the reign of Pyrrhonism is going to please a multitude of shysters. Adjournment: September 26, 2019 – Obviously, the Italian Constitutional Court has established that, after a complex bureaucratic procedure, you can go to Switzerland to pay for an assisted suicide, accompanied by Mr. Marco Cappato. In effect, the vast majority of physicians and public officers, requested by the Court, don’t want to know about that.
Fabio Farnesi – a lawyer in Terni Italy, who had been a DJ when young, and occasionally refreshed the passion for the DJ activity as a hobby, by animating private parties. Unluckily, Mr. Farnesi fell ill from cancer, and died in 2014, after some years of daily struggles. He was 52.
Fabio Tasca aka DJ Fabio T – a DJ of nightclubs from a small village near Venice, well-known and popular in two Italian regions. Fabio died in 2019, at 34, in a car crash after a night of work, near to his apartment. They say he was a generous man, with a kind heart. The interesting thing is that, two months before the death, Fabio had posted a virtual epitaph of himself on the best known of social networks, even if he had no health problem. It is a confirmation that, inexplicably often, musicians and lovers of music can foresee their own death.
Fabiolino Filomena – a radio DJ from Brindisi Italy, who regularly offered vocal support at nightclubs, especially to his friend DJ Mr. Raffaele Palano. He became popular in the 90’s. Fabiolino was a lover of music, a passion that became a true profession, also thanks to the previous work as a cook. He died on March 25, 2022, at the age of 46, from a “terrible illness”. I haven’t known which one.
Fabrizio “Billo” Levati – a multitask professional from Parma Italy, who in the 60’s was the guitarist of the popular band of Italian progressive rock named “I Corvi”. In the second half of the 70’s, Billo became a pioneer DJ of nightclubs. In the 80’s, he started the profession of art director, at a well-known stable exposition and show of dolphins in Riccione. Mr. Levati died in Riccione in April 2000, aged 54. I remember DJ Billo for having remixed the first LP of the Roman disco band the Easy Going, released in the year 1978, that was successful in the Big Apple, thanks to DJ David Mancuso and his Record Pool.
Fabrizio Potenza and Giuseppe Potenza – two Italian DJs with the same second name, but not relatives, who, strangely, died in the same year. Fabrizio was from Campobasso, and worked in the local radio station, named Radio Luna, and in local nightclubs. After the career as a DJ, he opened a record shop. Fabrizio died in January 2020, aged 55, from “an illness not curable”. Giuseppe, nicknamed “Beppe”, was from Imola, and was a rock DJ of nightclubs, rather rare in Italy. He died in November 2020, after a long battle with “an illness”, not known by me, at the age of 46.
Federico Franchi aka Zenith DJ – an Italian musician born in Monza, who was a music producer, a keyboardist, and an international DJ, well-known in Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and France. He was a personality of the EDM scene, particularly of the sub-genres “hardstyle” and “hard trance”. He had a big hit in 2006, the track named “cream”, resembling a lot to the work of the Reel 2 Real. Federico died in 2018 at 43. He suffered from a cardiopathy, and he was waiting from a surgical intervention. Sadly, during the waiting he had a heart arrest (or, perhaps, heart failure). Paradoxically, the beat of his music was like the sound of a big heart, able to give emotion and excitement.
Felix Rotimi Mike Imevbore aka Dr. Feelx – a polyhedral artist born in Lagos Nigeria, chiefly active as a radio DJ in Italy. He was the son of a diplomat of the F.A.O. in Rome, and a graduate in economics, despite he chose to be a radio DJ. He also became a record producer, a TV personality, a vocalist in nightclubs, and a collaborator of reviews about house music. He died in 2017 at 57, from a sudden cardiac arrest. My comment about Dr. Feelx’s biography is: “life’s what you make it, can’t escape it.”.
Federico Franchi aka Zenith DJ – an Italian musician born in Monza, who was a music producer, a keyboardist, and an international DJ, well-known in Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and France. He was a personality of the EDM scene, particularly of the sub-genres “hardstyle” and “hard trance”. He had a big hit in 2006, the track named “cream”, resembling a lot to the work of the Reel 2 Real. Federico died in 2018 at 43. He suffered from a cardiopathy, and he was waiting from a surgical intervention. Sadly, during the waiting he had a heart arrest (or, perhaps, heart failure). Paradoxically, the beat of his music was like the sound of a big heart, able to give emotion and excitement.
Felix Rotimi Mike Imevbore aka Dr. Feelx – a polyhedral artist born in Lagos Nigeria, chiefly active as a radio DJ in Italy. He was the son of a diplomat of the F.A.O. in Rome, and a graduate in economics, despite he chose to be a radio DJ. He also became a record producer, a TV personality, a vocalist in nightclubs, and a collaborator of reviews about house music. He died in 2017 at 57, from a sudden cardiac arrest. My comment about Dr. Feelx’s biography is: “life’s what you make it, can’t escape it.”.
Filiberto Degani – a DJ from Modena at the historic nightclub “Snoopy”, that he also owned, and a successful manager of musicians. Filiberto discovered and launched Vasco Rossi, one of the most popular rockers in the world. Despite he had recovered from COVID-19, Filiberto died on July 15, 2020, from other pathologies, aged 79.
Fortunato Calderone aka Natt – a singer and a karaoke DJ born in Brooklyn, and based in Torregrotta, a locality near Messina Italy, who collaborated with some nightclub DJs, such as Express Viviana (aka Viviana Parisi, now dead, see below in the page). He had a wonderful voice, and even participated to a TV show, named “Sarabanda”, of the national broadcasting company. Sadly, Natt died in December 2020, from “an illness” (I can’t tell more). He was aged 49.
Francesco Bocchiola aka DJ Bokkio – an appreciated nightclub DJ, who lived in a small village near the town of Pavia, Italy, and died in 2016 at 23, from an episode of sudden cardiac death. He was a very nice person, unluckily, dead while sleeping after a night of work. Hopefully, the sleep took away any pain from his departure. Sudden cardiac death is rare in people younger than 35, and might depend on undiscovered heart defects. You know, health prevention in school age can be greatly helpful to fight against heart defects, and it would be an important topic for a public health systems. Sadly, the described kind of prevention has been ceased in Italy, because the central state administration only cares about Machiavellian bureaucracies. This is one of the billions reasons why Italians deserve far better governments, than those of the last 30 years.
Francis Grasso – a fundamental personality for the history of disco music, born in Brooklyn in the year 1949. He started his career as a go-go dancer of nightclubs, at first at the Trude Hellers, and then at the Salvation II. At the Salvation II, there was a scandalous, transgender DJ, Mr. Terry Noel, who, around the year 1965, had been the inventor of the technique known as “beatmix” (see the home page). DJ Terry Noel transmitted to Francis the technique in late 60s, by employing the DJ booth of the Salvation II, made of two turntables Rec-O-Kut and a fader Renco Electronics. After that, Francis Grasso started the career of nightclubs DJ, performing at the following NYC nightclubs: Salvation II, Tarots, Haven, Le Directoire/Le Twinkie Zone, Sanctuary (in which he gained his fame), Limelight (the original), Thrush & Tigress (not enough verified), Footsteps, and Francis (the venue managed by himself). He became the first DJ to mix all the records on the beat, thanks to the slipmat, invented by himself, and to previous, accurate testing of the tracks with a metronome. He was also helped by the earliest mixers with separate cueing, at first the prototype “Rosie” by Alex Rosner (around the year 1970), and then the official Bozak mixers (around the year 1971). Francis appeared in two films, “Klute” of 1971 with Jane Fonda, and “The Maestro” of 2004 directed by Josell Ramos. There will be one or more pages of the blog, to deepen Francis Grasso’s personal history, and his praxes as a disco DJ. He died in 2001. I find interesting the way that Francis conceived the profession of disco DJ: he considered himself as an amplifier of the effects of psychoactive substances, and the leader of collective trips, interracial and interclass, for that “politically correct”.
Francesco Bocchiola aka DJ Bokkio – an appreciated nightclub DJ, who lived in a small village near the town of Pavia, Italy, and died in 2016 at 23, from an episode of sudden cardiac death. He was a very nice person, unluckily, dead while sleeping after a night of work. Hopefully, the sleep took away any pain from his departure. Sudden cardiac death is rare in people younger than 35, and might depend on undiscovered heart defects. You know, health prevention in school age can be greatly helpful to fight against heart defects, and it would be an important topic for a public health systems. Sadly, the described kind of prevention has been ceased in Italy, because the central state administration only cares about Machiavellian bureaucracies. This is one of the billions reasons why Italians deserve far better governments, than those of the last 30 years.
Francis Grasso – a fundamental personality for the history of disco music, born in Brooklyn in the year 1949. He started his career as a go-go dancer of nightclubs, at first at the Trude Hellers, and then at the Salvation II. At the Salvation II, there was a scandalous, transgender DJ, Mr. Terry Noel, who, around the year 1965, had been the inventor of the technique known as “beatmix” (see the home page). DJ Terry Noel transmitted to Francis the technique in late 60s, by employing the DJ booth of the Salvation II, made of two turntables Rec-O-Kut and a fader Renco Electronics. After that, Francis Grasso started the career of nightclubs DJ, performing at the following NYC nightclubs: Salvation II, Tarots, Haven, Le Directoire/Le Twinkie Zone, Sanctuary (in which he gained his fame), Limelight (the original), Thrush & Tigress (not enough verified), Footsteps, and Francis (the venue managed by himself). He became the first DJ to mix all the records on the beat, thanks to the slipmat, invented by himself, and to previous, accurate testing of the tracks with a metronome. He was also helped by the earliest mixers with separate cueing, at first the prototype “Rosie” by Alex Rosner (around the year 1970), and then the official Bozak mixers (around the year 1971). Francis appeared in two films, “Klute” of 1971 with Jane Fonda, and “The Maestro” of 2004 directed by Josell Ramos. There will be one or more pages of the blog, to deepen Francis Grasso’s personal history, and his praxes as a disco DJ. He died in 2001. I find interesting the way that Francis conceived the profession of disco DJ: he considered himself as an amplifier of the effects of psychoactive substances, and the leader of collective trips, interracial and interclass, for that “politically correct”.
Franco Fattori – a historic rock DJ born in Rimini Italy. Since the year 1980, he was the appreciated resident DJ of the “Slego”, an exciting rock club in Rimini, located inside a former seat of the local communist party. Successively, Franco became a music journalist. In the year 2014, he fell ill from cancer, and, after two years of battle for his life, died on May 26, 2016, at the age of 60.
Franco Nisi – a radio DJ from Milan, who started his career in 1977. He became a journalist, and the author of texts for TV celebrities, such as Mike Buongiorno. In the year 2004, Franco was awarded with the honorary degree in “economy and communication techniques”. Franco died in 2016, aged 58, after a long-lasting illness. Franco’s experience has shown that in mass media is more important how you say things than the content of your communication. So, if you’re a young and ambitious radio DJ, say whatever you want, even of the foolish kind, but say it amazingly.
Frank Houlihan – a DJ of clubs in New York City, during the golden years of disco music, from 1975 to 1979. He performed at famous nightclubs, such as: Ice Palace 57, a venue on the 57th Street, managed by the legendary Jimmy Merry; Red Parrot, on the 57th Street; Magique, on the 59th Street, it was his last workplace, before the death in 1986. Reportedly, he was able to create magic, when he was spinning the records inside the DJ booth.
Frank Houlihan – a DJ of clubs in New York City, during the golden years of disco music, from 1975 to 1979. He performed at famous nightclubs, such as: Ice Palace 57, a venue on the 57th Street, managed by the legendary Jimmy Merry; Red Parrot, on the 57th Street; Magique, on the 59th Street, it was his last workplace, before the death in 1986. Reportedly, he was able to create magic, when he was spinning the records inside the DJ booth.
Frank Moran, aka DJ Talk2Frank – the life and soul of every party in the Liverpool area, a DJ at clubs and bars. Sadly, Frank died suddenly on October 5, 2022, at the age of 27. The cause of the death was intoxication, from high levels of alcohol, cocaine, and ketamine. Frank has left behind a son, and the partner Laura, who live in Garston.
Frankie “Hollywood” Crocker – an American radio disc jockey, among the most popular ones, from the 60s to the year 1985. Successively a VJ on MTV, and a television personality, until the death in the year 2000, at 62, from a pancreatic cancer. He is chiefly remembered as the program director of radio WBLS-FM, the black music station in New York, where he nicknamed himself as “chief rocker”, and called his musical selections as “urban contemporary”. Frankie was one of the most influent operators in the disco music scene, and a sustainer of eclectic musical choices, given that he used to send on air anything he had liked. I also remember him as a musician, because he released one of the top hits of the British Northern Soul, the 1969 single Frankie “Loveman” Crocker – ton of dynamite.
Frankie Knuckles – a legendary DJ, remixer, and producer from the Bronx. Many experts call him “the father of house music”, or something similar. Honestly, I disagree, because, according to Frankie’s philosophy, the “house” was David Mancuso’s home, while, as a musical genre, house music can be defined as “escape from New York”, the end of the cultural monopoly of New York-born DJs. In my opinion, the purpose of the best house music producers has been to create new sounds and new music, instead of recreating the “disco’s original ethos of loving equality” (words by Danny Tenaglia). I’ve listened to various Frankie’s performances as a DJ, I beg your pardon, I prefer him as a music producer. More precisely, I like “baby wants to ride”.
Frankie “Hollywood” Crocker – an American radio disc jockey, among the most popular ones, from the 60s to the year 1985. Successively a VJ on MTV, and a television personality, until the death in the year 2000, at 62, from a pancreatic cancer. He is chiefly remembered as the program director of radio WBLS-FM, the black music station in New York, where he nicknamed himself as “chief rocker”, and called his musical selections as “urban contemporary”. Frankie was one of the most influent operators in the disco music scene, and a sustainer of eclectic musical choices, given that he used to send on air anything he had liked. I also remember him as a musician, because he released one of the top hits of the British Northern Soul, the 1969 single Frankie “Loveman” Crocker – ton of dynamite.
Frankie Knuckles – a legendary DJ, remixer, and producer from the Bronx. Many experts call him “the father of house music”, or something similar. Honestly, I disagree, because, according to Frankie’s philosophy, the “house” was David Mancuso’s home, while, as a musical genre, house music can be defined as “escape from New York”, the end of the cultural monopoly of New York-born DJs. In my opinion, the purpose of the best house music producers has been to create new sounds and new music, instead of recreating the “disco’s original ethos of loving equality” (words by Danny Tenaglia). I’ve listened to various Frankie’s performances as a DJ, I beg your pardon, I prefer him as a music producer. More precisely, I like “baby wants to ride”.
Fulvio Tagliaferri, nicknamed “uncle Fulvio” – a historic voice of Radio Sherwood in Padua Italy, and a political activist of the far left. Uncle Fulvio died in a sudden way in the year 2019, aged 45. Radio Sherwood is a part of the cultural terrain on which leftist terrorism has: born, grown, flourished, and changed the power in Italy. I think that a notable part of the necessary money has come from the USA, and the development of the pandemic might be an evidence of that.
Gabriele Sandri aka DJ Gabbri Gaber aka DJ Gabbo – an appreciated DJ of nightclubs from Rome, who, under the nickname of DJ Gabbo, worked at the following top class venues: Piper (Rome), Bloom (Rome), Cabala (Rome), Jackie O’ (Rome), and Tartarughino (Porto Rotondo). He was a fantastic young man, whose commitment went even in the social field, for battles against drugs. Sadly, he was a fan of a soccer team of Rome, the Lazio S. S., and one bad day in 2007 he went with some friends to the stadium, outside of Rome, by car. An information destined to non-Italians: since many years, the Lazio S. S. is rumored as a favorite team of white supremacists. Gabriele was sleeping in the back seats of the car, when the driver stopped at a service station on the A1 highway, near the town of Arezzo. While his friends were inside the building, there was a small scuffle between fans of opposite teams, involving the fans of the Lazio S. S.. From another, different service area, distant about 1 hundred meters, a policeman, Mr. Luigi Spaccarotella, saw the quarrel and he lost his head. Years after, Mr. Spaccarotella has declared he wanted to shoot a gunshot in the air, in order to stop the disorders. Unluckily, he hit Gabriele inside the car. Gabriele went from sleep to death, when he was only 26. Gabriele had never done anything illegal in all his lifetime! Do me a favor: when you feel ready to go to a protest march for George Floyd, think a little about Gabriele Sandri.
Gary Larkin – he was a pioneer disco DJ, strangely, not from New York, but from Pittsburgh. I’ve found reliable press news about him, according to which Gary was an award winner, Billboard regional DJ. In the 70s he also was a head distributor for the Pocono Record Pool, in Paterson NJ. I remember him for an extraordinary declaration, released by a historic DJ of New Jersey, who told to press that Gary had taught him the technique of mixing the vinyl records on the beat. Evidently, Gary was a rare, fantastic person, who didn’t fear competition, and didn’t suffer from professional jealousy.
Gavin Ford – a British-born international radio DJ, who worked in Britain, France, Cyprus, Israel, and Lebanon. His main activity was in Lebanon, where he was the most popular morning breakfast host on Beirut Radio One. Gavin’s show, who went on for 22 years until his death, was named “Gavin Ford in the morning”. Gavin lived in an apartment in the suburbs of Beirut, where he was beaten to death in 2018, by two Syrian robbers, when he was 53. Internet sources describe Gavin as a gentleman, with nice lifestyle and many friends. A source adds that he was too much kind, and “a little bit gullible”. After having provoked Gavin’s death, the two robbers have even stolen Fred, Gavin’s dog. Perhaps, animal lovers are not necessarily good persons, and can sometimes be robbers and killers.
Gene Shay – reportedly a “giant of folk music”, who ran a folk show in Philadelphia, on various local radio stations, from 1968 to 2015 (the last 20 years on WXPN-FM). Sadly, on April 18, 2020 he passed away, during a hospitalization for COVID-19, at 85. Since 2018, he was a widower. He has left behind a daughter. In brief, another generous man taken away by the deadly virus, who is massacring senior persons.
Gabriele Sandri aka DJ Gabbri Gaber aka DJ Gabbo – an appreciated DJ of nightclubs from Rome, who, under the nickname of DJ Gabbo, worked at the following top class venues: Piper (Rome), Bloom (Rome), Cabala (Rome), Jackie O’ (Rome), and Tartarughino (Porto Rotondo). He was a fantastic young man, whose commitment went even in the social field, for battles against drugs. Sadly, he was a fan of a soccer team of Rome, the Lazio S. S., and one bad day in 2007 he went with some friends to the stadium, outside of Rome, by car. An information destined to non-Italians: since many years, the Lazio S. S. is rumored as a favorite team of white supremacists. Gabriele was sleeping in the back seats of the car, when the driver stopped at a service station on the A1 highway, near the town of Arezzo. While his friends were inside the building, there was a small scuffle between fans of opposite teams, involving the fans of the Lazio S. S.. From another, different service area, distant about 1 hundred meters, a policeman, Mr. Luigi Spaccarotella, saw the quarrel and he lost his head. Years after, Mr. Spaccarotella has declared he wanted to shoot a gunshot in the air, in order to stop the disorders. Unluckily, he hit Gabriele inside the car. Gabriele went from sleep to death, when he was only 26. Gabriele had never done anything illegal in all his lifetime! Do me a favor: when you feel ready to go to a protest march for George Floyd, think a little about Gabriele Sandri.
Gary Larkin – he was a pioneer disco DJ, strangely, not from New York, but from Pittsburgh. I’ve found reliable press news about him, according to which Gary was an award winner, Billboard regional DJ. In the 70s he also was a head distributor for the Pocono Record Pool, in Paterson NJ. I remember him for an extraordinary declaration, released by a historic DJ of New Jersey, who told to press that Gary had taught him the technique of mixing the vinyl records on the beat. Evidently, Gary was a rare, fantastic person, who didn’t fear competition, and didn’t suffer from professional jealousy.
Gavin Ford – a British-born international radio DJ, who worked in Britain, France, Cyprus, Israel, and Lebanon. His main activity was in Lebanon, where he was the most popular morning breakfast host on Beirut Radio One. Gavin’s show, who went on for 22 years until his death, was named “Gavin Ford in the morning”. Gavin lived in an apartment in the suburbs of Beirut, where he was beaten to death in 2018, by two Syrian robbers, when he was 53. Internet sources describe Gavin as a gentleman, with nice lifestyle and many friends. A source adds that he was too much kind, and “a little bit gullible”. After having provoked Gavin’s death, the two robbers have even stolen Fred, Gavin’s dog. Perhaps, animal lovers are not necessarily good persons, and can sometimes be robbers and killers.
Gene Shay – reportedly a “giant of folk music”, who ran a folk show in Philadelphia, on various local radio stations, from 1968 to 2015 (the last 20 years on WXPN-FM). Sadly, on April 18, 2020 he passed away, during a hospitalization for COVID-19, at 85. Since 2018, he was a widower. He has left behind a daughter. In brief, another generous man taken away by the deadly virus, who is massacring senior persons.
George Geiger – a successful writer and producer for many memorable TV shows in Hollywood, who started the career as a radio DJ on Tampa Bay’s WUSF 89.7-FM, in the year 1966. George, together with his friend Michael Scott, invented, produced, and presented a show named “Jazz Night”. The activity of George on WUSF lasted for about 4 years, until he graduated and went to Hollywood, but the radio show endured for 56 years. George Geiger died on February 17, 2022, at the age of 74, from several intersecting medical problems, 4 months after the death of his beloved wife.
George “GK” Klein – a radio DJ with a 60-year-long career, who is especially remembered for having been the best friend of Elvis Presley from 1948 to 1977, and a member of the “Memphis Mafia” of the king of rock ’n’ roll. He was born in Memphis, and started the radio career in Arkansas. Successively, GK became a legend of radio stations in Memphis, among which WMC and WHBQ. For a decade, he also was a TV host in Memphis, and his show was named “Talent Party”. Of course, GK’s kind of music was the Memphis one, from rock ‘n’ roll and pop to soul music. During his lifetime, GK was condemned to prison for mail fraud. He died in 2019, aged 83, from complications of dementia and pneumonia.
George Lawson – a huge personality of the nightlife at clubs in Bristol UK, the DJ who invented the “Kandi Klub” in 1989. DJ George Lawson made 2000 people dancing every Saturday night, for more than 20 years, at the rhythm of indie alternative music. I admire such a professional, innovative and courageous, hoping that someone in my country will be able to follow his musical legacy. He died in 2017, at 63, after a long battle with cancer.
George Lawson – a huge personality of the nightlife at clubs in Bristol UK, the DJ who invented the “Kandi Klub” in 1989. DJ George Lawson made 2000 people dancing every Saturday night, for more than 20 years, at the rhythm of indie alternative music. I admire such a professional, innovative and courageous, hoping that someone in my country will be able to follow his musical legacy. He died in 2017, at 63, after a long battle with cancer.
Gerald Blume, known as “Jerry Bishop” – a veteran radio personality, voiceover, and announcer from Connecticut, with a bachelor degree in journalism. He worked on many radio stations in Connecticut, and in Los Angeles, but he is especially popular as an announcer of “Judge Jury” for 24 years, and as a voice of Disney Channel for 15 years. Gerald died on April 21, 2020, from heart and kidney failure, at the age of 84.
Gerard “Mul” Mulholland – a top Belfast DJ, active in nightclubs across Northern Ireland, and a part of global internet radio. He also started a record label, named “Dark Energy Records”. He is remembered as a gentleman, and a family man. He died in 2013, at a house party in Twinbrook’s Thornhill Court, when he was 42, from ingesting “speckled Rolex”, a yellow pill containing ecstasy laced with PMMA, that caused him an overdose. At the time of Gerard’s death, speckled Rolex was a big social problem in Northern Ireland, for having caused a dozen deaths in a few months. I observe that one of those pills costs about 3-4 euro, while the value of your life is inestimable, so it’s not an appropriate investment.
Gerard “Mul” Mulholland – a top Belfast DJ, active in nightclubs across Northern Ireland, and a part of global internet radio. He also started a record label, named “Dark Energy Records”. He is remembered as a gentleman, and a family man. He died in 2013, at a house party in Twinbrook’s Thornhill Court, when he was 42, from ingesting “speckled Rolex”, a yellow pill containing ecstasy laced with PMMA, that caused him an overdose. At the time of Gerard’s death, speckled Rolex was a big social problem in Northern Ireland, for having caused a dozen deaths in a few months. I observe that one of those pills costs about 3-4 euro, while the value of your life is inestimable, so it’s not an appropriate investment.
Gerardino “Dino” Pascali – a brotherly friend to the globally-known DJ Mr. Claudio Coccoluto, the both born in Gaeta Italy and now deceased. Dino was a radio DJ, and a nightclub DJ, involved by the municipal administration of Gaeta in the organization of big, musical events. Dino died in the year 2017, aged 56, from “a sudden illness” (I haven’t find more about it), three years before DJ Coccoluto. You should not confound Dino Pascali with Pino Pascali, a modern sculptor dead in 1968.
Gianfranco Felli, aka DJ Felli – a DJ of nightclubs and street parties, born near Taranto and based in Lenno, a beautiful village near Como’s Lake. He was a good entertainer, well-known and beloved. Sadly, Gianfranco died in February 2015, aged 59, from an aneurysm. A geographical warning, while Como’s Lake is in Italy, Lake Como is a municipality of New Jersey.
Gianluca Magnani aka DJ Magnus – a Romagnol rock DJ, specialized in punk music, who was especially active in the municipality of Cesena, from 1990 to 1994, at Radio Melody FM, and at the Vidia nightclub. He is remembered for the accuracy of his playlists, always prepared and meditated. After the DJ activity, Gianluca became a professional, male nurse. He died at 49 while on jogging, because of heart failure. Well, the personal history of Gianluca represents a precious warning to everyone, nothing can be surely useful for your health, neither your professional knowledge, nor a regular physical activity, such as jogging.
Gianni Maselli – a pioneer DJ from Ravenna, active in many nightclubs of the Romagnola Coast from 1978 to 2004. A list of the clubs where Gianni has been working (many of them have now ceased the activity): Eva 2000 (the venue of his debut), Bobo, Kojak, Thriller, Cap Creus, Baccara, Ecu, Cocoricò, and Xenos. Gianni was one of the leaders of the so called Afro-funky movement, together with DJ Ebreo, DJ Spranga, DJ Rubens, DJ Mozart, and DJ Fary. He died in November 2019 at 61, no mass media has exactly reported the cause of the death (I’ve only found a generic “aggravation of the precarious state of health”). According to many aficionados, the Afro-funky movement has provoked “a revolution in the nightlife at clubs”. Ok, what do I think about that? I rarely play the same track twice in my mixes. For me, playing always the same 2-300 tracks for more than 30 years would be an unsustainable boredom. Despite, respect and rest in peace.
Gianluca Magnani aka DJ Magnus – a Romagnol rock DJ, specialized in punk music, who was especially active in the municipality of Cesena, from 1990 to 1994, at Radio Melody FM, and at the Vidia nightclub. He is remembered for the accuracy of his playlists, always prepared and meditated. After the DJ activity, Gianluca became a professional, male nurse. He died at 49 while on jogging, because of heart failure. Well, the personal history of Gianluca represents a precious warning to everyone, nothing can be surely useful for your health, neither your professional knowledge, nor a regular physical activity, such as jogging.
Gianni Maselli – a pioneer DJ from Ravenna, active in many nightclubs of the Romagnola Coast from 1978 to 2004. A list of the clubs where Gianni has been working (many of them have now ceased the activity): Eva 2000 (the venue of his debut), Bobo, Kojak, Thriller, Cap Creus, Baccara, Ecu, Cocoricò, and Xenos. Gianni was one of the leaders of the so called Afro-funky movement, together with DJ Ebreo, DJ Spranga, DJ Rubens, DJ Mozart, and DJ Fary. He died in November 2019 at 61, no mass media has exactly reported the cause of the death (I’ve only found a generic “aggravation of the precarious state of health”). According to many aficionados, the Afro-funky movement has provoked “a revolution in the nightlife at clubs”. Ok, what do I think about that? I rarely play the same track twice in my mixes. For me, playing always the same 2-300 tracks for more than 30 years would be an unsustainable boredom. Despite, respect and rest in peace.
Giba DJ, born Alberto Gilberti – a kind and generous music lover from Ficarolo Italy, who was an appreciated dance DJ, belonging to the so-called Afro-funky movement. Giba was a friend to DJ Yano, one of the most prominent members of the movement. After a period of economic problems, Gilberto died in May, 2021, from a “severe illness” (I can’t tell more), at the age of 61. Strangely, the dead body was cremated in Mantua, at a place named “the garden of cremation”, that is not very popular.
Gigi Meroni – one of the best DJs and entertainers of Italian local radios and TVs, who was on Radio 105 Milan from 1986 to 2000, the most important radio network of Italy, and became also a VJ in the most followed local TV stations, such as Telemontecarlo. He was an expert of soccer, and the son of Giovanni Meroni, a famous owner of a cycling team. He also owned a driving school agency. Gigi had a notable sense of humor, and collaborated to “The Mondays soccer’s unofficial tribunal” (Il processo del lunedì), the most popular TV show about soccer of the history of Italian journalism. Gigi was a friend of many personalities of professional soccer. Sadly, in the year 2012 he died from a serious disease, aged 52. Thanks to Gigi, you can know that even if business is business, you can remain into business with a smile on your face.
Giorgio Giordano, aliases “Double G” and “Giò Giò” – a nightclub DJ from Versilia Italy, who still belongs to local mythology and so, sorry, I’ve found many articles, all of them filled with contradictions and scarcely verified. Logically, I can’t refer perfect information about Giorgio. Giorgio made 5 generations of people dance to the sound of disco and of house music, at the following clubs in Tuscany (and others): Santa Monica, Hop Frog, Bussola, Cavalluccio Marino, and Seven Apples. He also was a collaborator of Radio Babilonia. In the year 2000, he was the author of a big, international success of house music, the fantastic track titled House of Glass feat. G. Giordano – disco down, that I’m going to rework for the blog, as a tribute to Giorgio. Recently, Giorgio survived from Covid-19, but, sadly, in September 2021 he died from an “incurable illness”. He was aged 68, according to some journalists, or 69, according to others.
Giovanni Scivoletto aka DJ Scivolo – for 20 years, the resident DJ of the “Globo”, a maxi-discotheque with 5 dance floors, still active, opened more than 40 years ago, and located in a village of 2000 inhabitants, near to the Italian town of Vercelli. Giovanni died in 2019 at 57, from “an illness that he had courageously fought” (I haven’t find anything more). He has left a wife and three sons. A curiosity: Giovanni’s nickname is translatable into English as “helter-skelter”, although he had nothing to do with Charles Manson.
Grandmaster Flowers aka Jonathon Cameron Flowers – a legend of hip hop from Brooklyn, and the mythic resident DJ of the nightclub “Stardust Ballroom”, in the Bronx, starting from the final years of the 70’s. Grandmaster Flowers gained fame for being the first to perform the scratching technique on a horse of battle of DJ Walter Gibbons, Incredible Bongo Band – Apache (1973). He is also signaled as the inspirer of Grandmaster Flash, and as an opener for James Brown at the Yankee Stadium live concert. Sadly, Grandmaster Flowers was addicted to drugs, and died too much early, in the year 1992, the exact age is unknown (I think about 40 years old).
Greggory A. Gilbert aka DJ Teddybear – an American DJ of bars, with an amazing physical resemblance to a teddy bear. He passed away in 2012, at 44, from a pathology that I don’t know. He has left a wife and two children. Given that he wasn’t hugely popular, my information is scarce. However, I’ve appreciated his self-irony, and the geniality of his nickname.
Gus Gossert – a successful radio DJ of WPIX New York 2, who had a musical show dedicated to 50’s oldies, of the doo-wop genre. I’ve seen on the web the news about a compilation, which contains Gus’ music. Gus died on August 10, 1976, at 33. He was shot dead with three bullets in the head, reportedly inside his Chevrolet, in Knox County. The case of his murder has been reopened in 2014, together with two other cold cases, the one of the disabled sisters Suzanne and Patricia Williams, and the one of Michael Gerald King. The cited murders are named “the Appalachian unsolved”. The mystery is still thick, and the murders remain inexplicable. I think it’s strange and notable the fact that Gus was found with his sunglasses on, despite of the three gunshots. Perhaps, the killer had wanted to hide Gus’ eyes.
Greggory A. Gilbert aka DJ Teddybear – an American DJ of bars, with an amazing physical resemblance to a teddy bear. He passed away in 2012, at 44, from a pathology that I don’t know. He has left a wife and two children. Given that he wasn’t hugely popular, my information is scarce. However, I’ve appreciated his self-irony, and the geniality of his nickname.
Gus Gossert – a successful radio DJ of WPIX New York 2, who had a musical show dedicated to 50’s oldies, of the doo-wop genre. I’ve seen on the web the news about a compilation, which contains Gus’ music. Gus died on August 10, 1976, at 33. He was shot dead with three bullets in the head, reportedly inside his Chevrolet, in Knox County. The case of his murder has been reopened in 2014, together with two other cold cases, the one of the disabled sisters Suzanne and Patricia Williams, and the one of Michael Gerald King. The cited murders are named “the Appalachian unsolved”. The mystery is still thick, and the murders remain inexplicable. I think it’s strange and notable the fact that Gus was found with his sunglasses on, despite of the three gunshots. Perhaps, the killer had wanted to hide Gus’ eyes.
Guy Stevens – a fundamental music personality from the UK, and the originator of the profession of nightclub DJ.
Haralambos N. Koskinas, nicknamed Bobby, and known as DJ Phreak – a Greek American entrepreneur from Highland, Indiana US, who was also a DJ, playing old school house music at Corker’s Tavern & Grill, a restaurant now permanently close (Oct 2023). He was popular in the Greek Orthodox community. Alas, DJ Phreak died on August 29, 2009, at the age of 33, from an automobile accident.
Harold Ronald “Ron” Harkins, known as “Ron the Pro DJ” – a native of Arizona, graduated from Tempe High School, who attended the Ron Bailie School of Broadcast. Together with his beloved wife, he built and operated a radio station, KSTM-FM 107.1. Ron was a professional DJ since the 1959, for 63 years and 11 months. He died peacefully in Phoenix in the year 2020, at the age of 76.
Harry Harrison – a New Yorker born in Chicago, the radio DJ who gently awakened New York for many years. He was active from 1959 to 2003, on the radio stations WMCA, WABC, and WCBS-FM. Before starting the radio career, he followed seminary studies. He became an authentic person, with a genuine, Christian philosophy. He died in January 2020, aged 89, from multiple health problems. Harry Harrison has been inserted in the Radio Hall of Fame.
Henri Belolo – a music producer and songwriter born in Casablanca Morocco, who became, together with Jacques Morali, the legendary founder of two top bands of the disco era, the Ritchie Family and the Village People. As a boy, he was exposed to American music in Morocco. Around the year 1965, he travelled to Paris France, where he knew Eddie Barclay of Barclay Records, and saw the earliest French DJs playing records with two turntables at jazz clubs, as an imitation of the praxes of British mod clubs. Back to Morocco, he began to import some vinyl from Barclay Records, and became a DJ/entertainer at local nightclubs. Henri used to play the records with only one turntable, and to accompany the music by beating percussions. In the year 1973, he migrated to NYC, and founded the “Can’t Stop Productions”. In the crucial year 1975, Henri knew Jacques Morali, and started a successful collaboration, that changed the record industry. In the 80’s, he produced the Break Machine, a popular band who leaded the subgenre known in Europe as “break dance”. After the end of the disco era, Henri was back to Paris France, where he lived together with his wife. He died in Paris on August 3, 2019, aged 82. A curiosity, Mr. Belolo, the founder of the most popular gay band of the 70’s, the Village People, was not gay, and took the inspiration from visiting some gay nightclubs of NYC.
Henry “H” Love – a radio presenter on Sine FM Doncaster, well-known in the club circuit of northern England. Henry went on presenting his R&B show, even after meningitis had left him paralyzed, because of a diagnosed spinal TB. Sadly, despite of the high level of personal motivations, he died in October 2021. Sorry, I can’t say more about him.
Herb Oscar Anderson – a radio DJ, since the late 50’s, and an actor, from Illinois, who was on air in New York, Minneapolis, Albany, and Florida. Herb gained his popularity on WABC-AM in NYC, from 1960 to 1968, so that he nicknamed himself “The Morning Mayor of New York”. He also was one of the DJs who adopted the “Top 40” format, and gave a notable contribution to the Beatlemania. Herb died in 2017, aged 88, from kidney failure.
Herb “the Cool Gent” Kent – a radio DJ in Chicago for about 72 years, probably the longest-running DJ in the history of radio. He died at 88 on the 22th of October 2016, after the usual morning radio broadcasting! He is still popular for having been “the King of Dusties”, because of his passion for old records. He was active in the field of civil rights, and a teacher in radio broadcasting at the Chicago State University. Herb Kent’s lifetime is a demonstration that the most motivated professionals don’t want any retirement treatment. Sadly, my country, Italy, is a land of retirees, in pension today or aspiring to retirement.
Herb “the Cool Gent” Kent – a radio DJ in Chicago for about 72 years, probably the longest-running DJ in the history of radio. He died at 88 on the 22th of October 2016, after the usual morning radio broadcasting! He is still popular for having been “the King of Dusties”, because of his passion for old records. He was active in the field of civil rights, and a teacher in radio broadcasting at the Chicago State University. Herb Kent’s lifetime is a demonstration that the most motivated professionals don’t want any retirement treatment. Sadly, my country, Italy, is a land of retirees, in pension today or aspiring to retirement.
Howard Wilson Merritt Jr. – a pioneer disco DJ from NY, active since the year 1972 at important gay nightclubs, starting from the Sandpiper (Fire Island). For 5 years, DJ Howard Merritt was the resident DJ of the Flamingo, one of the top historic discotheques in the Big Apple. After the many experiences in NYC, he emigrated in San Francisco, in Miami, and, during the last period of the lifetime, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Howard became the manager of two nightclubs, the Copa in Key West FL, and the Scandals Saloon in Fort Lauderdale. According to him, Jim Burgess has been the best disco DJ of history. Howard Merritt Jr. died in the year 2022, at the age of 71. I haven’t found the cause of the death. They say that he died peacefully, assisted by his husband, Mr. Daniel Larrimore.
Howie Pyro, born Howard Kusten – a popular bassist from NYC, founder of the punk rock band the D Generation, and a member for three years of the metal band Danzig (participation to the LP “I Luciferi”). Beside the activity of musician, Howie was also a successful DJ, playing vinyl classics and punk rock. During the last years of his lifetime, he was the resident DJ at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles. In the year 2021, Howie had a liver transplant, evidently, not completely successful. In effect, he died on May 4, 2022, at the age of 61, they say “from a COVID-19-related pneumonia”. For that, I notice that he can be listed as the twenty-ninth DJ dead from COVID-19, and remembered in the page.
Howlin’ Dave, born Dante David – according to many, the best rock DJ in the history of Philippines. Howlin’ Dave was a radio disc-jockey, considered by critics as a mixture of the best qualities of Wolfman Jack and John Peel. He started the career in 1974, on DRZJ-AM, with a weekend program of 30 minutes, dedicated to “Pinoy”, the Filipino rock music. In the 80’s, he popularized new wave and punk rock. The voice of Howlin’ Dave was booming, and he is known for an atypical use of the Tagalog language. In late 80’s, he was diagnosed with brain tumor. Despite, he continued the radio activity for more than 20 years, on DRZJ, Rock 990, and Nu 107. Howlin’ Dave died at home in May 2008, aged 52, from a stroke.
Ian Carey, alias Illicit Funk, born Ian Joseph Harshman – an international DJ of the house music scene from Maryland, who also was a successful dance music producer, multi-platinum. Ian died on August 20, 2021, aged 46. The cause of the death has not been revealed. Personally, I’ve appreciated Ian’s great work on the track titled “rise” by the Soul Providers.
Ian “Sammy” Samwell – a British musician, singer, guitarist, songwriter, and record producer, who have been working for many years at the biggest companies of the industry. According to the British journalist Dave Godin, the creator of the expression “Northern Soul”, Ian Sammy Samwell was the first dance DJ of history. In brief, in August 1961, at the Lyceum Ballroom in London, Ian Samwell made people dance on Sundays and Tuesdays to the sound of turntables, by utilizing its own vinyl records. Well, in my opinion the first professional DJ of nightclubs in the world was another British, Mr. Guy Stevens. While I still don’t know any title of Ian Samwell’s records, that he played at the Lyceum Ballroom, I have found hundreds tracks of the Guy Stevens’ playlists. Nevertheless, I respect Dave Godin’s opinion, and Ian Samwell as a polyhedral musical personality. Ian Samwell died in 2003, at 66, may he rest in peace.
Ian “Sammy” Samwell – a British musician, singer, guitarist, songwriter, and record producer, who have been working for many years at the biggest companies of the industry. According to the British journalist Dave Godin, the creator of the expression “Northern Soul”, Ian Sammy Samwell was the first dance DJ of history. In brief, in August 1961, at the Lyceum Ballroom in London, Ian Samwell made people dance on Sundays and Tuesdays to the sound of turntables, by utilizing its own vinyl records. Well, in my opinion the first professional DJ of nightclubs in the world was another British, Mr. Guy Stevens. While I still don’t know any title of Ian Samwell’s records, that he played at the Lyceum Ballroom, I have found hundreds tracks of the Guy Stevens’ playlists. Nevertheless, I respect Dave Godin’s opinion, and Ian Samwell as a polyhedral musical personality. Ian Samwell died in 2003, at 66, may he rest in peace.
Including Phil Valentine, 5 American radio hosts, all of them no vax, dead from COVID-19 – for something about Phil Valentine, please see above. The other four radio hosts: Bob Enyart, on air in Denver, died on September 12, 2021 (twenty-seventh); Dick Farrel, on air in South Florida, died on August 6, 2021 (twenty-third); Jimmy DeYoung, on air in Charlotte, died on August 15, 2021 (twenty-fourth); and Marc Bernier, on air in Daytona Beach, died on August 28, 2021 (twenty-fifth). Well, my dear friends, the radio hosts, who were guilty of badmouthing the vaccines against COVID-19, have been too much soon raped by the God of the Underworld. So, take care of yourself. I only wish the rebirth of another God, who loves the mankind.
Ivan Ciullo aka DJ Ivan Navi – a radio DJ for two local stations, Radio Skylab and Radio Salentuosi, born and living in Southern Italy, near the town of Lecce. He was a creative, and a lover of deep techno. Similarly to Andrea Calò (see above), Ivan was found dead in 2015, at 34, hanged on an olive tree with a microphone cable. The criminal judicial investigation has been opened and closed for two times, the second closure has been decided this year, 2019, although an official expert excluded the possibility of a suicide. Differently from Andrea Calò, whose death reportedly is inexplicable, local press have talked about a homosexual relationship between Ivan and a retired policeman, however, without proposing any connection of the relationship to the death.
Ivan Ciullo aka DJ Ivan Navi – a radio DJ for two local stations, Radio Skylab and Radio Salentuosi, born and living in Southern Italy, near the town of Lecce. He was a creative, and a lover of deep techno. Similarly to Andrea Calò (see above), Ivan was found dead in 2015, at 34, hanged on an olive tree with a microphone cable. The criminal judicial investigation has been opened and closed for two times, the second closure has been decided this year, 2019, although an official expert excluded the possibility of a suicide. Differently from Andrea Calò, whose death reportedly is inexplicable, local press have talked about a homosexual relationship between Ivan and a retired policeman, however, without proposing any connection of the relationship to the death.
Jack Comer, better known as Jack O’Shea – a radio DJ for 5 decades in the Huntington Area, West Virginia, starting from the year 1958, on WKEE AM Radio. He was a “Boomer Era DJ”, inserted in the West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Jack died in March 2021, at the age of 85. You should not confound Jack Comer with Jack “Spot” Comer, who was a British gangster dead in 1996.
Jack Leroy Cooper – the first African-American radio DJ of history, nicknamed “the undisputed patriarch of black radio in the US”. As a young, he was a boxer and a baseball player. In the 20’s, Jack was writing theater reviews for the Chicago Defender. On November 3, 1929, he started his very first radio show, the “All-Negro Hour” on WSBC. In the 30’s, he was one of the earliest DJs to broadcast gramophone records, of the gospel and jazz genres, employing his own phonograph. In 1938, he had a new show, named “Search for Missing Persons”. During his 40-years long career on radios, he always was a factor of racial integration, for instance, by accurately avoiding any kind of slang. He retired in 1959, and died in 1970, aged 81. In Chicago, locality West Pullman, a public park is named “Cooper Park” in his honor. Curiously, a recognized pioneer of the public reproduction of recorded music died contemporarily to the birth of disco music.
Jack Simpson – for more than 40 years, the “gentleman of jazz”, a radio DJ and an oral historian of jazz music, who was a mainstay on WUCF 89.9 FM, a radio station in Orlando FL. Jack was especially focalized on the sub-genres of swing and of be-bop. He interviewed jazz legends, such as Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton, and Count Basie. In September 2020 he died at 96. In Europe, a professional DJ exclusively devoted to jazz music is extremely rare.
Jackmaster Pez, born Roberto Pezzetti – a pioneer disco DJ at historic nightclubs in Milan, since the late 70’s, born in Novara. He also performed in various places in Italy, and all over Europe. Some of the most famous Italian nightclubs where he made people dance: Gattopardo, Divina, No Ties (a top club in Milan), One Night Matmos, Cocoricò, Paradiso, Echoes, Kama Kama, Crossover, and so on. Sadly, Jackmaster Pez died in October 2021, after a long battle with a serious illness, at the age of 53. I can remember him for having been one of the professionals who went from electronic disco to house music, and notably contributed to change the industry. A small warning, I’ve reported the data contained in 5-6 press articles from Italian newspapers, although I have doubts about the beginning of the profession. More clearly, in the year 1979, Jackmaster Pez was only 12.
Jackson Cummings aka DJ Fred Bear – a popular DJ from Trentham UK, well-known across North Staffordshire. Unluckily, he suffered for about 21 years from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and took the anti-depressant Seroxat. They say that Jackson used to alter the amount of medication, without consulting doctors. As it seems, the behavior can provoke a notable inclination to suicide. In effect, on January 15, 2019, Jackson jumped from the top of a multi-storey car park in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and died at 41, the day before the 42nd birthday. He has been remembered in his hometown with a beautiful mosaic. The motto of Jackson, which is kept alive by his family, was “be excellent to each other”.
Jader Carlo Girardi – a DJ of nightclubs from Porto Tolle, near the Italian town of Rovigo. He was also active on local radios. Sadly, Jader passed away in August 2021, after a long illness, at the age of 51. He has left behind a son, a daughter, his parents, and a brother. Giada, the daughter, has published a message, addressed to the dead father. The message says something like: “I know that you’re in paradise, and that you will protect me, and the other members of your family”.
Jah Shaka, also known as Zulu Warrior – a pivotal DJ and producer of dub music (the style of reggae), born in Jamaica, who emigrated in London as a child in late 50’s, where the musical career lasted from 1968 to 2023. The musical style of Jah Shaka was “distinct and spiritual”, and made him influential in the field of jungle music. Sadly, Jah Shaka died on April 12, 2023, at the age of 75. I haven’t found the cause of the death.
Jamal Edwards – a British DJ and music entrepreneur, who gave a notable contribution to the development of music on the YouTube platform. He was many times honored and awarded. Jamal was the son of a celebrity, Mrs. Brenda Edwards, who, one bad morning in April 2022, found his dead body at home. He died after a DJ set at a bar, during which he had abused of cocaine and alcohol. Jamal was killed by arrhythmia, that lead him to heart arrest. I thank Jamal for the precious contribution to music, and pray for the survival of his soul.
James Franklin “Jimmy” O’Neill – an American radio DJ, and popular TV presenter, who hosted the successful show named “Shindig!”, from 1964 to 1966 on ABC television. Jimmy is known all-over the world, for having bought, and brought to large popularity, the Pandora’s Box, a coffee house in Los Angeles, Sunset Boulevard. The Pandora’s Box became the epicenter of “teenage riots” in November 1966, and a milestone of the counterculture of the 60’s. It inspired dozens of global hits of pop and rock music, such as the Buffalo Springfield – for what it’s worth, and Frank Zappa – plastic people. Jimmy was married three times, retired in the mid 90’s, and died on January 22, 2013, aged 73.
James “Moby” Carney – a popular radio DJ from Crossville Tennessee, with blue-collar parents, who started a 40-year-long career at the age of 15, at WDSV-AM, by proposing gospel music on Sunday mornings. The nickname “Moby” was given him when he was a young boy, and used to swim in a peculiar way. The career grew up in Nashville, Dallas, Houston, Tampa, and Atlanta, and was especially focused on country-rock music. From the 1990’s to the 2000’s, DJ Moby gained a large popularity as a morning DJ for Kicks 101.5, a radio station in Atlanta. Mr. Carney died in September 2023, at the age of 69, from cancer. Some sources say “liver cancer”, and vaguely talk about unhealthy habits. Other sources say “stomach cancer”. He has been survived by a wife, and two children.
Jamie Roy – an international DJ of nightclubs from Scotland, who was also a musician and an actor. He performed as a DJ in Spain, Albania, UK, and Costa Rica. Sadly, he suddenly died on September 21, 2022, aged 33. The cause of the death is not known to public opinion. I’ve found many detailed data about Jamie, from many different web sites. Unfortunately, a notable number of the data differs from one site to others. More in general, perhaps, human mistakes can gift you with some privacy.
Janice Long – a radio and TV presenter with a more than 40-year-career, born in England, whose large popularity was a pillar of the global pop music industry. Her pivotal role was officially recognized and awarded, even with the honorary doctorate from Edge Hill University, West Lancashire, in the year 2018. She was compared by musical experts to the legendary John Peel. Sadly, she died on the Christmas day in 2021, aged 66. About the cause of the death, various web sources have reported the following declarations: pneumonia; short illness; short-term illness; the cause is unknown. You know, in similar cases, that unluckily are many, it’s hard to not thinking about COVID-19, or about fatal events connected to vaccinations against COVID-19.
Jason William Mizell aka Jam Master Jay – a musician and a DJ from Brooklyn, who has become a legend of hip hop. He was the DJ of the Run-D.M.C., perhaps the most popular hip hop group in the entire world. Strangely, while Brooklyn has given birth to the most legendary DJs in the entire world, Jam Master Jay learned how to be a DJ in Atlantic City, from DJ Lou Hauck. Jam Master Jay’s most notable participation to the Run-D.M.C.’s activity is present on the album “Raising hell”. In 1989, Jam Master Jay established his own record label, the Jam Master Jay Records. He was shot to death in 2002, Queens locality, at 37 years of age. The murder case still remains unsolved.
Jason William Mizell aka Jam Master Jay – a musician and a DJ from Brooklyn, who has become a legend of hip hop. He was the DJ of the Run-D.M.C., perhaps the most popular hip hop group in the entire world. Strangely, while Brooklyn has given birth to the most legendary DJs in the entire world, Jam Master Jay learned how to be a DJ in Atlantic City, from DJ Lou Hauck. Jam Master Jay’s most notable participation to the Run-D.M.C.’s activity is present on the album “Raising hell”. In 1989, Jam Master Jay established his own record label, the Jam Master Jay Records. He was shot to death in 2002, Queens locality, at 37 years of age. The murder case still remains unsolved.
Jason Winder – a radio DJ from the UK, they say ultra-talented, who was working in Thailand. Unfortunately, in June 2023 he decided to attend the Glastonbury Festival, where he suddenly fell ill and died, at the age of 48. The police have not considered the death as “suspect”. I haven’t found anything else about the strange kind of illness, in a dozen of press articles.
Jason Zambito aka DJ Jason Jinx – I beg your pardon, the information I’ve found is scarce; however, Jason was a New York-based DJ, belonging to the local rave and club scene, from 1991, the year of the debut, to 2019, the year of the death. The cause of the death is unknown, and I can’t tell how old he was on the day he died. Starting from the year 1995, he was also a remixer, and a record producer. He’s known as a “pioneer of the drum ‘n’ bass musical genre in the USA”. Jason had been performing in some notorious clubs of the Big Apple, such as the Tunnel, and the Limelight. I’ve liked his efforts to avoid banality and boredom, by employing many different musical genres.
Jean Paul Guerrero aka DJ Jinx Paul – a popular DJ on radio La Mega 97.9 FM, Latin Radio Station of NYC. He was a Hispanic New Yorker, although the local media have called him “Spanish” or “Latin”, following the strange mania of the Big Apple, consisting of underlining the ethnicity of its inhabitants. DJ Jinx Paul started his activity at 9, and has been working in over 100 clubs and lounges throughout New York City. He was struck to death by a vehicle in Brooklyn, they say it was a hit-and-run, on December 19, 2019, at 39 years of age. In 2019, the driver of the vehicle has been found, and has pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an incident without reporting. In Italy, the national legislation provides the crime of vehicular homicide, with very severe penalties. What’s the result of that? Drivers are in fear of the huge consequences of unwanted incidents, and so no one stops to help the victim after the event. Of course, the number of vehicular fatalities has been notably increased. My comment is that the application of political correctness to criminal legislation might not be populist, but, perhaps, idiot.
Jason Zambito aka DJ Jason Jinx – I beg your pardon, the information I’ve found is scarce; however, Jason was a New York-based DJ, belonging to the local rave and club scene, from 1991, the year of the debut, to 2019, the year of the death. The cause of the death is unknown, and I can’t tell how old he was on the day he died. Starting from the year 1995, he was also a remixer, and a record producer. He’s known as a “pioneer of the drum ‘n’ bass musical genre in the USA”. Jason had been performing in some notorious clubs of the Big Apple, such as the Tunnel, and the Limelight. I’ve liked his efforts to avoid banality and boredom, by employing many different musical genres.
Jean Paul Guerrero aka DJ Jinx Paul – a popular DJ on radio La Mega 97.9 FM, Latin Radio Station of NYC. He was a Hispanic New Yorker, although the local media have called him “Spanish” or “Latin”, following the strange mania of the Big Apple, consisting of underlining the ethnicity of its inhabitants. DJ Jinx Paul started his activity at 9, and has been working in over 100 clubs and lounges throughout New York City. He was struck to death by a vehicle in Brooklyn, they say it was a hit-and-run, on December 19, 2019, at 39 years of age. In 2019, the driver of the vehicle has been found, and has pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an incident without reporting. In Italy, the national legislation provides the crime of vehicular homicide, with very severe penalties. What’s the result of that? Drivers are in fear of the huge consequences of unwanted incidents, and so no one stops to help the victim after the event. Of course, the number of vehicular fatalities has been notably increased. My comment is that the application of political correctness to criminal legislation might not be populist, but, perhaps, idiot.
Jean-Michel Basquiat – a graphic artist well-known all over the world, strictly bound to Brooklyn NYC, where he gained popularity and respect in late 70’s by participating to the duo named SAMO, of graffiti painters on buildings in Lower Manhattan. As a street artist, his works were deeply connected to rap and punk music. In the 80’s, after having reached out for a stardom status, he became a regular at the Area nightclub in NYC, where he occasionally was the DJ, for music’s sake and for fun. Jean-Michel died on August 12, 1988, at the age of 27, from heroin overdose. The artist deserves a page in the blog. Unluckily, the list of future, promised pages is becoming rather long.
Jeff Leon, known as DJ Jazzy Jeff – a popular and well-known DJ from Loreauville, Louisiana US, with 20 years of experience. He was missing after a concert in Baton Rouge, since the early hours of Saturday August 12, 2023. His wife, Mrs. Latasha Leon, called him on the phone after the concert, and he said he was coming back home. Jeff didn’t come home, and Mrs. Leon informed the sheriff’s office. The dead body of Jeff Leon was found by the sheriff’s office of West Baton Rouge, inside the car he owned, a Ford Expedition of 2008. Police officers have seen that Jeff died from a car crash along I-10, near mile post 145. He was 53.
Jerry Okirwoth – a part-time nightclub DJ in Nebbi District, and a student at Parombo Secondary School, Uganda. He was murdered by the local mob organization, for failing to play the gangsters’ favorite songs. The title of the press article, about the death, is: “Ugandan DJ killed for playing boring music”!!! In memory of Jerry, I can only say: “respect to you, rest in peace”. However, I observe that if playing boring music was a sufficient reason to kill a DJ, hundreds of DJs I know would have been deadly shot for many times. More precisely, one time per each performance.
Jerry Okirwoth – a part-time nightclub DJ in Nebbi District, and a student at Parombo Secondary School, Uganda. He was murdered by the local mob organization, for failing to play the gangsters’ favorite songs. The title of the press article, about the death, is: “Ugandan DJ killed for playing boring music”!!! In memory of Jerry, I can only say: “respect to you, rest in peace”. However, I observe that if playing boring music was a sufficient reason to kill a DJ, hundreds of DJs I know would have been deadly shot for many times. More precisely, one time per each performance.
Jerry Phillips – the most politically correct voice on radios in the Washington area, for more than 4 decades. The radio stations: WHUR-FM, WBIG-FM, and WTEM-AM. Before the activity on radios of advocate for the city’s poor, social motivator of blacks, and host of social events for Washington’s black society, Jerry had studied to become a Catholic priest. He was a criticizer of bourgeoisie, and served on the board of Catholic Charities. Jerry died at home on August 29, 2014, at the age of 75. The cause of the death is multiple myeloma. I declare my respect for Jerry, who was sincere, and not Machiavellian.
Jessie Turner – an Australian beautiful female DJ, filled with passion, who died nearly before Christmas in 2016, at 25, from a terrible car crash. Ms. Turner usually wore glasses and, reportedly, she was driving in violation of the speed limit on the Karrinyup Road, in the Balcatta suburb of Perth. She was a nice family girl and, at the moment, in a hurry because of the things connected to Christmas festivities. Unluckily, she tumbled out of the road, and her car violently hit a tree. You know, speed limits are often stupid, but sometimes the observance of them can save your life. Ok, not always.
Jill Janus aka DJ Penelope Tuesdae – at first, a topless DJ, and later a successful singer of the heavy metal genre. She was a beautiful and talented woman. Sadly, she was affected with bipolar disorder, which worsened and became mental pathology. Moreover, she had a hysterectomy, after a diagnosis of uterus cancer. At the end, in August 2018 she committed suicide, when she was only 42 (some say “43”). The lecture of her biography has reminded me of a proverb, that says “it’s better to be born lucky than rich”.
Jim Burgess – one of the best disco DJs of history, active from 1975 to 1981. He was from Florida, where he had an education as a classical tenor. He started as a DJ in Florida, then he moved to the nightclub Limelight in Atlanta, where he was discovered by the owners of the 12 West, one of the most important discotheques in NYC. In NYC, he played at the best nightclubs, and became a legend of remixes. In 1981, he retired, holding his last party at the Saint club. The final song of his final set was “Gladys Knight – neither one of us (wants to be the first to say goodbye)”. Almost everyone at the Saint fell in a deep state of sadness. Evidently, he conserved the emotional ability of tenors, even inside the DJ booth.
Jim “Jimmy” Stuard – a pioneer disco DJ born in Oklahoma, who learned the profession in Boston, at the Club 1270, thanks to his friend DJ Danae Jacovidis. Around the year 1975, Jimmy and Danae were hired at the famous 12 West nightclub in NYC, thanks to Barry Lederer’s recommendation. He became famous by obtaining echo effects from mixing two copies of El Coco – let’s get it together. His horse of battle was the Trammps – that’s where the happy people go. He also had a regular mix show, of about 4 hours, on radio 92 KTU FM. Jimmy died on the 25th of May 1977 at 33, in the fire accident occurred at the Everard Baths, from smoke inhalation. As an Italian fan of disco, I have to thank Jimmy Stuard for a famous remix of Armando Trovajoli – sesso matto, a theme from an Italian film of 1973, based on the riff of Manu Dibango – soul makossa (1972).
Jill Janus aka DJ Penelope Tuesdae – at first, a topless DJ, and later a successful singer of the heavy metal genre. She was a beautiful and talented woman. Sadly, she was affected with bipolar disorder, which worsened and became mental pathology. Moreover, she had a hysterectomy, after a diagnosis of uterus cancer. At the end, in August 2018 she committed suicide, when she was only 42 (some say “43”). The lecture of her biography has reminded me of a proverb, that says “it’s better to be born lucky than rich”.
Jim Burgess – one of the best disco DJs of history, active from 1975 to 1981. He was from Florida, where he had an education as a classical tenor. He started as a DJ in Florida, then he moved to the nightclub Limelight in Atlanta, where he was discovered by the owners of the 12 West, one of the most important discotheques in NYC. In NYC, he played at the best nightclubs, and became a legend of remixes. In 1981, he retired, holding his last party at the Saint club. The final song of his final set was “Gladys Knight – neither one of us (wants to be the first to say goodbye)”. Almost everyone at the Saint fell in a deep state of sadness. Evidently, he conserved the emotional ability of tenors, even inside the DJ booth.
Jim “Jimmy” Stuard – a pioneer disco DJ born in Oklahoma, who learned the profession in Boston, at the Club 1270, thanks to his friend DJ Danae Jacovidis. Around the year 1975, Jimmy and Danae were hired at the famous 12 West nightclub in NYC, thanks to Barry Lederer’s recommendation. He became famous by obtaining echo effects from mixing two copies of El Coco – let’s get it together. His horse of battle was the Trammps – that’s where the happy people go. He also had a regular mix show, of about 4 hours, on radio 92 KTU FM. Jimmy died on the 25th of May 1977 at 33, in the fire accident occurred at the Everard Baths, from smoke inhalation. As an Italian fan of disco, I have to thank Jimmy Stuard for a famous remix of Armando Trovajoli – sesso matto, a theme from an Italian film of 1973, based on the riff of Manu Dibango – soul makossa (1972).
Jim Ladd – a, largely popular, rock radio DJ from California, US, whose long and successful career started in the year 1969, on KNAC radio station. He was a friend to the Doors, and to Tom Petty, who wrote a song for him, titled “the last DJ”. Jim received high awards. Sadly, he died on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at the age of 75, from a heart attack, while he was at his home in Los Angeles. Condolences to Jim’s wife. However, I have the suspicion that the very last DJ is not yet born.
Jimmy Savile – a radio DJ and a musical personality from the UK. Sadly, he was a pedophiliac, a necrophiliac, and a rapist. Despite, no one has been more important than him, in spreading pop music all over the world. So, I think I can say “thank you” to a deceased, sexual maniac.
Jimmy Savile – a radio DJ and a musical personality from the UK. Sadly, he was a pedophiliac, a necrophiliac, and a rapist. Despite, no one has been more important than him, in spreading pop music all over the world. So, I think I can say “thank you” to a deceased, sexual maniac.
Jimmy Young – Margaret Thatcher’s favorite radio presenter, who interviewed the Iron Lady for 14 times. He was a popular radio DJ on the BBC, Radio 1 and Radio 2. In the 50’s, he even became a chart-topping singer. Jimmy retired in 2002, and died peacefully at home on November 7, 2016, at the age of 95.
Johan Núñez Rebolledo aka DJ Benzo – a nightclub DJ from Conchali Chile, who, after the graduation in graphic design, one bad night in February 2015, at 5 AM, was going home from work. DJ Benzo was leaning against a car, not owned by him, while waiting for a ride back home, and two criminals, Mr. Mauricio Morales and Mr. Ramiro Pizarro, menaced DJ Benzo with a gun, in order to force him to give them the keys of the car. Of course, DJ Benzo didn’t have the keys, and thus received a fatal gunshot in the neck. DJ Benzo was 25. The criminals run away on board of another car, owned by a couple, Mr. Sergio Sargadia Pino and Miss Jennifer Centeno Candia. Local authority has been incredibly efficient. One year later, the First Court of Santiago has condemned to life prison Mauricio Morales and Ramiro Pizarro for homicide, and to years of prison Sergio Sargadia Pino for helping two killers. What can I tell? We Italians can only dream the efficiency of the criminal justice of Chile, which is far better than the Italian one. Please, copy something!
John Aielli – a native of Cincinnati, who at the age of 8 migrated with his family to Texas. His parents were jazz musicians. He found his first job as a DJ at radio KLEN in Austin. In the year 1966, Aielli started a long collaboration with KUT-KUTX radio station. Since the year 1970, he became “wildly popular” thanks to the show named “Eklektikos”, 6 hours long for 5 days a week. Aielli was an expert of classical music, that he used to mix with songs by the Beatles, rock and roll, folk, and pop. His style was conversational, and his imagination over-active. John Aielli was gay, and lived his lifetime alone. In the year 2012, he suffered from a heart attack, and in the year 2020 was hit by a stroke. After two years of fighting against the complications of stroke, John Aielli died on July 31, 2022, at the age of 76.
John Donald Imus Jr., known as DJ Don Imus – a radio DJ from California, on air for more than 50 years, who has been defined “shock-jock”. He was a horrible adolescent, and intolerant at schools during the entire lifetime. Don Imus built up a national fame on his acid tongue, often prone to defamatory speech, racism, and misogyny. He was also known for infamous prank calls. Imus has been fired for three times, nevertheless he constantly had a big audience, and a notable success. He also became the writer of two best seller books. Don Imus, starting from the 70’s, had big problems with alcoholism and abuse of cocaine. He was married two times, and had 6 children, 3 of which adopted. In spite of the terrible reputation, Imus constantly made excellent work for private charity. He died in December 2019, aged 79, from complications of lung disease. Well, the story of Don Imus is the evidence that the majority of Americans can’t appreciate political correctness.
John Gannon – during 25 years, the top alternative DJ at nightclubs in Manchester UK. His favorite musical genres were goth, and indie. John is remembered for his performances at the following venues: Satan’s Hollow, Jilly’s Rockworld, Jordan’s Fab Café, Tiger Lounge, and Ritz. He gained a special popularity for the Monday nights at the Ritz. They say that John was genuine, intelligent, and affable. He died in July 2020, at the age of 55, after a long battle with kidney failure.
John Peel – a talented radio DJ from UK, who made electronic music popular all over Europe. He was also a great sustainer of punk rock. His legacy deserves a tribute page in the blog.
John Perrone aka Midnight Johnny – a local radio DJ of WOMR 92.1 FM, Provincetown MA, who had been playing soul music for 20 years, during his Tuesday night show. He was a Navy veteran, and a lover of the Motown sound. Sadly, Midnight Johnny died on April 6, 2020 of COVID-19, at the Cape Cod Hospital Hyannis, septuagenarian. For what I’ve found, you might listen to a Stevie Wonder’s song, in his memory, and as a simple tribute.
John Peel – a talented radio DJ from UK, who made electronic music popular all over Europe. He was also a great sustainer of punk rock. His legacy deserves a tribute page in the blog.
John Perrone aka Midnight Johnny – a local radio DJ of WOMR 92.1 FM, Provincetown MA, who had been playing soul music for 20 years, during his Tuesday night show. He was a Navy veteran, and a lover of the Motown sound. Sadly, Midnight Johnny died on April 6, 2020 of COVID-19, at the Cape Cod Hospital Hyannis, septuagenarian. For what I’ve found, you might listen to a Stevie Wonder’s song, in his memory, and as a simple tribute.
John “the Canuck” Wiechenthal – a dispatcher, and a radio DJ from Ionia County, Michigan, the local radio is named B-93.7 FM. I’ve found many pages about the death of John, but, sorry, I can only tell that he was beloved, and that has left behind a wife, and 2 step-children. In summary, John died on December 21, 2017, at the age of 39, after a terrible vehicular crash in Kentwood, along Kalamazoo Avenue. He was driving his Chevy Impala, while a pickup truck, Ford F-150, crashed into the rear of the car, at 99 Mph. The driver of the truck, Mr. Mark Hokzema, has not been criminally persecuted, even if the local speed limit is 55 Mph, because authorities have verified an absence of criminal liability. The personal situation of Mr. Hokzema was reasonably provoked by a surgery intervention on November 27, 2017, for a brain tumor. In effect, he can’t remember anything of the fatal crash.
John Thomas Vobbe, known with the nicknames “Jack Thomas” and “Brother Jack” – a radio DJ from Toledo Ohio, with a long career in Ohio and in Michigan. He was a Lutheran, and a contributor of many non-profit agencies. Musically speaking, DJ Jack Thomas was an expert of Christmas music. Sadly, he died on March 30, 2017, aged 76, they say “peacefully”.
John Walter Brower Jr., known as “Big John” – an extraordinary salesman from New Jersey, who became rich by selling tires, also thanks to appearances on local radios, since the 70’s. Big John was elected for two times councilman of Volusia County. Due to the notable popularity acquired, he hosted a regular radio show on Saturday mornings, for a pair of decades. Big John divorced twice, and had an active social life. He was an animal lover, and a philanthropist. Big John died in May 2022 at the age of 76, from congestive heart failure and kidney failure.
Johnny Owen – a radio DJ and entertainer for 45 years, born in Stoke-on-Trent UK. He was witty, and knew how to capture the attention of listeners. He wrote an autobiography, titled “A proper job – living on the radio”. Johnny fell ill from cancer in 2019, and died in October 2020, aged 66.
Jonathan Adderley aka DJ Jonty SkruFFF – a music lover from Britain, sorry I didn’t find the age at the day of the death, who in late 80s was working at the New York’s nightclub Danceteria, where he nearly died because of an accident involving a lift. In the 90s, in London, he became a professional in the field of music, more precisely a journalist, and a radio DJ. In the year 2004, he also became a club DJ at the Fabric in London, then he worked at the Pacha in Ibiza, and, starting from the year 2008, was the resident DJ of the club Sisyphos in Berlin. The music was techno/EDM. DJ Jonty SkyFFF has been a music blogger since 2010, with notable popularity. Finally, his eclecticism reached the top, thanks to the activities of producer, and music consultant. Sadly, he died on March 3, 2020, from cancer, and only the death was able to stop his passionate contribution to the music industry. Well, I have appreciated an unspoken, implicit illusion of DJ SkruFFF, that music, and music professionals don’t have an age.
Jonathan Fearing – a club DJ, and remixer, who performed at the best historical NYC nightclubs, such as the 12 West, the Cock Ring, the Fun House, and the Ice Palace. As an Italian fan of the disco music, I have to thank him, because he was important in giving birth and developing the so called “Italo-disco”, with a successful remix of the song “café” by the DD Sound (the disco band of the La Bionda brothers).
Jonathan Adderley aka DJ Jonty SkruFFF – a music lover from Britain, sorry I didn’t find the age at the day of the death, who in late 80s was working at the New York’s nightclub Danceteria, where he nearly died because of an accident involving a lift. In the 90s, in London, he became a professional in the field of music, more precisely a journalist, and a radio DJ. In the year 2004, he also became a club DJ at the Fabric in London, then he worked at the Pacha in Ibiza, and, starting from the year 2008, was the resident DJ of the club Sisyphos in Berlin. The music was techno/EDM. DJ Jonty SkyFFF has been a music blogger since 2010, with notable popularity. Finally, his eclecticism reached the top, thanks to the activities of producer, and music consultant. Sadly, he died on March 3, 2020, from cancer, and only the death was able to stop his passionate contribution to the music industry. Well, I have appreciated an unspoken, implicit illusion of DJ SkruFFF, that music, and music professionals don’t have an age.
Jonathan Fearing – a club DJ, and remixer, who performed at the best historical NYC nightclubs, such as the 12 West, the Cock Ring, the Fun House, and the Ice Palace. As an Italian fan of the disco music, I have to thank him, because he was important in giving birth and developing the so called “Italo-disco”, with a successful remix of the song “café” by the DD Sound (the disco band of the La Bionda brothers).
Jonathan Harry “Jono” Coleman – a radio giant born in London, whose career was partly in Australia, and partly in the UK. He was chiefly a popular radio-TV presenter, with a generous and caring nature, various times awarded. During the last period of his life, from 2006 to 2021, Jono lived in Australia, together with his wife and sons. In the year 2018, he fell ill with prostate cancer, and died in July 2021, at the age of 65.
Jonathan Strappa – a worker in the field of computer graphics from the Italian village of Porto Sant’Elpidio, who was also a passionate DJ of local events, active on the web, and a supporter of the musical band named XGiove, formed by his brother. Jonathan died during a hike on the mountains, in January 2022, at the age of 34. So, a man living at seaside lost his life on the mountains, and new technologies, that he was able to dominate, didn’t help him.
José Padilla – the Emperor of Chill-out music, and the true master of the ambient house musical genre, as a legendary beach DJ, and a music producer, based in Ibiza. José was born in Barcelona, although he lived the most part of his life in Ibiza, where he died in 2020, aged 64. Unofficially, the death has been a consequence of cancer surgery. The name of José Padilla is strictly bound to the global notoriety of the “Café Del Mar”. What has José given to me? A fantastic idea, even if very hard to put into practice, which is the attempt to put the colors of sunsets at sea into a DJ’s musical program.
José Padilla – the Emperor of Chill-out music, and the true master of the ambient house musical genre, as a legendary beach DJ, and a music producer, based in Ibiza. José was born in Barcelona, although he lived the most part of his life in Ibiza, where he died in 2020, aged 64. Unofficially, the death has been a consequence of cancer surgery. The name of José Padilla is strictly bound to the global notoriety of the “Café Del Mar”. What has José given to me? A fantastic idea, even if very hard to put into practice, which is the attempt to put the colors of sunsets at sea into a DJ’s musical program.
Josh Wilson – a veteran of the Afghanistan war from Birmingham US, who was a much-loved DJ of his own nightclub, the CEO of a record label dedicated to underground house music, and an organizer of events. Sadly, Josh committed suicide on October 11, 2022, at the age of 30. For what I’ve understood, the terrible fact has shocked the relatives and local community.
Joshua “Bluegreen” Cripps – a professional wedding DJ from Santa Rosa, US, who was multi-talented. Beside the DJ activity, he was a trumpeter, a magician, a yoga instructor, and a producer of EDM. Joshua was voted the best DJ in the North Bay for multiple years. He was a lovable person, loved by everyone. Sadly, Joshua died on January 31, 2022, from pancreatic disease, at the age of 44.
Judith Genneth – a truly uncommon radio DJ, born in Alabama and living in The Dalles Oregon, who held a doctorate in geology, and was a translator from Norwegian to English. She was a folk DJ, and a music reviewer, who hosted a successful program on Oregon’s KPSU radio from 2002 to 2010. Her kinds of music were bizarre and, generally, rooted in Europe, such as polkas, Celtic, Balkan, folk metal, and so on. She died in 2011 from cancer, I haven’t found the age. I don’t think that in my country has ever existed someone like Judith.
Kadeem Johnson aka DJ Kiddo – a former student and aspiring DJ from Piarco Trinidad and Tobago, who was accidentally shot to death in 2019, aged 18, during a gang warfare. Kadeem had only the first experiences as a professional DJ, on radio Boom Champions 94.1 FM in Port of Spain, and at Ramco Industries LTD. According to his parents and to his friends, Kadeem’s death was senseless, the innocent who paid for the guilty.
Kate Reyes – a beautiful, sexy mother of two, and a former DJ of radio Lush 99.5 FM Singapore, who was diagnosed with breast cancer relapse while pregnant, in 2005. She was a great person, and a great radio DJ, with an amazing sultry voice. Sadly, she died in 2014, at 41, leaving behind a husband, and two children. Unluckily, even radio Lush 99.5 FM has ceased the activity, although it was a very interesting station, based on Indie music, and with a fantastic slogan: “sexy, sensual, smooth”! This time, I would like to see two rebirths, the one of Kate, and the one of a radio station similar to Lush 99.5 FM.
Keith Carter aka DJ Big Kap aka the Wardin – a native New Yorker, and a fundamental personality of the hip-hop scene. In the 90’s, he was a regular DJ of nightclubs in New York, even at the Tunnel, a historic place known almost all over the world. Successively, he was a rapper, a music producer, and, in the last 4-5 months of his life, a DJ on a popular internet radio based in Atlanta, named “Highly Unique Radio”. According to many, he was an incredible talker, with an unique voice. He died in 2016 when he was 45, a case of sudden cardiac death, although in presence of diabetes. DJ Big Kap was a professional very American. In effect, in the US, DJs tend to be musicians, rather than sound technicians or record collectors, especially in the hip-hop scene.
Keith Minshull – one of the thousands persons, who still remember Keith, has written that Keith was “an internationally renowned Northern Soul DJ”. Keith was from Kidsgrove, a town in the borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire England. Well, he was one of the originators of the Northern Soul movement, as an appreciated DJ at the legendary nightclubs Golden Torch, Blackpool Mecca, Tiffany’s, and Top Rank Hanley. Someone says even at the Wigan Casino, although my sources don’t contain anything about the kind of residency, or performance as a guest DJ. Sadly, DJ Keith Minshull died on November 11, 2020, aged 70, after a hospitalization. I’m preparing a tribute page in his honor.
Kelley “Kelli” Hand, aka DJ K-Hand – an esteemed DJ and the founder of Arcadia Records, she was a pioneer of the “Detroit techno” subgenre of house music, in 2017 officially nominated “the first lady of Detroit techno“. She had been a frequenter of the Paradise Garage in NYC, when DJ Larry Levan was playing. Of course, Larry’s music was the strongest influence of DJ K-Hand. Sadly, she died in August 2021, they say, from “arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease”, at the age of 56. Differently, about the uncommon kind of departure, local press reported that “the cause of death is private”. Honestly, I think that, after the end of life, the deceased individual can’t have any interest in protecting its personal data. So, can someone tell me who’s damaged from the cause of death of DJ K-Hand? Given that, since December 2020, thousands deaths are similarly strange, someone on social networks has posted a suspicion, potentially damaging Big Pharma. Alas, evidences are absent.
Kenny Everett aka Maurice James Christopher Cole – a talented radio DJ from the UK, and a personality of Radio London and Radio Luxembourg, the pirate radios that have made the history of pop music. During his lifetime, he became a DJ on BBC Radio 1, a comedian, and a television entertainer. As a radio DJ, Kenny was a creator of surreal characters, such as Captain Kremmen, and an irreverent speaker with a chameleonic voice. During his career, he was dismissed two times, after criticisms of a politician’s wife, and after some remarks about religion. Although, for once in his lifetime, he was married to a female artist, Kenny was a gay man, and a close friend to Freddy Mercury. In the political field, he was an uncommon supporter of the British Conservative party, especially of Margaret Thatcher. He died from an AIDS-related illness in 1995, aged 50. My readers know that I’ve inserted in a mix of the blog the single “Kenny Everett & Mike Vickers – Captain Kremmen (retribution)”. I remember Kenny Everett for two ideas in the field of radio: the importance of musical jingles; the compilations of the world’s worst records, known as “Bottom 30”.
Kenny Everett aka Maurice James Christopher Cole – a talented radio DJ from the UK, and a personality of Radio London and Radio Luxembourg, the pirate radios that have made the history of pop music. During his lifetime, he became a DJ on BBC Radio 1, a comedian, and a television entertainer. As a radio DJ, Kenny was a creator of surreal characters, such as Captain Kremmen, and an irreverent speaker with a chameleonic voice. During his career, he was dismissed two times, after criticisms of a politician’s wife, and after some remarks about religion. Although, for once in his lifetime, he was married to a female artist, Kenny was a gay man, and a close friend to Freddy Mercury. In the political field, he was an uncommon supporter of the British Conservative party, especially of Margaret Thatcher. He died from an AIDS-related illness in 1995, aged 50. My readers know that I’ve inserted in a mix of the blog the single “Kenny Everett & Mike Vickers – Captain Kremmen (retribution)”. I remember Kenny Everett for two ideas in the field of radio: the importance of musical jingles; the compilations of the world’s worst records, known as “Bottom 30”.
Kevin Greening – an English radio DJ, who started the radio career in 1989, in the Bristol area. He met the success by presenting breakfast shows. In January 1994 Kevin was hired at BBC Radio 1. He became a well-known activist of gay rights, belonging to the top of political correctness. Sadly, Kevin died in December 2007, aged 44. British authorities have discovered that the cause of the death was self-induced drug overdose (cocaine, ecstasy, and GHB), during a bondage session.
Kit Carson aka Charles Carson – despite of the large popularity of the nickname, Mr. Carson was not exactly a celebrity. He was a radio DJ on KRUX 1360 AM in Phoenix, now KPXQ, a Christian radio station. About him, I can only tell the following things: you should not confuse him with the popular character of the magazine of comics “Tex”, published in Italy; you should not confuse him with the American frontiersman of the 19th Century, who opened the American West to European settlement (Carson City, Nevada); Mr. Carson, the DJ, died in 2018.
K-Swift aka Khia Danielle Edgerton – a DJ of 92Q Radio One Network, and of local nightclubs, in Baltimore US. She started the radio career when she was 18, and gained a large popularity in the Baltimore area. She died on Sunday July 20, 2008, after the end of a pool party, from jumping into the pool, when she was 29. You see, death can be unforeseeable, strange, and sudden.
Lance Wise – a pioneer disco DJs of the 70s, who worked at some of the best historic discotheques in NYC. The names of the venues: 12 West, Alex In Wonderland, Anvil, Les Mouches (as a guest DJ), and Uncle Paul’s. At the Uncle Paul’s, he shared the DJ booth with his male lover. Lance was a disciple of Bobby “DJ” Guttadaro, perhaps the best disco DJ of history, and one of the best remixers. Lance came from Atlanta, one of the rare pioneer disco DJs not born in New York. In 2003, he become a skinny man, and died of a big disease with a little name.
Larry Levan – a legend of the mixer, according to many Americans, the best DJ, and the best remixer. As a disco DJ, he preferred soulful records, and long versions on 12” vinyl. According to my information and my opinions, he was respectful to persons and to music, always proposing almost the entire length of the musical selections. Many of his horses of battle have become classics, and still contains LGBT messages, that, when he was in the DJ booth, were able to create enthusiastic reactions of the crowds. Honestly, Italian disco dancers were deeply different from the New Yorkers, and they would not appreciate Larry’s style. Personally, in a dance DJ I appreciate improvisation ability, unpredictability, originality, creativity, eclectic choices, and, generally, capacity of keeping any feeling of boredom away from the performance. Honestly, I understand that, if you’re going to follow my tastes, you will never become a symbol, or a superstar of the mixer.
Lelio Luttazzi – a radio and TV personality of the Italian public broadcasting company (RAI), especially popular as a radio DJ, thanks to the program “Hit Parade”, started on the 6th of January 1967. For pop music in Italy, he was as important as the mythic Jimmy Savile. During his frantic lifetime, Lelio was even imprisoned, because of behaviors connected to drugs abuse. After that, despite of his large popularity, Lelio’s career was at first suspended, and then decelerated. It’s a confirmation that Italy is a country of strong moralism, and weak morality.
Lance Wise – a pioneer disco DJs of the 70s, who worked at some of the best historic discotheques in NYC. The names of the venues: 12 West, Alex In Wonderland, Anvil, Les Mouches (as a guest DJ), and Uncle Paul’s. At the Uncle Paul’s, he shared the DJ booth with his male lover. Lance was a disciple of Bobby “DJ” Guttadaro, perhaps the best disco DJ of history, and one of the best remixers. Lance came from Atlanta, one of the rare pioneer disco DJs not born in New York. In 2003, he become a skinny man, and died of a big disease with a little name.
Larry Levan – a legend of the mixer, according to many Americans, the best DJ, and the best remixer. As a disco DJ, he preferred soulful records, and long versions on 12” vinyl. According to my information and my opinions, he was respectful to persons and to music, always proposing almost the entire length of the musical selections. Many of his horses of battle have become classics, and still contains LGBT messages, that, when he was in the DJ booth, were able to create enthusiastic reactions of the crowds. Honestly, Italian disco dancers were deeply different from the New Yorkers, and they would not appreciate Larry’s style. Personally, in a dance DJ I appreciate improvisation ability, unpredictability, originality, creativity, eclectic choices, and, generally, capacity of keeping any feeling of boredom away from the performance. Honestly, I understand that, if you’re going to follow my tastes, you will never become a symbol, or a superstar of the mixer.
Lelio Luttazzi – a radio and TV personality of the Italian public broadcasting company (RAI), especially popular as a radio DJ, thanks to the program “Hit Parade”, started on the 6th of January 1967. For pop music in Italy, he was as important as the mythic Jimmy Savile. During his frantic lifetime, Lelio was even imprisoned, because of behaviors connected to drugs abuse. After that, despite of his large popularity, Lelio’s career was at first suspended, and then decelerated. It’s a confirmation that Italy is a country of strong moralism, and weak morality.
Lello Saba aka Luigi Raffaele D’Ascoli – a DJ, especially of nightclubs, from Modena Italy, who started to mix vinyl records on the beat in the year 1983, at 18 years of age. The names of the nightclubs where he has been performing: Mac2, Living (a famous club in Bologna), Piccadilly, Stryx, New Charlie, and Picchio Rosso. According to press, he was the first Italian DJ to regularly scratch records, and a very accurate professional. He died in the year 2017, at 51, while sleeping. Lello was a typical man from Emilia Romagna region, industrious and friendly. In Emilia Romagna region, communism is something like a traditional flag, for instance an ancient city banner, although substantially meaningless, and light years away from Marxian theories.
Leo Vela – a South Floridian radio DJ, of Latino origins, who was a prominent member of “Spanglish” culture, on air from 1978 to the year of the death, 2021. His smooth voice was often switching between Spanish and English, on radio stations in Florida and in San Antonio. Leo’s music genres were disco and salsa. Sadly, he died in August 2021, from heart problems, aged 65.
Leon Botha aka DJ Solarize – a painter and a turntablist from Cape Town, South Africa, who was diagnosed with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, more or less, when he was 4 months old. Progeria is a rare pathology, consisting of premature advancing of age, no effective treatment has been found. The average lifetime of patients is about 13 years. Leon was an uncommon person, also because he died at 26, in 2011. Despite of many serious health problems, Leon was a successful creative, with strong personal motivations. You can conclude that strong personal motivations are a factor able to prolong your lifetime.
Leonardo Re Cecconi, aka DJ Leopardo, aka “The Lion” – a popular DJ of some FM radio stations in the Milan area, and also a disco DJ, I personally heard performing around the year 1984, in Mantua at the “Caravel” discotheque. He also produced some records, among which “the Band Of Jocks – let’s all dance”. He was especially funny as a radio DJ, for a peculiar kind of rhotacism. I remember him for his will of promoting dance records made in Italy. I can say he contributed to the development of the so called “Italo-disco”, which grew up to become a global phenomenon.
Leon Botha aka DJ Solarize – a painter and a turntablist from Cape Town, South Africa, who was diagnosed with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, more or less, when he was 4 months old. Progeria is a rare pathology, consisting of premature advancing of age, no effective treatment has been found. The average lifetime of patients is about 13 years. Leon was an uncommon person, also because he died at 26, in 2011. Despite of many serious health problems, Leon was a successful creative, with strong personal motivations. You can conclude that strong personal motivations are a factor able to prolong your lifetime.
Leonardo Re Cecconi, aka DJ Leopardo, aka “The Lion” – a popular DJ of some FM radio stations in the Milan area, and also a disco DJ, I personally heard performing around the year 1984, in Mantua at the “Caravel” discotheque. He also produced some records, among which “the Band Of Jocks – let’s all dance”. He was especially funny as a radio DJ, for a peculiar kind of rhotacism. I remember him for his will of promoting dance records made in Italy. I can say he contributed to the development of the so called “Italo-disco”, which grew up to become a global phenomenon.
Leone Di Lernia – a songwriter of the trash-pop musical genre from Trani Italy, who gained a large popularity in the 90’s, with the activity of radio DJ on the most important radio network of Italy, and by publishing funny covers of dance tracks, sung in a dialect of Puglia region. During his long artistic career, Leone gifted millions of Italians with many, innocent smiles, and released 42 LPs. Sadly, Leone died on February 28, 2017, at the age of 79. Given that I’m a listener of radios, even my life has become a little bit sadder, due to the loss of Leone’s peculiar humor.
Les Adams, alias L.A. Mix, alias the Mixdoctor – a British radio presenter, active since the year 1979, on Radio Jackie, Solar Radio, and Radio Luxembourg. Around the year 1980 (or later), he was one of the earliest British DJs to learn the American technique of matching the records on the beat. His teacher was the American DJ Greg James, a helper of Ritchie Kaczor, the legendary resident DJ of Studio 54 NYC. Les became a virtuoso of mixers, and a professional remixer for DMC Records. He even was a judge at the DMC World DJ Championships. Les died in 2019, aged 63, from a heart attack.
Liam Downing – reportedly, a brave disc-jockey from Leeds UK, who battled leukemia for 2 years, and died of coronavirus on the 27th of March 2020, at 30. Before dying, he said to the doctors: “save someone else”. For sure, he was a great man, may he rest in peace. About Liam, my criticism goes to the international press, for the resemblance to the Italian one. In effect, I wasn’t able to find a Liam’s biography, in dozens press articles!
Liam Downing – reportedly, a brave disc-jockey from Leeds UK, who battled leukemia for 2 years, and died of coronavirus on the 27th of March 2020, at 30. Before dying, he said to the doctors: “save someone else”. For sure, he was a great man, may he rest in peace. About Liam, my criticism goes to the international press, for the resemblance to the Italian one. In effect, I wasn’t able to find a Liam’s biography, in dozens press articles!
Likkle Wicked, born Courtney Boyd – a popular dancehall selector from Jamaica, since the 90’s. A dancehall selector is a sort of nightclub DJ and more, such as an organizer, an expert of sound systems, and an entertainer. Despite of the ghoulish nickname, Mr. Boyd was a kind and inspirational person. Sadly, he died in his early 40, in November 2020, from a massive stroke. He has left behind two daughters.
Lisa Helena Zarecky – a well-known and respected DJ born in Aldershot, England, who worked at parties and events in London, Bristol, and Swansea, and participated at Glastonbury Festival as the very first female breakbeat DJ. When young, she travelled a lot around Europe. In 2014, she was involved in a terrible car crash, after which she started to suffer from chronic back pain. She regularly took a lot of prescription medication, such as codeine, diazepam, and so on. Sadly, in January 2022, after a DJ gig, she was found dead on a sofa, at a friend’s home in Swansea. She was 48. Local authorities have found a tin foil near the dead body of Lisa, containing the rest of a heroine dose. In conclusion, the cause of the death was self-poisoning. They say that Lisa was energetic, creative, kind, and a caring soul. I humbly add that, evidently, she was a tortured soul.
Lisa Shaw – an English radio presenter and journalist, a popular voice of commercial radios and of the BBC. Sadly, she died on May 7, 2021, a few days after the first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine. Lisa was 44, and has left behind a husband and a son. In my country, Italy, around the beginning of July 2021, 423 deaths have been notified by physicians to the Ministry of Health, as possible adverse events of COVID-19 vaccinations. So, let me estimate that, in the last 3-4 months, COVID-19 vaccines might have killed more people than the SARS-COV-2 virus.
Liz West – one of the DJs of the legendary offshore radio station named “Laser558“, that broadcasted in the years 1984 and 1985, from a ship registered in Panama. She was born in the USA, and the best definition of her style might be “rock chick so chic”. Of course, Liz’s biography is rather mysterious. I can only tell that she died in 2002. You should not confound DJ Liz West with a namesake visual artist, born in the UK in the year 1985 and still in activity.
Lorcan “Larry” Gogan – he was named “The King of Irish Broadcasting”, as a popular TV showman and radio disk-jockey, for more than 50 years. His first radio selection was the Boomtown Rats – like clockwork, on the occasion of his first radio show on Rté Radio 2, in 1979. Larry’s musical contribution was almost exclusively in the field of pop music. His favorite album was the Steely Dan – Katy lied. As a radio DJ, he was also a king of British humor, especially during the “just a minute quiz”. Larry died in 2020, at 85, about 18 years after his beloved wife. As you can see, sometimes even the DJs die old and widower.
Lorcan “Larry” Gogan – he was named “The King of Irish Broadcasting”, as a popular TV showman and radio disk-jockey, for more than 50 years. His first radio selection was the Boomtown Rats – like clockwork, on the occasion of his first radio show on Rté Radio 2, in 1979. Larry’s musical contribution was almost exclusively in the field of pop music. His favorite album was the Steely Dan – Katy lied. As a radio DJ, he was also a king of British humor, especially during the “just a minute quiz”. Larry died in 2020, at 85, about 18 years after his beloved wife. As you can see, sometimes even the DJs die old and widower.
Lou Bellucci – an Italian entertainer and vocalist, who enriched the work of many DJs of nightclubs, such as the Diabolika, in the field of house music, starting from the year 1997. I’ve found a dozen articles about his death, even in prestigious newspapers, and I’ve accurately read all of them. Honestly, I can only tell that Lou is dead in the year 2017, and that it was a case of sudden cardiac death. Perhaps, the web era might be not always the kingdom of information.
Lou Grant aka Lou Ritchie – he was the morning man on the mic, and the voice of Ayrshire, a native of Ayr Scotland. A brilliant entertainer and a great communicator, he was nicknamed “the breakfast king on Smooth Radio”. In April 2020, Lou died at Mosswood Care Home, in Linwood Scotland, aged 83. A curious thing, Lou Grant used to end the radio shows with the phrase “stay warm, stay dry”, although he was a lover of pubs.
Louise Cattell aka DJ Little Lou – a beautiful, young, and altruistic girl from the UK, who died at 21 because of ketamine. While remembering her, I can tell that mass media are reporting a notable increase of ketamine use by the young, especially in the UK. What more can I say? If you can’t do anything better, please listen carefully to the song by Fatboy Slim titled “always read the label”.
Louise Cattell aka DJ Little Lou – a beautiful, young, and altruistic girl from the UK, who died at 21 because of ketamine. While remembering her, I can tell that mass media are reporting a notable increase of ketamine use by the young, especially in the UK. What more can I say? If you can’t do anything better, please listen carefully to the song by Fatboy Slim titled “always read the label”.
Lovebug Starski aka Kevin Smith – a DJ, then a rapper and a record producer from the Bronx NYC, who started the career at the nightclub “Disco Fever”, as one of the helpers of DJ Junebug. He has been one of the earliest personalities of the hip-hop scene, since the year 1978. Someone says that the expression “hip-hop” has been invented by Lovebug himself. Mr. Kevin Smith died in the year 2018, aged 57, from a heart attack, while carrying some loudspeakers systems. I remember him for the production titled “positive life” (1981), which was sampled in the year 1987 by the band M.A.R.R.S., and became a global success, under the title of “pump up the volume”.
Luca “Beguine” De Sio – from 1980 to 2010, he was the guiding light of the DJs in Salerno Italy, where he owned a DJ-oriented shop, selling import records, and audio equipment for DJs. Personally, Luca was a musician, a DJ, and a teacher of DJ techniques. In 2010, due to the digitalization of the DJs’ world, the shop was not going well, and Luca became a restorer. He died in 2015, at 59, from the consequences of a cardiac crisis. I think that Luca’s kind of activity in the field of music is very uncommon, even in Italy. It has a little bit of resemblance to the historic DJs of British Northern Soul, who chiefly were record collectors.
Luca Capogrosso – a young man born in Casoria Italy, near to Naples, an amateur DJ, and a lover of techno music, who was aspiring to become a professional nightclub DJ. Sadly, Luca died in 2018, at 19, from an illness, reportedly, “against which he had been fighting for such a long time”. May the pureness of his heart inspire the music of Heaven.
Luca “Beguine” De Sio – from 1980 to 2010, he was the guiding light of the DJs in Salerno Italy, where he owned a DJ-oriented shop, selling import records, and audio equipment for DJs. Personally, Luca was a musician, a DJ, and a teacher of DJ techniques. In 2010, due to the digitalization of the DJs’ world, the shop was not going well, and Luca became a restorer. He died in 2015, at 59, from the consequences of a cardiac crisis. I think that Luca’s kind of activity in the field of music is very uncommon, even in Italy. It has a little bit of resemblance to the historic DJs of British Northern Soul, who chiefly were record collectors.
Luca Capogrosso – a young man born in Casoria Italy, near to Naples, an amateur DJ, and a lover of techno music, who was aspiring to become a professional nightclub DJ. Sadly, Luca died in 2018, at 19, from an illness, reportedly, “against which he had been fighting for such a long time”. May the pureness of his heart inspire the music of Heaven.
Luca Casalucci aka DJ Shake The Rockfather aka Shakespeare – a rock DJ from a small village near the Italian town of Treviso, well-known all over the Veneto region. His name is bound to the “Hard Rock Café”. Luca died in 2019 at home, while sleeping, when he was 39, reportedly, because of a suspect heart failure. I think his nicknames tell a lot about him, and I don’t think that rock fans are wanting a lot of originality.
Luigi “Gigi” Ambrosio – an entrepreneur in Grosseto Italy, who managed a popular disco bar, named Café Ricasoli, where he become a self-taught DJ and barman. He was a former soccer player, at the professional level, and an amateur photographer. Gigi died in September 2021, after a long, fatal illness, at the age of 41. A brief warning. The same name “Luigi Ambrosio” belongs also to another DJ, working on radios in the Milan area, who is still alive.
Luigi “Gigione” Galmozzi – a funny man from Crema Italy, who was the sound technician of a reggae band, the “Tre Allegri Ragazzi Morti” (Three Happy Dead Boys), and a voice of a minor, local band, the “Contozero”. Luigi Galmozzi died in 2015 from a heart attack, aged 50. Gigione was the living proof that anti-heroes can have a lot of charisma.
Luis Costa, aka Luis DL Costa, aka DJ Magazino – an international DJ of nightclubs born in Setubal Portugal, who was at first a record collector. He started the DJ activity in the year 1994, when he was 17, at the nightclub “Clubissimo” in Setubal. He was a house music DJ, and the main influence came from DJ Laurent Garnier. DJ Magazino became a record producer, and the owner of an independent record label. Sadly, in the year 2019 he fell ill from leukemia, and a COVID-19 infection worsened his conditions, until he was hospitalized in a coma status. After two years of struggles, he died at home, in December 2021. DJ Magazino was aged 44. He has left a final message, filled with uncommon faith, in which he says that he’s sure to come back to existence, for helping those he has loved.
Lynn Tolliver Jr., aka David Payton, born Orrin Lynn Tolliver Jr. – one of the most prominent names of Cleveland radio, a DJ and then a program director on WZAK-FM 93.1 for 40 years (a source says 32). He became popular for outrageous stunts, and for being the leader of the hip-hop band of the 80’s named the Sexual Harassment, whose hit single “I need a freak” has been already employed in the blog. Honestly, the articles I’ve read about him contain contradictions, and different data. However, unfortunately, Mr. Tolliver died on Sunday, February 13 (and not 14 – see the calendar), 2022, at the age of 71. The cause of the death is undisclosed. Some sources say “short illness”, other sources say “long illness”.
Malcom Maycock – a British radio DJ, for 4 decades on air at BBC Radio 2, as an expert presenter of jazz music. He was awarded and, as they say, highly paid for a 52 hours-yearly-work. Mr. Maycock left BBC Radio 2 early in 2009, for salary problems, and strongly criticized the station, by accusing of having abandoned old listeners. He died in November, 2009, at the age of 70, I haven’t found the cause of the death.
Manuel Francisco “Paco” Navarro, aka Paquito – a popular radio DJ born in Puerto Rico, who moved to the USA in the 50’s, and became a Spanish voice on a minor radio station in New York. Success came in the year 1978, when Paco Navarro started to be a part of the golden era of disco music, by proposing Latin-disco on WKTU. He was an enthusiastic fan of John Travolta, and of the film “Saturday Night Fever”. DJ Paquito has been inserted in the Radio Hall of Fame. Alas, he died on August 8, 2019, from complications of pancreatic cancer, at the age of 82.
Marc Allen Scott aka DJ Toraino Tee Scott – a pioneer, American disco DJ, and remixer, chiefly active in various, NYC historical nightclubs. He was the first DJ to perform with three turntables. According to various sources, he was very energetic, and able to transmit his energy to the musical program. I humbly admit that I’m attempting to exploit a pair of Tee Scott’s ideas, mixing musical tracks on words and not on percussion breaks, and telling a story with the playlist.
Marc Allen Scott aka DJ Toraino Tee Scott – a pioneer, American disco DJ, and remixer, chiefly active in various, NYC historical nightclubs. He was the first DJ to perform with three turntables. According to various sources, he was very energetic, and able to transmit his energy to the musical program. I humbly admit that I’m attempting to exploit a pair of Tee Scott’s ideas, mixing musical tracks on words and not on percussion breaks, and telling a story with the playlist.
Marc Andrews (true name), alias Roy G. Biv – a legendary DJ of gay nightclubs in the London area, who also become a producer. He started the career at the nightclub “Heaven”, in the 80’s. After having acquired a relevant notoriety, Marc became the resident DJ at the Fridge in Brixton, also named “Love Muscle”. Musically speaking, I can define him an “eclectic DJ”, with an interesting taste. Among Marc’s horses of battle, there was an Italian production, Corona – rhythm of the night. Sadly, he died in May 2020, aged 57. Reportedly, the cause of the death is “uncertain”.
Marco Cuccurullo – the resident DJ of the fashionable nightclub “Oplonti Beach” in the Italian town of Torre Annunziata. Unluckily, on July 7, 2017, around 6 A.M., DJ Marco went home from work, at the number 15 of Rampa Nunziante Street. A few minutes after he had fallen asleep, the building collapsed, killing DJ Marco and other 9 persons, among whom two children. In the year 2021, the Tribunal of Torre Annunziata has condemned to years of prison 7 persons, for crimes connected to the described collapse. Ironically, DJ Marco’s father, dead together with Marco, was an architect, and Marco himself was an expert of fireworks. When he died, DJ Marco was 27.
Marco Trani – a legendary DJ of nightclubs from Rome, who performed at some of the top European discotheques, such as: Easy Going (Rome), Histeria (Rome), Pacha (Ibiza), Ministry Of Sound (London), Les Bain (Paris). Marco died in 2013 at 53, because of a stroke. He started to mix records on the beat in 1978, while working at the Easy Going, a gay club for VIPs, and so he was a pioneer disco DJ in the city of Rome. I’ve heard some tapes recorded by Marco live at clubs, and I’ve appreciated his courage, either in attempting difficult mixes, or in selecting peculiar tracks, I can define as “underground” (obscure records).
Marco Trani – a legendary DJ of nightclubs from Rome, who performed at some of the top European discotheques, such as: Easy Going (Rome), Histeria (Rome), Pacha (Ibiza), Ministry Of Sound (London), Les Bain (Paris). Marco died in 2013 at 53, because of a stroke. He started to mix records on the beat in 1978, while working at the Easy Going, a gay club for VIPs, and so he was a pioneer disco DJ in the city of Rome. I’ve heard some tapes recorded by Marco live at clubs, and I’ve appreciated his courage, either in attempting difficult mixes, or in selecting peculiar tracks, I can define as “underground” (obscure records).
Mark Atherton – a former radio DJ on a myriad of local stations near Derby UK, born in Chesterfield. When he fell ill from bile duct cancer, Mark was a trading standard officer for Derbyshire County Council. Sadly, he passed away at the Royal Hospital of Derby, on June 1, 2022.
Mark David Fisher – for 2 decades, an important part of the drum & bass community of Detroit, a DJ of local festivals, and a regular guest on 90.7 Pulse Radio. He died in January 2020 at 50, from a stroke and brain hemorrhage. For what I think, drum & bass is the best possible future for nightclubs, so I hope that someone will accept Mark’s musical legacy.
Mark Kamins – an American record producer, and nightclub DJ of the rock musical genre. He started his career as a DJ in Japan, where he remained for 1 year. Then he worked at the following NYC nightclubs of the 80s: Area, Danceteria, MK’s, the Studio 54 after the reopening, Tracks NYC (his first workplace in New York), Underground. He was the legendary discoverer, and career launcher of Veronica Louise Ciccone, who was a frequenter of the Danceteria. Veronica L. Ciccone has become a pop superstar under the nickname of “Madonna”, and is still well-known all over the world. As it seems, Mark didn’t mix records on the beat, although he had a huge charisma. Well, Mark’s lifetime is the evidence that you can be a great professional DJ, even if you don’t possess the most common DJ techniques. However, I have bad news for those who think that everyone can be a successful DJ, Mark was not “everyone”, on the contrary, he was talented enough to be an uncommon professional.
Mark Kamins – an American record producer, and nightclub DJ of the rock musical genre. He started his career as a DJ in Japan, where he remained for 1 year. Then he worked at the following NYC nightclubs of the 80s: Area, Danceteria, MK’s, the Studio 54 after the reopening, Tracks NYC (his first workplace in New York), Underground. He was the legendary discoverer, and career launcher of Veronica Louise Ciccone, who was a frequenter of the Danceteria. Veronica L. Ciccone has become a pop superstar under the nickname of “Madonna”, and is still well-known all over the world. As it seems, Mark didn’t mix records on the beat, although he had a huge charisma. Well, Mark’s lifetime is the evidence that you can be a great professional DJ, even if you don’t possess the most common DJ techniques. However, I have bad news for those who think that everyone can be a successful DJ, Mark was not “everyone”, on the contrary, he was talented enough to be an uncommon professional.
Mark Parenteau – a “terrific radio personality” born in Worchester MA. He started the disc-jockey career at 15, on WORC-AM. He also worked on WLLH, WKNR, WABX, and WCOZ, before obtaining the dream job in Boston, on WBCN, where he was very successful for about 20 years. He interviewed John Lennon, Frank Zappa, and Little Richard, and became a close friend to the band Aerosmith. The brilliant career started to fade, after an arrest for having sex with a 14-years-old boy. After that, he was a force on minor airwaves, WRKO, WTKK, and Q104. In the year 2016, Mark was suffering from a number of conditions, was hospitalized, and died, aged 66. I would like to ask to some LGBT activists an opinion about certain sexual attitudes. Well, I am not a fan of intermittent kinds of morality.
Martha Jean “the Queen” Steinberg – a radio personality from Memphis Tennessee, perhaps the earliest female radio DJ in the USA, given that her career started in 1954. She remained on air for 46 years, until the day of the death, during which she was the Queen of gospel and rhythm & blues. She also was an important part of the 1967 Detroit rebellion. She died on January 29, 2000, aged 69, I haven’t found the cause of the death. I hope that one fine day in the USA a radio DJ will be remembered for its professionalism and impact, not for racial reasons, and that the social category of “African-Americans” will not be included in all kinds of biographies. That’s what I can call “integration”.
Mary Dee – an African American and a radio pioneer, whose career lasted from 1948 to 1964, the year of the death from colon cancer, at the age of 51. Her typical format is still interesting, and consists of mixing community affairs with music. That’s the same format of the blog you’re reading.
Marzio Mungaioni, aka DJ Marzio Dance – an historic nightclub DJ from Florence, who worked at the “Xenon” nightclub of Florence in the 80s, a venue famous all over Italy. I remember Marzio for two uncommon qualities: first, he was an excellent vocalist; second, in the house music era, he chose to be a techno DJ, although maintaining a lot of eclecticism. Marzio has left an indelible lesson to professional DJs, the main mission of the DJ is giving emotions to audiences. Who will be able to follow it?
Marzio Mungaioni, aka DJ Marzio Dance – an historic nightclub DJ from Florence, who worked at the “Xenon” nightclub of Florence in the 80s, a venue famous all over Italy. I remember Marzio for two uncommon qualities: first, he was an excellent vocalist; second, in the house music era, he chose to be a techno DJ, although maintaining a lot of eclecticism. Marzio has left an indelible lesson to professional DJs, the main mission of the DJ is giving emotions to audiences. Who will be able to follow it?
Masimba Kadzirange (aliases: Sim, DJ S.O.S., Sol Breddah) – a beloved DJ of nightclubs from Toronto Canada, Scarborough area, who had a deep knowledge of soul, funky, hip-hop, and R&B. Masimba died in his sleep in the year 2015, at 44. I’ve found two interesting comments posted by Masimba’s friends, according to which he was a master of selecting music and friends, and a philosopher in constant flux. Perhaps, it is really important having good friends, and maintaining the right distance between life occurrences and your internal equilibrium.
Massimino Riva – how many tapes/performances of club DJs I’ve heard in my life? A figure near to a dozen thousand, or more, and dozens superstar DJs are included. Well, I think he was the best, a true guiding light to me. He was also a musician, a guitarist in Vasco Rossi’s band. For my evaluations, his nationality has been irrelevant.
Massimo “Max” Armani – an appreciated DJ of nightclubs born in Pordenone, who was the son of a fashion operator, and a fashion operator himself, for some years before becoming a professional DJ. He is remembered for a notable professionalism, for the ability of creating a fashionable atmosphere, and for the nice behavior of an always-smiling, and collaborative man. DJ Max performed at many important clubs in Veneto and Friuli, such as the “Venus”, the “Kursaal”, and the “Mr. Charlie”. DJ Max died from a pathology, I can’t tell anything more precise, in the year 2016, when he was 55. Well, DJ Max’s second name is the same of a famous fashion stylist, but there’s no family relationship, only some kind of affinity in personal abilities.
Massimo Troisi – an appreciated DJ of nightclubs, from Sanremo Italy, the town of the Sanremo Music Festival, an annual event that’s well-known all over the world. Massimo died at 34 in 2010, from a lethal cancer. Strangely, he was namesake of a famous comic actor, who died in 1994. So, living in a famous place, and having a famous name can help you in the show business, but can’t prolong your lifetime.
Massimo Troisi – an appreciated DJ of nightclubs, from Sanremo Italy, the town of the Sanremo Music Festival, an annual event that’s well-known all over the world. Massimo died at 34 in 2010, from a lethal cancer. Strangely, he was namesake of a famous comic actor, who died in 1994. So, living in a famous place, and having a famous name can help you in the show business, but can’t prolong your lifetime.
Maurizio Donà – a popular DJ and producer of Latin American music (salsa), from Spinea, a village near Venice Italy. He worked for local radios, and at nightclubs of Veneto region. Around the year 2016, he started as a record producer, of 4-5 singles that became local hits. Unluckily, he fell ill from cancer, and, in spite of a surgical intervention, the SARS-COV2 pandemic worsened his medical conditions, until the death of August 2022. Some newspapers say that he was 56, others say 63. One of the articles of the “63 group” is very well-written, and appears as accurately documented. A curiosity, Maurizio’s father, who is 92, is alive and well.
Mauro Apori aka DJ Ape – a sound technician and DJ from Bellinzona, Switzerland. He died in 2018 at 43, after having announced his death on social networks, with some posts, among which a peculiar appreciation to “the love that never surrenders”. DJ Ape was also a musician, a singer, and an organizer of musical events. Before the death, he was working at the “Woodstock Music Pub”. He had joyful character traits, so many of those who knew him can’t explain the cited web posts, filled with bitterness. Evidently, Mauro’s family is respecting his last wills, and preserving his reputation.
Mauro Lorenzetti aka DJ Mauro MBS – a popular DJ of nightclubs from Borgomanero Italy, a small village near Novara, nicknamed “the king of house music at the Lake Maggiore”. He also owned a record shop. He was especially successful in the 80’s and the 90’s. Sadly, Mauro died in 2018, aged 58, from a “severe pathology”. Among the large category of DJs, you can distinguish some persons filled with passion for the physical supports of music, who are especially record collectors. That’s the reason why vinyl records are reborn in the industry, and, perhaps, turntables will never die.
Mauro Apori aka DJ Ape – a sound technician and DJ from Bellinzona, Switzerland. He died in 2018 at 43, after having announced his death on social networks, with some posts, among which a peculiar appreciation to “the love that never surrenders”. DJ Ape was also a musician, a singer, and an organizer of musical events. Before the death, he was working at the “Woodstock Music Pub”. He had joyful character traits, so many of those who knew him can’t explain the cited web posts, filled with bitterness. Evidently, Mauro’s family is respecting his last wills, and preserving his reputation.
Mauro Lorenzetti aka DJ Mauro MBS – a popular DJ of nightclubs from Borgomanero Italy, a small village near Novara, nicknamed “the king of house music at the Lake Maggiore”. He also owned a record shop. He was especially successful in the 80’s and the 90’s. Sadly, Mauro died in 2018, aged 58, from a “severe pathology”. Among the large category of DJs, you can distinguish some persons filled with passion for the physical supports of music, who are especially record collectors. That’s the reason why vinyl records are reborn in the industry, and, perhaps, turntables will never die.
Max “Blue Max” Millward – a popular Northern Soul DJ, who demonstrated how a fast sad song can be melodic, and sublime. Without him, and the others such as him, the New Romantic age of pop would be unconceivable.
MC Tubby T, born Anthony Emanuel Robinson – a vocal animator and a singer from North West London, devote to reggae and dancehall genres. He has left behind a notable discography. Anthony died on May 22, 2008, at the age of 33, from the second stroke in four years.
Mehdi Favéris-Essadi, aka DJ Mehdi – a French DJ who became a producer of hip hop and house music. He collaborated with Daft Punk, Cassius, Asian Dub Foundation, and Chromeo. He was a pioneer of the so called “cross-genre”, also known as “multi-genre”, a sort of fusion of various genres of dance music. He used to fuse hip hop to EDM. In my opinion, there’s no appreciable future for mere EDM, while the path enlightened by DJ Mehdi seems to have better perspectives. His death was unbelievably unlucky, due to the fortuitous collapse of the skylight of his Paris home.
Melbourne James aka Jah Stitch – a reggae personality born in Jamaica, who, starting from the early 70s, was a sound system toaster, and a member of the Spangler’s Gang in Kingston, an organization affiliated with the People’s National Party. A sound system toaster is a peculiar kind of DJ, responsible for the organization of a street dance, or a roaming dance, including the setting of the sound system, the admission of dancers, the sales of foods and beverages, the animation with vocals at microphone, and the selection and spinning of records. When Jah Stich began to be a sound system toaster, the Jamaican Posses, such as the Spangler’s Gang, were not yet involved in drugs and arms trafficking. Jah Stich was a Rastafarian, and a true reggae artist, who in 1976 released the album “No Dread Can’t Dead”, after having survived from a hospitalization of 4 months. In 1977, he toured in Britain, obtaining a notable success. He has been honored with the appellative of “Original Raggamuffin”. He died in 2019, at 69, after a brief illness. For what I think, in the web era, the profession of nightclub DJ should be similar to Jamaica’s sound system toasters, rather than to common disco DJs.
Mehdi Favéris-Essadi, aka DJ Mehdi – a French DJ who became a producer of hip hop and house music. He collaborated with Daft Punk, Cassius, Asian Dub Foundation, and Chromeo. He was a pioneer of the so called “cross-genre”, also known as “multi-genre”, a sort of fusion of various genres of dance music. He used to fuse hip hop to EDM. In my opinion, there’s no appreciable future for mere EDM, while the path enlightened by DJ Mehdi seems to have better perspectives. His death was unbelievably unlucky, due to the fortuitous collapse of the skylight of his Paris home.
Melbourne James aka Jah Stitch – a reggae personality born in Jamaica, who, starting from the early 70s, was a sound system toaster, and a member of the Spangler’s Gang in Kingston, an organization affiliated with the People’s National Party. A sound system toaster is a peculiar kind of DJ, responsible for the organization of a street dance, or a roaming dance, including the setting of the sound system, the admission of dancers, the sales of foods and beverages, the animation with vocals at microphone, and the selection and spinning of records. When Jah Stich began to be a sound system toaster, the Jamaican Posses, such as the Spangler’s Gang, were not yet involved in drugs and arms trafficking. Jah Stich was a Rastafarian, and a true reggae artist, who in 1976 released the album “No Dread Can’t Dead”, after having survived from a hospitalization of 4 months. In 1977, he toured in Britain, obtaining a notable success. He has been honored with the appellative of “Original Raggamuffin”. He died in 2019, at 69, after a brief illness. For what I think, in the web era, the profession of nightclub DJ should be similar to Jamaica’s sound system toasters, rather than to common disco DJs.
Michael Beatty, known as DJ Batman – for about 42 years, a popular DJ and entertainer in Ocean City, Maryland US. He was a Baltimore native, a graduate, and a veteran of the US Air Force, who had served in Taiwan during the Vietnam War. The nickname was given to him in 1981, at Bayside Pub in Ocean City. DJ Batman was active at pubs, on Radio Ocean 98.1 WOCM with “The Hair of the Dog Show”, and also hosted a TV program named “This Week at the Beach”. He was locally called “The Night Time Mayor of Ocean City”. Unluckily, DJ Batman died in May 2022, from cancer, at the age of 74.
Michael Stanley – a rock musician from Cleveland, who was also a radio DJ for many years, and a television personality. He was a singer, guitar player, and songwriter in some bands, among which the Michael Stanley Band, the Silk, and the Ghost Poets. He hosted a regular show on radio 98.5 WNCX, until the last period of the lifetime. Michael died in March 2021, after 7 months of battle against lung cancer. He was 72.
Michele Giuliano, known as “DJ Miki del Ciak” – the unsung father of the Italian disco movement, from Bologna. He was a music journalist, one of the few to know the English language, and had some relatives in the USA. So, he visited the discos of NYC around the year 1973, and was enthusiast, so that he became a follower of Vince Aletti of the Rolling Stone magazine, and a member of David Mancuso’s Record Pool. Back to Italy, where he was a collaborator of the famous nightclub named “Ciak” in Bologna, he started to mix all the records on the beat around the year 1974, exactly like the best pioneer DJs of Manhattan. That way, DJ Miki became the earliest disco DJ of the Ciak, of Italy, and of the entire Europe. In the year 1978, he was awarded as the best European DJ, and, in effect, he was the only one at the same level of disco superstars, such as Tom Savarese, whose style was close to the one of Miki. In my opinion, the best DJs of the Italian Afro-funky movement can be considered as humble disciples of DJ Miki. Why is DJ Miki not credited? I’ve read that he had a bad behavior, and was not good at personal relationships. However, alas, DJ Miki died in August 2022, from cancer, at the age of 74. I’m truly sad, and I promise a future tribute page in the blog (update, Jan 24, 2024 - the tribute page was posted in the year 2023).
Michele Guardabassi, aka DJ Michi P. – a popular DJ of nightclubs and events from Passignano sul Trasimeno, a small village in Umbria region, Italy. He was also a store worker, and an executive of the local soccer team. DJ Michi P. died suddenly on December 31, 2023, at the age of 56, during the new year’s celebrations. You should not confound Michele Guardabassi with Giancarlo Guardabassi, who is still alive and, in the 70’s, was a prominent radio DJ on the national public broadcasting service.
Mike “Captain Mike” Wilkinson – an important personality of the American disco music scene, in quality of the founder of the Disconet sub-company (a part of the New York-based Sugarscoop company), and also a disco DJ and a remixer of the Disconet Team. The Disconet Team included Tom Savarese and Bobby DJ Guttadaro, perhaps the two best disco DJs of history, plus Kevin Guilmet, and Captain Mike himself. Starting from October 1977, the Disconet offered fantastic remix services to professional DJs, including extended versions of disco classics, mega-mixes, and medleys with 15-20 minutes per each side of club hits, mixed together on the beat, known as “Disconet Top Tunes Medleys 1977-1987”. In the blog, I’ve utilized “Easy Going – fear medley (Disconet remix)”, a substantial improvement to a production of a disco band of Rome. Captain Mike died in 1986, at 41. Some years ago I heard a superstar DJ from NYC, while he was performing “live” in my small hometown, thanks to a mad local entrepreneur, who, obviously, went later to commercial failure. I was astonished to see that the DJ was faking, while a tape was responsible for the music. Now I know that similar praxes are largely spread among superstar DJs. Well, I think that the Disconet mentality has been partly responsible for what’s happening. Problems? For instance, a tape can’t adapt itself to the behaviors of dancers.
Mike Huckaby and Roberto Tavolazzi – for what I’ve found, the twelfth and the thirteenth DJs who died from COVID-19. Mike was an important DJ and producer of the Detroit techno scene, since the 90’s. He died from a stroke, related to COVID-19, on the 24th of April 2020, aged 54. Roberto was a part-time DJ of nightclubs from Reggio Emilia Italy, active since the 80’s. He died from COVID-19 on the 9th of December 2020, aged 62. A special thought goes to Mike, who had the brilliant idea of melting together techno and jazz.
Mike Smith – a DJ of BBC Radio 1, number 1 even for British humor. He was a fan of Prince, not the musician, but Prince Edward.
Mike Smith – a DJ of BBC Radio 1, number 1 even for British humor. He was a fan of Prince, not the musician, but Prince Edward.
Miki Monte DJ aka Michelangelo Montefusco – a talented DJ from San Lucido, a small village at seaside near Cosenza Italy, aged 17 in the year 2011, who was found dead in the garage of his home, where he was organizing a party for his 18th birthday. At first, authorities thought about a case of suicide, but neither the fiancée nor the parents believed that. Today, there’s a criminal investigation going on, based on a hypothesis of encouraging suicide with harassment (stalking).
Mira Calix, born Chantal Francesca Passamonte – a composer of electronic music, who also became an audio and visual artist, born in South Africa. She started the career in South Africa, as a DJ of the EDM scene. Successively, in the year 1991, she moved to London and gradually changed the activity into music producer, going from EDM to classical music. Mira was many times awarded as a classical music composer. She died in the UK on March 25, 2022, at the age 52. I haven’t found the cause of the death. The many things, that I’ve read about her biography, make me think about a creative personality, not particularly stable.
Mojo Nixon, born Neill Kirby McMillan Jr. – a Californian musician, actor, and radio DJ, who defined himself “the King of Bullshit”. He was a big fan of Elvis Presley, and wrote in Elvis’ memory the tribute song “Elvis is Everywhere” (1987). The radio career started in late 90’s, and developed in San Diego on KGB-FM, in Cincinnati on WEBN-FM, and on Sirius XM. Mojo Nixon was a libertarian anarchist, and a supporter of Barack Obama. He died on February 7, 2024, at the age of 66, from a “cardiac event”. I remember him for the unconditional sustain to free file sharing of recordings in MP3 format.
Moreno Guizzo – a pioneer of Italian private radios, as one of the earliest DJs of Radio Milano International, the very first Italian local station. His sources of inspiration were Bob Stewart, Benny Brown, and Radio Luxembourg. He was a founding member of Radio Deejay, and of Radio Capital, even now two of the most important radio networks of Italy. Moreno died in 2017, at 58, I haven’t found the cause of the death. Generally, the golden age of local radios is over in Italy, because radio stations have neither been able of growing, nor of maintaining their role, nor of changing with the times. In my opinion, the dramatic situation has been the consequence of a failed attempt of political correctness, whose will to exploit local information drowned in a sea of debts.
Nadine Gelineau – a polyhedral music personality from Ottawa Canada, who was a radio DJ, a marketer of hip hop (the Wu-Tang Clan), a manager of bands (Echo & the Bunnymen), an executive in music industry, and a stubborn promoter of Indie music. She worked in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles. Personally, she was a vegetarian, and a lover of cats. Sadly, she died in April 2016, in Los Angeles, at 56, 5 months after the diagnosis of lung cancer. Pop music world is missing a lot a great woman, the name is Nadine.
Nicholas Alvarado aka DJ Pumpkin – a Los Angeles club DJ, a producer, and a remixer, even for Florence + The Machine. He died in 2016 in a car accident. I remember him for two reasons: he was a SoundCloud pioneer, and thus also a web DJ; his music was uncommon EDM, because he often utilized vocal samples, not being satisfied by mere “dope beat”. That’s a precious legacy.
Nadine Gelineau – a polyhedral music personality from Ottawa Canada, who was a radio DJ, a marketer of hip hop (the Wu-Tang Clan), a manager of bands (Echo & the Bunnymen), an executive in music industry, and a stubborn promoter of Indie music. She worked in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles. Personally, she was a vegetarian, and a lover of cats. Sadly, she died in April 2016, in Los Angeles, at 56, 5 months after the diagnosis of lung cancer. Pop music world is missing a lot a great woman, the name is Nadine.
Nicholas Alvarado aka DJ Pumpkin – a Los Angeles club DJ, a producer, and a remixer, even for Florence + The Machine. He died in 2016 in a car accident. I remember him for two reasons: he was a SoundCloud pioneer, and thus also a web DJ; his music was uncommon EDM, because he often utilized vocal samples, not being satisfied by mere “dope beat”. That’s a precious legacy.
Nujabes, born Jun “Seba” Yamada – a successful record producer and DJ from Japan, close friend to DJ Deckstream (see above), the both members of the independent record label “Hideout Productions”. Nujabes was a master of hip hop, and downtempo music. He died in 2010, from a traffic accident, aged 36. Strangely, the same Fate met DJ Deckstream, only 5 years after, at the age of 38.
Osvaldo Dell’Anna – a DJ of nightclubs from Surbo, a small village near the Italian town of Lecce, and an entrepreneur in tourism industry. The names of the nightclubs: Blubay, Ciak, Metropolis, Premiere, Riobò, Samsara Beach. Osvaldo died in 2019, some press articles say “at 39”, others say “at 41”, after a 5 months-battle against cancer. He has left behind a wife and two twins. Osvaldo’s motto is interesting, and I have translated it into English, as follows: “the true human strength resides in the capacity of smiling, even when everything seems against you”. My comment is not about Osvaldo, may he rest in peace, but about 5 important daily newspapers of Italy. I’d like to say to professional journalists that the personality of a DJ is present in his favorite music. So, do a favor to your readers, when you talk about a deceased DJ, please also talk about his music.
Pam Warren aka Pam the Funkstress – a talented female DJ from Oakland California, belonging to the hip-hop duo “The Coup”. She was inspired by Salt & Pepa, and by their DJ, DJ Spinderella. Pam began to be a club DJ in 1988, and gained a solid reputation in the hip-hop scene. She contributed to 4 albums of the Coup duo, including the one titled “party music”, released in 2001, shortly before the Twin Towers attack. Unluckily, the cover of the album of 2001 depicted the Coup duo, including Pam, while blowing up the Twin Towers! She served as a DJ for Prince, in the last two months of his life, under the nickname of “Purple Pam”. Reportedly, Pam also led a successful catering business in Northern California; despite, I’ve read that when she died her family needed financial help, to cover the health expenses. She died in 2017 at 51, of organ failure. Pam Warren is remembered as the “Turntable Queen”. Well, thinking about Pam’s biography, I’ve concluded that bad luck exists, and it’s not mere imagination.
Osvaldo Dell’Anna – a DJ of nightclubs from Surbo, a small village near the Italian town of Lecce, and an entrepreneur in tourism industry. The names of the nightclubs: Blubay, Ciak, Metropolis, Premiere, Riobò, Samsara Beach. Osvaldo died in 2019, some press articles say “at 39”, others say “at 41”, after a 5 months-battle against cancer. He has left behind a wife and two twins. Osvaldo’s motto is interesting, and I have translated it into English, as follows: “the true human strength resides in the capacity of smiling, even when everything seems against you”. My comment is not about Osvaldo, may he rest in peace, but about 5 important daily newspapers of Italy. I’d like to say to professional journalists that the personality of a DJ is present in his favorite music. So, do a favor to your readers, when you talk about a deceased DJ, please also talk about his music.
Pam Warren aka Pam the Funkstress – a talented female DJ from Oakland California, belonging to the hip-hop duo “The Coup”. She was inspired by Salt & Pepa, and by their DJ, DJ Spinderella. Pam began to be a club DJ in 1988, and gained a solid reputation in the hip-hop scene. She contributed to 4 albums of the Coup duo, including the one titled “party music”, released in 2001, shortly before the Twin Towers attack. Unluckily, the cover of the album of 2001 depicted the Coup duo, including Pam, while blowing up the Twin Towers! She served as a DJ for Prince, in the last two months of his life, under the nickname of “Purple Pam”. Reportedly, Pam also led a successful catering business in Northern California; despite, I’ve read that when she died her family needed financial help, to cover the health expenses. She died in 2017 at 51, of organ failure. Pam Warren is remembered as the “Turntable Queen”. Well, thinking about Pam’s biography, I’ve concluded that bad luck exists, and it’s not mere imagination.
Paola Majorana – a radio DJ of local stations in Treviso Italy, with a peculiar, fascinating voice. Sadly, a pair of years ago, she fell ill from a severe degenerative disease, and gradually lost any contact with reality. In November 2020, she had a cardio-circulatory crisis, and died, aged 57. She physically resembled to a pair of female friends of mine, the both are radio DJs of local stations. Perhaps, radio DJs have something mysterious in common.
Paolo DJ, born Paolo Carraggi – a loving father, very attached to his family, from a village near Agrigento, Sicily, who was a salesman of furniture by day, and a DJ of nightclubs at night. Paolo died at home in February 2023, from sudden cardiac death. He was 38, and has left behind a wife, and two children.
Pappo DJ alias Paolo Salvagno – a popular DJ of nightclubs from the Italian region of Friuli Venezia-Giulia, known for being funny, and specialized in techno classics of the 90’s. Sadly, Pappo DJ died in 2016, from a heart attack, at the age of 43. He was a star of carnival in Trieste. Two of the nightclubs where he performed: SixtySeven, and Streaming. I find interesting the name “Streaming” for a nightclub, given that music streaming on the web is almost killing traditional ways of listening music.
Pascal F.E.O.S., born Pascalis Dardoufas – a superstar DJ of German techno music, born in Germany from a Greek family. F.E.O.S. is an acronym meaning “from the essence of sound”. DJ Pascal started the career in nightclubs in the mid 80’s, playing Italo-disco and similar genres. In the 90’s, he became the father of the so called “Sound of Frankfurt”, and a pioneer of minimal EDM. Sadly, he passed away on May 9, 2020, aged 52, due to stomach cancer.
Pat Barry – a versatile radio speaker from Cincinnati, who worked at radio stations all over Ohio, and went from a high-energy DJ to a weather anchorman. A brief list of the radio stations from where he was heard: WKRQ-FM, WLWT, WIZE, WSAI-AM, WOKV, Q-102, WLW-AM, AMOJ-FM, WDJO-AM, WNKR-FM, FOX19, WXIX, 700WLW, and so on. Sadly, Pat died on February 20, 2021, from COVID-19, at the age of 69. He is the eigthteenth DJ present in the page, whose life was stolen away by the pandemic.
Paul Ray – a singer and saxophonist from Austin Texas, playing with various local bands at clubs, who in 1978 was stuck in a west Texas sandstorm, and developed throat problems. So he was forced to change career, and around 1979 became a radio DJ, on KUTX 98.9. His kind of music was soul, blues, and R’N’B. During his lifetime, in 1968 one of his bands opened for Muddy Waters at the Family Circle club, and Paul received compliments for the way he was singing; later, in the DJ years, he became a soul music scholar. For many years, Paul was the conductor of a popular Saturday show on KUTX, from 7 to 11 PM until 2009, when his hours were cut, with many subsequent protests of the audience. In 2016, Paul accidentally fell at home, and had a femur broken. After a pair of weeks of hospitalization, he died at 73. So, it’s not always true that the DJs know the music only by ear.
Paul “Trouble” Anderson – a legendary musical personality born in London. By one side, he was one of the two founders of the first legal dance music radio station in the UK, the name is Kiss FM. He had a long-term show on radio Kiss FM, from 9 to 11 PM, which became a “pre-clubbing ritual” for entire generations of Londoners. To the other side, he was a music producer and a DJ at clubs, from 1979 to 2018. In 2011, he was diagnosed with cancer. Seven years after, in 2018, he died at 59. Now the disco scene has one uncommon “Trouble” less, and many common troubles more.
Paul Walden, aka DJ Guru Josh – a British DJ, of the post-acid house scene, and, sadly, also an addict to ecstasy. He was a rave legend, and the author of the global hit “infinity”. He belonged to a group of popular British DJs who animated the nights on the Ibiza Island, also including Danny Rampling and Paul Oakenfold. However, you can consider Guru Josh as a disciple of the legendary DJ Mike Pickering, the resident of the Hacienda nightclub in Manchester. For what I think, Guru Josh was secretly religious, ok, with a personal kind of religiosity.
Pauline “Polly” Robbins – an American DJ, for various local radio stations. She followed a grammar school, graduated, and went to the New England School Of Communications. She was able to speak several different languages. DJ Polly was a strong supporter of cancer research. Sadly, she died in 2008, at 31, after a two-year battle against breast cancer. I want to express my admiration for the excellence of her curriculum vitae.
Paul Ray – a singer and saxophonist from Austin Texas, playing with various local bands at clubs, who in 1978 was stuck in a west Texas sandstorm, and developed throat problems. So he was forced to change career, and around 1979 became a radio DJ, on KUTX 98.9. His kind of music was soul, blues, and R’N’B. During his lifetime, in 1968 one of his bands opened for Muddy Waters at the Family Circle club, and Paul received compliments for the way he was singing; later, in the DJ years, he became a soul music scholar. For many years, Paul was the conductor of a popular Saturday show on KUTX, from 7 to 11 PM until 2009, when his hours were cut, with many subsequent protests of the audience. In 2016, Paul accidentally fell at home, and had a femur broken. After a pair of weeks of hospitalization, he died at 73. So, it’s not always true that the DJs know the music only by ear.
Paul “Trouble” Anderson – a legendary musical personality born in London. By one side, he was one of the two founders of the first legal dance music radio station in the UK, the name is Kiss FM. He had a long-term show on radio Kiss FM, from 9 to 11 PM, which became a “pre-clubbing ritual” for entire generations of Londoners. To the other side, he was a music producer and a DJ at clubs, from 1979 to 2018. In 2011, he was diagnosed with cancer. Seven years after, in 2018, he died at 59. Now the disco scene has one uncommon “Trouble” less, and many common troubles more.
Paul Walden, aka DJ Guru Josh – a British DJ, of the post-acid house scene, and, sadly, also an addict to ecstasy. He was a rave legend, and the author of the global hit “infinity”. He belonged to a group of popular British DJs who animated the nights on the Ibiza Island, also including Danny Rampling and Paul Oakenfold. However, you can consider Guru Josh as a disciple of the legendary DJ Mike Pickering, the resident of the Hacienda nightclub in Manchester. For what I think, Guru Josh was secretly religious, ok, with a personal kind of religiosity.
Pauline “Polly” Robbins – an American DJ, for various local radio stations. She followed a grammar school, graduated, and went to the New England School Of Communications. She was able to speak several different languages. DJ Polly was a strong supporter of cancer research. Sadly, she died in 2008, at 31, after a two-year battle against breast cancer. I want to express my admiration for the excellence of her curriculum vitae.
Peter Deibler, alias Sean Kelly, alias Kane – a popular radio DJ born in Danbury Connecticut, who started the careen at the Syracuse University. For some years, he was “Sean Kelly” on WDAQ, the radio station of his hometown. Successively, he hosted the “Kane Show” on Hot 99.5 Baltimore, with a notable success, lasted 14 years. They say that DJ Kane changed the sound of local radio. Alas, he fell ill from acute respiratory syndrome, and, after a long battle, died on March 6, 2021, aged 43. The District of Columbia has lost the voice of the wee hours.
Phil Valentine – a part-time radio DJ from North Carolina, known for being a conservative, a no-vax, and a man who convinced some radio listeners to not be vaccinated against COVID-19. He was assuming at home cures that have been proven as effective in preventing the worst consequences of COVID-19, such as vitamin D and Ivermectin. So, very strangely, he died from COVID-19 on August 21, 2021, after one month of hospitalization. He is the twenty-eighth DJ dead from the pathology. Well, according to political correctness, Mr. Phil Valentine was a personification of Satan, because of his thoughts about vaccines. However, as verified by some researchers, sometimes the virus has been boosted up to 1000 times. Moreover, a pair of dozens of microbiological studies have revealed the peculiarities of the SARS-COV-2, particularly the unnatural activity of glycoproteins. Notoriously, one of the features of glycoproteins is to block the action of other pharmacological substances, even therapies. Listen to me, you should always remember that not only democracy is at high risk, but also your own life. Be extremely prudent, because, for those who might have killed more than 5 million persons (data of the beginning of November 2021), your life is not more important than the life of a fly.
Philippe “Zdar” Cerboneschi – a notorious French DJ, and a member of the popular house music duo named “Cassius”. Experts say that he was a great creative, a fundamental personality of modern dance music. He died in June 2019 at 52, as a consequence of a fall through the window, from a top floor of a Parisian building. There is still an investigation about the tragic event. For those who can appreciate the superstitions of psychedelic culture, I humbly observe that 52 is 5 and 2, or 7. As you know, “seven and seven is”.
Philippe “Zdar” Cerboneschi – a notorious French DJ, and a member of the popular house music duo named “Cassius”. Experts say that he was a great creative, a fundamental personality of modern dance music. He died in June 2019 at 52, as a consequence of a fall through the window, from a top floor of a Parisian building. There is still an investigation about the tragic event. For those who can appreciate the superstitions of psychedelic culture, I humbly observe that 52 is 5 and 2, or 7. As you know, “seven and seven is”.
Phillip Krokidis aka DJ Phil K – a pioneer of electronic music from Melbourne, who started to be a professional DJ in the year 1985, at the age of 16. A few years later, he become a record producer. Phil’s kind of music belongs to breakbeat, ambient, deep house, and techno. Curiously, a music pioneer such as Phil was asked to develop a prototype for an innovative mixer, the model DVJ-XI by Pioneer. He was good at working alone, and in teams. Unluckily, Phil was diagnosed of bladder cancer in July 2018, and died in November 2020, at the age of 51.
Pierpaolo Berti aka DJ Teo – a nightclub DJ from Pesaro Italy, who was married to dance music. He lived alone in an apartment near Pesaro, and no one but him had the access key. In the year 2015, for some days he didn’t answer to the phone, so some friends called the police. The police went to DJ Teo’s home, together with local firemen, in order to crash the entrance door. Strangely, the door was already opened, but, sadly, DJ Teo’s corpse was on the floor. Nevertheless, local authorities established that the death was depending on “natural causes”. Evidently, even the most common of DJs is an uncommon person, whose lifetime is wrapped up in mystery.
Pierre Myers, nicknamed Pete the Mad Daddy – a disconcerting radio disc-jockey in the Cleveland area, starting from the year 1958. The Mad Daddy studied to be an actor, and had an IQ of 172. He was a prankster, ghoulishly brilliant, and an ambitious man of spectacle, who failed to achieve the big success he had wanted. The instability of his personality is also testified by the fact that, during the 40-years-long lifetime, he had three wives. In effect, the Mad Daddy committed suicide in the year 1968. Some of his ideas are fantastic, and highly suitable to the blog. So, I’m thinking about how to exploit those ideas.
Pietro Sanna – a young man from Sardinia, who was living in London for a job and learn English, and was working as a part-time DJ. He was stabbed 36 times with a knife by a former fiancée, Miss Hasna Begum, on June 23, 2017, and died at the age of 23. The notable fact is that, in December 2017, Miss Begum has been sentenced to lifetime prison, after a criminal process of less than 4 months. It’s an incredible result, unconceivable for the Italian judiciary system. Even the criminal investigation was excellent, because Miss Begum was camouflaged, wore black leather gloves, and entered the apartment of Pietro by climbing out of her kitchen window.
Raniero Cecchini – a beloved Italian radio DJ, one of the founding members of Radio Veronica in Pesaro, for what I’ve found, the second DJ (April 29, 2020) dead from COVID-19 all over the world. Raniero had been an excellent basketball player, in the Italian top league (“Serie A”). As a radio personality, he made great pop and rock artists come to Pesaro, such as Carlos Santana and Elton John. Sadly, Raniero died on the 21st of March 2020, at the age of 66, after 16 terrible days spent in the Hospital of Pesaro. Everyone who has known Raniero is mourning him a lot.
Raniero Cecchini – a beloved Italian radio DJ, one of the founding members of Radio Veronica in Pesaro, for what I’ve found, the second DJ (April 29, 2020) dead from COVID-19 all over the world. Raniero had been an excellent basketball player, in the Italian top league (“Serie A”). As a radio personality, he made great pop and rock artists come to Pesaro, such as Carlos Santana and Elton John. Sadly, Raniero died on the 21st of March 2020, at the age of 66, after 16 terrible days spent in the Hospital of Pesaro. Everyone who has known Raniero is mourning him a lot.
Ray Cordeiro, popular as “Uncle Ray” – a legendary radio DJ, on air at Radio Hong Kong (today RTHK) from 1949 to 2021. He was born in China, and the ancestors of his family were from Portugal. Ray was a friendly voice, and a promoter of light music, many times awarded and honored. For instance, in the year 1987, he was awarded by Queen Elisabeth II in London. Ray set a Guinness World Record, as the most durable DJ. Unfortunately, he died on January 13, 2023, aged 98. The cause of the death has not been revealed, and I think that the fact is grotesque.
Reggie Ossé, aka DJ Combat Jack – an American radio DJ, of the hip hop genre. He was also an important historian and interviewer. In my country, professional radio DJs are rarely specialized in a specific musical genre, and no one can obtain similar levels of knowledge and of experience. Apparently, Italian radio managers can’t understand that passionate deepening of topics is not an obstacle to businesses of the kind.
Ricci DJ aka Riccardo Testoni – a nightclub DJ, and a record producer from Emilia Romagna, Italy. In the 80s, he had been a rock DJ, of the new wave and punk genres. In the 90s, he begun to be a house music DJ, and to make records, as a member of a pair of house music bands, particularly the Datura and the Ramirez. A couple of DJ Ricci’s releases: “orgasmico” and “carico, carico, carico”. Riccardo died in 2000, at 37, from a heart attack, while he was coming home, after a performance at the Matis Club in Bologna. I’ve appreciated his intellectual honesty, and some of his simple ideas.
Reggie Ossé, aka DJ Combat Jack – an American radio DJ, of the hip hop genre. He was also an important historian and interviewer. In my country, professional radio DJs are rarely specialized in a specific musical genre, and no one can obtain similar levels of knowledge and of experience. Apparently, Italian radio managers can’t understand that passionate deepening of topics is not an obstacle to businesses of the kind.
Ricci DJ aka Riccardo Testoni – a nightclub DJ, and a record producer from Emilia Romagna, Italy. In the 80s, he had been a rock DJ, of the new wave and punk genres. In the 90s, he begun to be a house music DJ, and to make records, as a member of a pair of house music bands, particularly the Datura and the Ramirez. A couple of DJ Ricci’s releases: “orgasmico” and “carico, carico, carico”. Riccardo died in 2000, at 37, from a heart attack, while he was coming home, after a performance at the Matis Club in Bologna. I’ve appreciated his intellectual honesty, and some of his simple ideas.
Richard Ewing “Dick” Pleasants – a radio DJ from New England US, inserted in the Hall of Fame of folk DJs. When young, he was a gifted athlete. He started to love radios when he was only 10. The radio career began in the 70’s, and was very long and successful. Dick Pleasant was a lover of the mood of coffeehouses, the true source of his musical inspiration. Unluckily, he died in November 2022, aged 75, after more than 10 years of daily battle against Parkinson’s disease.
Richard Orlando “Dick” Biondi – a radio DJ from Endicott, New York, who has written fundamental pages of the history of rock ’n’ roll. For instance, he entered the Radio Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Dick’s career lasted for more than 67 years, during which he was fired from 25 radio stations, without any definitive ending of the radio activity. He was one of the original screamers, loud, fast talking, and a little bit crazy. His nickname was the “Wild I-Tralian”. They say that Dick Biondi was the most successful radio DJ all over the USA, in the crucial years 1961 and 1962. His name is particularly bound to Chicago’s Top 40 radio. Dick Biondi died peacefully at home on June 26, 2023, at the age of 90.
Richie Kaczor – the most modern of historic disco DJs. He started the carrier at the “One Sane Man”, also known as the Alamo, a nightclub in New Jersey. In 1973 he went to NYC, and became a fantastic DJ at the Club Hollywood, under the influence of his friend DJ Tony Gioe. In 1976 he went to work as a DJ in Philadelphia, for about 6 months. In April 1977, he was hired as the main resident DJ of the legendary Studio 54. A brief list of his praxes as the resident DJ of the Studio 54: many record labels sent records to Richie for free, but he only played a small percentage of those pre-releases; to have a record played at the Studio, record labels had to pay Richie; his most popular horse of battle was “Gloria Gaynor – I will survive”, a maxi single that Richie didn’t appreciate, although he had been paid by the Polydor/A&R; his handling of DJ techniques was absolutely unique, and he also was as stoic as the philosopher Zeno; Richie’s usage of the pitch controls of the three Thorens turntables was massive; he mixed records with very different structures, generally, by exploiting percussion breaks; sometimes, he played almost the entire length of medleys, and of extra-long versions; the opening theme of his performances was “CJ & Co – devil’s gun”. In summary, Richie was comparable to the best superstar DJs of today. I beg your pardon, if I had listened to Richie’s performances at the Studio, for sure I would fall asleep in a few minutes. Perhaps, this can partly explain the famed “man and the moon with the cocaine spoon”.
Robert Earl Davis Jr. aka DJ Screw – a legendary hip hop DJ in Houston TX. The University of Houston owns the “DJ Screw Papers”, an important part of DJ Screw’s legacy. I remember him for his uncommon kind of death, I can define as “syrup and down”. In the 60s, or perhaps even before, in the Houston area, blues musicians had a favorite way of drugging, nicknamed “lean”, that consisted of mixing codeine (Robitussin) with alcohol. Sadly, similarly to blues musicians, in the 90s DJ Screw began to use that way the “sizzurp”, a cough syrup based on opiates, perfectly adequate to his favorite slow rhythms. The praxis was later described by the Three Six Mafia, in the song “sippin’ on some sizzurp”. Eight months after the release of the song, DJ Screw was found dead from a heart attack, in the bathroom of his studio, at 29 years of age.
Richie Kaczor – the most modern of historic disco DJs. He started the carrier at the “One Sane Man”, also known as the Alamo, a nightclub in New Jersey. In 1973 he went to NYC, and became a fantastic DJ at the Club Hollywood, under the influence of his friend DJ Tony Gioe. In 1976 he went to work as a DJ in Philadelphia, for about 6 months. In April 1977, he was hired as the main resident DJ of the legendary Studio 54. A brief list of his praxes as the resident DJ of the Studio 54: many record labels sent records to Richie for free, but he only played a small percentage of those pre-releases; to have a record played at the Studio, record labels had to pay Richie; his most popular horse of battle was “Gloria Gaynor – I will survive”, a maxi single that Richie didn’t appreciate, although he had been paid by the Polydor/A&R; his handling of DJ techniques was absolutely unique, and he also was as stoic as the philosopher Zeno; Richie’s usage of the pitch controls of the three Thorens turntables was massive; he mixed records with very different structures, generally, by exploiting percussion breaks; sometimes, he played almost the entire length of medleys, and of extra-long versions; the opening theme of his performances was “CJ & Co – devil’s gun”. In summary, Richie was comparable to the best superstar DJs of today. I beg your pardon, if I had listened to Richie’s performances at the Studio, for sure I would fall asleep in a few minutes. Perhaps, this can partly explain the famed “man and the moon with the cocaine spoon”.
Robert Earl Davis Jr. aka DJ Screw – a legendary hip hop DJ in Houston TX. The University of Houston owns the “DJ Screw Papers”, an important part of DJ Screw’s legacy. I remember him for his uncommon kind of death, I can define as “syrup and down”. In the 60s, or perhaps even before, in the Houston area, blues musicians had a favorite way of drugging, nicknamed “lean”, that consisted of mixing codeine (Robitussin) with alcohol. Sadly, similarly to blues musicians, in the 90s DJ Screw began to use that way the “sizzurp”, a cough syrup based on opiates, perfectly adequate to his favorite slow rhythms. The praxis was later described by the Three Six Mafia, in the song “sippin’ on some sizzurp”. Eight months after the release of the song, DJ Screw was found dead from a heart attack, in the bathroom of his studio, at 29 years of age.
Robert L. Jackson, well-known as DJ Bobby Jay – a radio DJ since the 60’s, chiefly bound to Hampton Roads metropolitan area, Virginia US, but also on air at Super 16 WWRL radio station in New York. DJ Bobby Jay was popular for proposing the best of “oldies but goodies”, in the field of soul music. He died in February 2021, after a radio career of about 60 years, from a massive heart attack.
Robert “Red” Robinson – a Canadian rock ’n’ roll radio DJ, on air in Vancouver for 63 years. He was many times awarded, and deserved the access to the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame in the year 1994. Red Robinson was a pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll music, having started to propose it in the 50’s. During his long and successful career, he interviewed Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and other top artists of the rock ‘n’ roll scene. Red Robinson died in April 2023, at the age of 86, after “a short illness”. I haven’t found more about the cause of the death.
Robert Weston Smith aka Wolfman Jack – a radio DJ born in NYC, who performed in various states of the USA, and even in Mexico. Around 1962, he was influenced by DJ Alan “Moon Dog” Freed, at the station KCIJ/1050 Shreveport, Louisiana. He became a big fan of R&B, and choose the new nickname “Wolfman Jack”, inspired by Howlin’ Wolf. Wolfman Jack enriched his style while working at the station XERF-AM, in Mexico, around the year 1963. Eight months later, he knew Don Kelley, who was his manager for 20 years, contributing in transforming Wolfman Jack into a mainstream entertainer, not only of radios, but also in films, recordings, and television. The popularity of Wolfman Jack came from his deep and rough voice, and a peculiar kind of humor, developed by observing bluesmen’ behaviors.
Robert Weston Smith aka Wolfman Jack – a radio DJ born in NYC, who performed in various states of the USA, and even in Mexico. Around 1962, he was influenced by DJ Alan “Moon Dog” Freed, at the station KCIJ/1050 Shreveport, Louisiana. He became a big fan of R&B, and choose the new nickname “Wolfman Jack”, inspired by Howlin’ Wolf. Wolfman Jack enriched his style while working at the station XERF-AM, in Mexico, around the year 1963. Eight months later, he knew Don Kelley, who was his manager for 20 years, contributing in transforming Wolfman Jack into a mainstream entertainer, not only of radios, but also in films, recordings, and television. The popularity of Wolfman Jack came from his deep and rough voice, and a peculiar kind of humor, developed by observing bluesmen’ behaviors.
Roberto “Robertino” Arnaldi – a historic disc-jockey of Radio Montecarlo from 1967 to 1988, born in Genoa. Successively, he became a TV presenter, a journalist, and a singer. After Radio Montecarlo, DJ Robertino collaborated with Radio Fiesole, Radio Blu, Radio Liguria Uno, Radio 103, and Radio National 102. He died in Nice on February 28, 2012, at the age of 71. As he asked with his last wills, he was cremated, and the ashes were spread at sea.
Roberto Corcina aka DJ Roberto Milani, or, as a house music producer, aka Robert Miles – an international DJ, and producer of techno-house music, who was especially successful for the song “children”. Many consider Roberto as Italian, but he was born in Switzerland. His lifetime story represents a confirmation that not everything bound to Switzerland is bad for Italy. For what I think, an exception to the rule.
Roberto “Roby” Canevese – for 18 years and until the death, the resident DJ of the Mascara discotheque in Mantua, my hometown. He was the son of a professional musician, and for many years he had been working in his native region, the Veneto, as a DJ of nightclubs. His kind of music was disco and house, of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. His style was that of traditional disco DJs, and CD players were the preferred musical sources. Roberto was not a smoker, and had a healthy lifestyle. Despite, he died in 2015 at 48, from a heart attack, while he was driving back home, after a night of work. In my opinion, the DJs need to remember that music doesn’t make them invulnerable, even though I know this is harder than it seems.
Roberto Corcina aka DJ Roberto Milani, or, as a house music producer, aka Robert Miles – an international DJ, and producer of techno-house music, who was especially successful for the song “children”. Many consider Roberto as Italian, but he was born in Switzerland. His lifetime story represents a confirmation that not everything bound to Switzerland is bad for Italy. For what I think, an exception to the rule.
Roberto “Roby” Canevese – for 18 years and until the death, the resident DJ of the Mascara discotheque in Mantua, my hometown. He was the son of a professional musician, and for many years he had been working in his native region, the Veneto, as a DJ of nightclubs. His kind of music was disco and house, of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. His style was that of traditional disco DJs, and CD players were the preferred musical sources. Roberto was not a smoker, and had a healthy lifestyle. Despite, he died in 2015 at 48, from a heart attack, while he was driving back home, after a night of work. In my opinion, the DJs need to remember that music doesn’t make them invulnerable, even though I know this is harder than it seems.
Roberto Zolezzi aka DJ Roby J aka the Totem – a 6-foot 8” tall DJ of nightclubs from La Spezia Italy, in activity since the 90’s, of the musical genre named “progressive house”. He was also known as the “gentle giant”, for his physical and professional stature. Sadly, Roberto died in 2014, at 50, after a long-lasting illness. You see, one bad day even Totems fall down.
Robi Bonardi – a pioneer and a veteran of private radios from Parma Italy, with a 50-year career, who also became a nightclub DJ, and a collaborator of the national broadcasting company (the RAI), in quality of member of the artistic direction of the festival of Sanremo. Robi died on March 19, 2021, from COVID-19, a few days before his 70th birthday. According to my findings, Robi is the twentieth DJ dead because of the pandemic (update June 16, 2021).
Robin Seymour – not only a simple radio disc-jockey, but also an important part of the history of rock ’n’ roll and of rhythm ‘n’ blues, the man who launched the career of Frank Zappa, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, the Four Tops, and the Supremes. He was a white man, but for him music has never had anything of racial. Starting from the age of 18, he became a legendary DJ on WKMH (now WDTW), and on CKLW. He was awarded as “the disc-jockey of the year” in 1953. Later he was a host of two television series, invented by himself. In his long activity, Robin was the man of top charts. He died in April 2020, aged 94. Perhaps, you might have noticed that I haven’t yet said that Robin was born in Detroit. Well, his birthplace was irrelevant, virtually he was a citizen of the world, without leaving the homeland and before the birth of the internet.
Rodger Farrell “Uncle Jamm” Clayton – a DJ and producer from L.A., who pioneered hip hop on the West Coast, as a founder of the mobile disco crew named “Uncle Jamm’s Army”, established in 1978, and renamed in late 1979, after the release of a LP by the Funkadelic. Uncle Jamm had also a radio show, first on KDAY and later on KGFJ. He, together with a pair of companions, was the first DJ in Los Angeles to a have a regular mix show on the radio, starting from late 1983. Uncle Jamm died in 2010, from a heart attack.
Roger Eagle – the originator of Northern Soul movement, a DJ and a record collector, chiefly in Manchester UK, and in Liverpool UK. Some say in 1964, others say in 1965, he was asked by Ivor Abadi to become the DJ of the Twisted Wheel nightclub, later the most legendary of all, at that time the location was 26 Brazennose Street. Roger was a friend and a disciple of Guy Stevens, the very first professional nightclub DJ of history. Personally, Roger liked to announce records on the microphone, such as the DJs of pirate radio stations. He didn’t like fast rhythms and people on speed. Despite, the Abadi brothers didn’t have microphones at the Twisted Wheel, where the frequenters were all on speed, and lovers of fast rhythms. So, Roger has never been fond of having started a new style of music. His taste was the reason why the Northern Soul is not exclusively made of fast soul music, and comprehends a minor part of jazz, blues, ska, and psychedelic rock.
Roger Eagle – the originator of Northern Soul movement, a DJ and a record collector, chiefly in Manchester UK, and in Liverpool UK. Some say in 1964, others say in 1965, he was asked by Ivor Abadi to become the DJ of the Twisted Wheel nightclub, later the most legendary of all, at that time the location was 26 Brazennose Street. Roger was a friend and a disciple of Guy Stevens, the very first professional nightclub DJ of history. Personally, Roger liked to announce records on the microphone, such as the DJs of pirate radio stations. He didn’t like fast rhythms and people on speed. Despite, the Abadi brothers didn’t have microphones at the Twisted Wheel, where the frequenters were all on speed, and lovers of fast rhythms. So, Roger has never been fond of having started a new style of music. His taste was the reason why the Northern Soul is not exclusively made of fast soul music, and comprehends a minor part of jazz, blues, ska, and psychedelic rock.
Ron Hardy – an American nightclub DJ, filled with passion and creativity. According to my information, he is the only DJ you can truly call “the father of house music”, where “house music” is to be intended as a new musical genre.
Ron Sararana aka DJ Efechto – a hip hop DJ from Long Beach CA, working for the Christian hip hop artist Propaganda, and the Propaganda’s record label named “The Humble Beast”. In effect, Ron was a humble person, and had a tattoo saying “kill ‘em with kindness”. Despite of humility, a perfectionist, who was working hardly and travelling around the world. He died in Spain, because of a heart attack. I remember him for an uncommon peculiarity, he was good as a photographer of food, although the death has not let him professionally exploit the ability.
Ron Sararana aka DJ Efechto – a hip hop DJ from Long Beach CA, working for the Christian hip hop artist Propaganda, and the Propaganda’s record label named “The Humble Beast”. In effect, Ron was a humble person, and had a tattoo saying “kill ‘em with kindness”. Despite of humility, a perfectionist, who was working hardly and travelling around the world. He died in Spain, because of a heart attack. I remember him for an uncommon peculiarity, he was good as a photographer of food, although the death has not let him professionally exploit the ability.
Ronnie Hanson – I beg your pardon, even if I read dozens sites, I was not able to find a complete, or acceptable, biography of Ronnie. He was a British man living in Milan, who was asked to entertain in English language the audience of Radio Deejay, an important private radio belonging to the editorial group “L’Espresso”, today controlled by the Exor N.V. Amsterdam, a multinational group, multi-sector. In the crucial year 1982, Ronnie was the very first speaker of the radio station, who paved the way to some popular professionals, among whom Gerry Scotti, the most successful anchorman in Italy. I can only add that Ronnie died in October 2020, aged 79. Sadly, the history of Radio Deejay is destined to resemble more and more to the economic trend of the country. With other words, Italy doesn’t belong any longer to the Italians.
Rossano Gardella aka DJ Ross – an Italian DJ of nightclubs, born and working in Liguria region. DJ Ross died in 2017, aged 46, in his native region and inside his car, that he had stopped in a parking area on the A12 Highway, perhaps, because of a heart failure. The interesting thing is that he was also a professional electrician. Well, if you want to be a DJ, you also need some notions about electric and electronic devices, most of all for your safety, and for the safety of your audience.
Roy Thode – a historic disco DJ from Long Island, who started mixing records with 8-track tape recorders, the same as Tom Moulton, and thanks to his friend and mentor DJ Bob Lombardi, who introduced Roy at the Corral nightclub, the very first workplace. Successively, Roy adapted himself to the new technique of mixing records at the turntables, and became a wizard of the mixer. In the 70's, Roy performed at the best NYC nightclubs; a brief list, without any chronological order, as follows: 12 West, Barefoot Boy , Flamingo, Ice Palace in Cherry Grove, Ice Palace on West 57th Street, Les Mouches, Paradise Garage, Red Parrot, Saint, and Studio 54 (in the year 1979, the top period of the club). In late 70's, he moved to Florida, to be the resident DJ of the nightclub Limelight, where he used to mix 8-track tapes and vinyl records, similarly to what has been successively done by DJ Ron Hardy, the father of house music. Sadly, Roy’s personal life story is mysterious, and even the cause of the death is unknown. Personally, I never let the difficulty of mixing two records on the beat be an obstacle to my selection, and so I can hardly understand the usage of 8-track tape recorders, except for certain pre-releases, such as Ron Hardy’s unofficial remixes.
Roy Thode – a historic disco DJ from Long Island, who started mixing records with 8-track tape recorders, the same as Tom Moulton, and thanks to his friend and mentor DJ Bob Lombardi, who introduced Roy at the Corral nightclub, the very first workplace. Successively, Roy adapted himself to the new technique of mixing records at the turntables, and became a wizard of the mixer. In the 70's, Roy performed at the best NYC nightclubs; a brief list, without any chronological order, as follows: 12 West, Barefoot Boy , Flamingo, Ice Palace in Cherry Grove, Ice Palace on West 57th Street, Les Mouches, Paradise Garage, Red Parrot, Saint, and Studio 54 (in the year 1979, the top period of the club). In late 70's, he moved to Florida, to be the resident DJ of the nightclub Limelight, where he used to mix 8-track tapes and vinyl records, similarly to what has been successively done by DJ Ron Hardy, the father of house music. Sadly, Roy’s personal life story is mysterious, and even the cause of the death is unknown. Personally, I never let the difficulty of mixing two records on the beat be an obstacle to my selection, and so I can hardly understand the usage of 8-track tape recorders, except for certain pre-releases, such as Ron Hardy’s unofficial remixes.
Rudy Franceschi – an Italian DJ, belonging to the so called “Afro-music movement”, who in 1984 had the opportunity to become a true hero, because he saved many persons at the “Melamara” discotheque in Castiglione Delle Stiviere, from a lethal attack of the “Ludwig” killer duo.
Ruth Flowers aka DJ Mamy Rock – a British, brilliant woman who, at the age of 75, decided to start a DJ activity. She has been active as a DJ and a producer of house music for 8 years, from 2006 to 2014. She had learned the DJs’ techniques from a French DJ, and, perhaps, the reason of her success are the inborn musical attitudes, given that she came to life and grew up in a family of musicians. Sadly, despite of her fantastic enthusiasm, Mamy Rock died in 2014, aged 83. This time, I’m going to say a rather obvious thing, it’s never too late to be who you want to be.
Ryan Robinson aka DJ Force Ripe – a passionate Jamaican DJ, who died in a motorbike accident at 33. I remember him for his stylish grave, resembling to a DJ console, and because his dead body has been carried to the grave by a motorbike hearse. Perhaps, after a rebirth, he will be the quickest in restarting the DJ activity.
Ryan Robinson aka DJ Force Ripe – a passionate Jamaican DJ, who died in a motorbike accident at 33. I remember him for his stylish grave, resembling to a DJ console, and because his dead body has been carried to the grave by a motorbike hearse. Perhaps, after a rebirth, he will be the quickest in restarting the DJ activity.
Sal Palmieri – a native of a small village near Palermo, who migrated in New York together with his family, since he was 16. In the 60’s, he started a 50-year radio career, when hired by Lamberto Landi at WHOM radio station, as a journalist, a DJ, and an entertainer for the Italians living in NY. Sal was responsible for spreading all over New York Italian culture, Italian light music, and the most popular social events of Italy. He became the founder of ICN, a radio network. Sal retired from the activity of radio DJ in 2012, but his radio network was digitalized, and is still active, 24 hours a day and 7 days per week. The “voice of the Italians of New York” died in May 2023, from a heart attack, at the age of 82. Sincerely, my ideas about integration in a foreign country are different from those of Sal Palmieri.
Salvatore Cusato aka DJ Casco – an international DJ, born in Genoa Italy, who has been working for 35 years at about one hundred of European nightclubs, and a producer of Italo-disco for 22 years, under various nicknames, such as “Discoking”. Even if Salvatore was very popular, there’s a scarceness of information in the matter of his personal life. He died on January 30, 2011, sorry I haven’t found the cause of the death. I’ve greatly appreciated two things about DJ Casco. First, he has left a personal web site in English, not very rich but correct, perhaps the only one professional DJ from Italy to have done something like that. Second, DJ Casco had a certain knowledge about philosophy. In brief, DJ Casco can be a model to imitate, especially for younger Italian DJs.
Salvatore Cusato aka DJ Casco – an international DJ, born in Genoa Italy, who has been working for 35 years at about one hundred of European nightclubs, and a producer of Italo-disco for 22 years, under various nicknames, such as “Discoking”. Even if Salvatore was very popular, there’s a scarceness of information in the matter of his personal life. He died on January 30, 2011, sorry I haven’t found the cause of the death. I’ve greatly appreciated two things about DJ Casco. First, he has left a personal web site in English, not very rich but correct, perhaps the only one professional DJ from Italy to have done something like that. Second, DJ Casco had a certain knowledge about philosophy. In brief, DJ Casco can be a model to imitate, especially for younger Italian DJs.
Sam Cornelius Phillips – at first a radio DJ, successively one of the fathers of rock and roll, as a successful record producer, and the founder of the radio station WHER. Sam was from Florence, Lauderdale County. From 1942 to 1949, he was a radio engineer on WMSC, WLAY, and WREC. In 1950, he opened the Memphis Recording Service, and became a record producer. In 1951, he had his first hit, “rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats. In 1952, Sam started to be a full-time record producer. In 1954, he produced a young Tennessee truck driver, Mr. Elvis Presley, who released a cover version of “that’s alright (mama)” by Arthur Crudup. In 1955, he launched WHER. The name of Sam Phillips is bound to various popular record labels, such as the “Sun Records”. In August 2003, he died from respiratory failure, aged 80. Sam Phillips deserved the insertion of his name into the Hall of Fame of Rock ’N’ Roll.
Sario Ricci – a popular radio DJ and organizer of cultural events, born in Foggia and active in Viterbo, Italy. He was the program director of Radio Svolta, the inventor of the event named “Elettrofaul”, and a substantial part of the “Tuscia Comix”. Sario defined himself a “free thinker”, although he adhered to political correctness. He died on December 9, 2020, aged 58. Newspapers have reported uncertain news about the cause of the death. A newspaper has proposed a theory, according to which the cause of the death is COVID-19. However, Sario was a hemodialysis patient, since many years. More than that, Italian physicians have verified that hemodialysis can be very effective against COVID-19. For what I think, hemodialysis might have defeated the COVID-19, and killed Sario, as it normally happens after 5-10 years to the kind of patients.
Sauro Cosimetti – an international DJ of nightclubs born in Perugia Italy, who started the career in the year 1980. He gained a notable popularity in the year 1988, when he became the resident DJ of a maxi-discotheque in Perugia, named “Red Zone”. Sauro travelled Europe as a guest DJ, and went on working at the Red Zone from 1988 to 2010, when he retired, for being closer to his wife. He was always a lover of vinyl records. The favorite genre was the house music of Detroit. Sadly, Sauro died in May 2022, at the age of 55. The cause of the death has been defined “natural” by local press.
Sean Lalla, known as DJ Elsewhere Sonido – a radio and party DJ, and an important promoter of hip-hop, born in Trinidad and Tobago, and based in Canada. They say he was a humble music fan, a factotum in the industry, and an occasional DJ “cosplayer”. Sean Lalla was also a rescuer of rare groove. His dead body was found at an apartment in Trinidad and Tobago, on February 20, 2024. The corpse was in a state of advanced decomposition. Local authorities have asked an autopsy, nevertheless, according to press, the causes of death are uncertain. Sean Lalla was 49.
Sean Michael Daliet aka DJ Real – a beloved DJ from New Orleans, who died in 2013 at 44. Honestly, I haven’t known much about him, but I’ve appreciated his reputation as a free spirit, and a bringer of positive energy.
Sergio Munzibai – a historic DJ in NYC, during the disco era, born in Cuba. He performed at the legendary nightclubs “Flamingo”, and “Crisco Disco”. Together with DJ John Morales, he formed a famous professional duo of dance records editing, named “M & M”, notably active especially in the early 80s. Among the many excellent remixes, I have appreciated Sergio’s work on “Evelyn Thomas – heartless (1984)”. He died in 1992, similarly to many other pioneer disco DJs of the Big Apple, because of the consequences of HIV-AIDS. The world of today suffers from many lethal menaces, however I would like you to remember also HIV-AIDS.
Shaima Rezayee – a heroic young woman from Kabul, Afghanistan, who dared to become a TV presenter and DJ on Tolo TV. Her show, named “Hop”, promoted western-style music, and became largely popular among young Afghans. Of course, she was strongly criticized by Islamic clerics, until she was shot dead at home, on May 18, 2005. Shaima was only 24. I hope that things are slowly changing, at least in the field of civil rights of women.
Shana LiVigni born Margaret Reichl – a Californian radio DJ, who pioneered the female presence in top 40 and album-rock radio. Her parents were German, and she learned English by watching cartoons on TV. DJ Shana was an appreciated professional on a dozen of radio stations, well-known for joviality and humor. She died in 2015, aged 62, they say “in her sleep”.
Shane Seniuk aka DJ Meni-One – a polyhedral professional based in Glendale AZ, who owned a recording studio, the Kontempt Studios, and built himself a sound engineer, a producer, and a DJ, especially for private parties and commercial events. He belonged to hip hop music and culture, and had a peculiar philosophy, named “Cut Throat Logic”. I summarize Shane’s ethics: he offered charisma, philosophic sensibility, streetwise ability to survive and maintain respect for common people, warm personality, and attention to family gatherings. Sadly, Shane died in 2013, at 31. I haven’t found anything about the cause of the death. Thinking about Shane, I’ve made an observation: how hard it is to be a professional DJ nowadays!
Sharky Jama – an Australian-born DJ and model, son of Somali parents. Like more than other 3400 persons from Occidental countries, Sharky decided to join jihad, and was killed by gunfire in Syria, in April 2015, at the age of 25. The reports of the death have come from the Lowy Institute and not from the Embassy in Syria, because, according to Australian authorities, “fighting for ISIS represents a serious national security threat”. In effect, as it has been officially declared, 90 Australians have recently been fighters for ISIS, and 20 of them are dead.
Shea Baker aka Shea Maddox – a midday radio DJ on WBIK Classic Rock 92.1, from Lexington Kentucky, known for her wit and humor, and for being an etch-a-sketch master, with a wide range. Immediately before the death, she was on air again. She died in 2018, aged 44, from suicide. As you can see, suicide can be sudden, apparently unmotivated, and unforeseeable, even for close friends.
Simon Bolton – a popular radio DJ in Teesside England, on Zetland FM. Simon was a lover of music, any kind of music, with various health problems. Sadly, he died on December 24, 2021, after the hospitalization for COVID-19, at the age of 54. Simon has left behind the wife Joanna, and a daughter. He is the twenty-seventieth DJ cited in the page, who died from COVID-19.
Simone Scardigli aka DJ Skatizzi – a passionate DJ from Tuscany Italy, who worked in the sector of private parties, and owned a recording studio for young musicians, the “Labella”. Simone was the unique son of a textile entrepreneur. Despite of the nickname, he was not a fan of ska music, but of funky. Simone died in 2011, at 29, while he was sleeping in bed together with his fiancée. The conclusion of the autopsy was “suspect cerebral aneurysm”. Be warned, I’ve talked about the DJ, and not about the namesake politician from Tuscany, who’s popular for having left the Italian Democrat Party, in the year 2020. Well, Simone had the Saturday night fever, and, strangely, he died on a Saturday night, although not in a discotheque.
Simone Scardigli aka DJ Skatizzi – a passionate DJ from Tuscany Italy, who worked in the sector of private parties, and owned a recording studio for young musicians, the “Labella”. Simone was the unique son of a textile entrepreneur. Despite of the nickname, he was not a fan of ska music, but of funky. Simone died in 2011, at 29, while he was sleeping in bed together with his fiancée. The conclusion of the autopsy was “suspect cerebral aneurysm”. Be warned, I’ve talked about the DJ, and not about the namesake politician from Tuscany, who’s popular for having left the Italian Democrat Party, in the year 2020. Well, Simone had the Saturday night fever, and, strangely, he died on a Saturday night, although not in a discotheque.
Sir Terry Wogan – a legendary radio DJ born in Ireland, whose career was mostly in Britain, where he acquired the British citizenship in the year 2005. He was active on radios approximately from 1967 to 2009, especially on BBC Radio 2. Terry became also a TV presenter, of shows such as the Eurovision, and Children in Need. He was many times awarded. Sir Terry Wogan died in 2016, aged 77, from cancer.
Skinny Bobby Harper – a Canadian born radio and video DJ, known for having worked on 7 radio stations in Atlanta, and on Top 40 station WSAI in Cincinnati. He was a hockey fan, and gained the nickname of the “King of Bad Taste”. Bobby was hyper-excited, not only on air, and especially active against the Vietnam war, and president Richard Nixon. He inspired a fictional character of a sitcom, named Dr. Johnny Fever, and played by the actor Howard Hesseman. Dr. Johnny Fever was a disco-hating radio disc-jockey, with the same discussable behaviors of his model, the Canadian DJ. Skinny Bobby Harper died on July 22, 2003, from lung cancer, at the age of 64.
“Skipper Lee” Frazier born Lee Jay Frazier – a radio DJ at the stardom level from Houston TX, for 22 years on KCOH, who became a manager of local bands, a record producer and promoter. He founded the band named Archie Bell & the Drells, and produced their global hit “tighten up”. The kind of music of Skipper Lee was gospel, r & b, jazz, and, especially, soul music. He died in October 2016, at the age of 89.
Snoopy DJ, born Pietro Lazzari – a print technician for local press, who was also a DJ and animateur at parties, events, and nightclubs, especially in Sanremo and in Arma di Taggia, Liguria Italy. Pietro died in the end of November 2023, at the age of 64, after a long-lasting illness. He has left behind a wife and a daughter. You should not confound Snoopy DJ with the historical nightclub Snoopy, located in Modena.
Soane Filitonga – a legend of nightclubs born in the Kingdom of Tonga, who started his career in the year 1989 as a doorman at a well-known club in Auckland. In the 90’s, he gradually became an international DJ, a music producer, and a radio host. The successful activity of disco DJ lasted for about 25 years, and took place in New Zealand, in Australia, and in the UK. Sadly, DJ Soane died from a heart attack in the year 2014. He was aged 43.
Solange Raulston aka DJ Reverend Soul – a female DJ who died in 2009, when she was at 33 of age. She was riding her bike, when she was struck by another vehicle. So, the traffic is a big problem all over the world, and, sadly, legislators seem inadequate almost everywhere. For instance, the Italian “new” crime of vehicular homicide has notably increased the deaths of pedestrians, because the enormity of penalties obliges drivers to try to escape, without helping the victims.
Sonia Abreu – a historic professional of music in Saint Paul, Brazil, who, reportedly, started to be a “DJ” before the introduction of the word into the Brazilian language, in 1964, when she was 13. She was the very first female DJ on the radio in Brazil, nicknamed in a peculiar way, “Soniaplasta”, a personalization of “sonoplasta”, which means sound technician. In 1965, according to the sources I’ve found, Sonia was on stage for the first time, to play the music during a rich man’s party. She was active from 1964 to the year of her death, the 2019, as a DJ of radios and of clubs, and as a music producer. She declared to had taken a lot of LSD, this way changing her views about music. She also declared to be interested in esotericism, and to be the creator of a mobile radio station, the “Ondas Tropicais”, after the suggestions coming from a contact with alien individuals. She popularized all over Brazil the following artists: the Queen, the Black Sabbath, the Abba, Elton John, and David Bowie. She didn’t like revival music, for that in the 2000s she became a DJ of the deep house genre. Her lifetime story has become a book. She died in August 2019, at 68, from the complications of a degenerative disease. By reading about Sonia Abreu, I’ve finally understood who stole any melody from the EDM world, the aliens!
Solange Raulston aka DJ Reverend Soul – a female DJ who died in 2009, when she was at 33 of age. She was riding her bike, when she was struck by another vehicle. So, the traffic is a big problem all over the world, and, sadly, legislators seem inadequate almost everywhere. For instance, the Italian “new” crime of vehicular homicide has notably increased the deaths of pedestrians, because the enormity of penalties obliges drivers to try to escape, without helping the victims.
Sonia Abreu – a historic professional of music in Saint Paul, Brazil, who, reportedly, started to be a “DJ” before the introduction of the word into the Brazilian language, in 1964, when she was 13. She was the very first female DJ on the radio in Brazil, nicknamed in a peculiar way, “Soniaplasta”, a personalization of “sonoplasta”, which means sound technician. In 1965, according to the sources I’ve found, Sonia was on stage for the first time, to play the music during a rich man’s party. She was active from 1964 to the year of her death, the 2019, as a DJ of radios and of clubs, and as a music producer. She declared to had taken a lot of LSD, this way changing her views about music. She also declared to be interested in esotericism, and to be the creator of a mobile radio station, the “Ondas Tropicais”, after the suggestions coming from a contact with alien individuals. She popularized all over Brazil the following artists: the Queen, the Black Sabbath, the Abba, Elton John, and David Bowie. She didn’t like revival music, for that in the 2000s she became a DJ of the deep house genre. Her lifetime story has become a book. She died in August 2019, at 68, from the complications of a degenerative disease. By reading about Sonia Abreu, I’ve finally understood who stole any melody from the EDM world, the aliens!
Sophie Xeon – a transgender woman from Glasgow Scotland, who became a DJ, a producer, a musician, and a singer in the EDM scene. She was kissed by success since the year 2010, and became a molder of electronic music into avant-garde pop, by collaborating with superstars of pop, such as Madonna and Charli XCX. Sadly, she died in Athens in January 2021, aged 34, in an accident that I’ve found weird, and a little bit incredible. Reportedly, she slipped and fell from a balcony, that she had climbed in order to watch the full moon. Perhaps, creative people are weird, I don’t know, even if I think that a successful person can’t be too much weird. However, the Greek police does not agree with my thought, no suspect circumstance has been found, or investigated.
Spacin’ Scott Mason, born Scott Mason – a radio personality born in New York and grown up in California, where he became a radio DJ in 1974 on KKDJ (now KIIS-FM). Then he was on KIQQ (now KKLQ), KGBS/KTNQ, and KROQ FM. He gained a special popularity as a weekend DJ on KROQ, starting from the year 1979, with a program of punk rock and new wave. Around the year 2000, he became the West Coast Director of Engineering for CBS Radio, until the death, and for about 15 years. Although Scott had received two kidney transplants, he died in April 2015, aged 55. The donator for the first transplant was DJ Gene “Bean” Baxter, a morning DJ on KROQ. So, it was altruism to prolong the life of Spacin’ Scott Mason, and not the monist mentality of political correctness.
Spirit, born Duncan Busto – a DJ and prolific producer of the drum & bass genre, from Ipswich England. He started as a nightclub DJ in 1987, and in 1996 he arrived to the “Phantom Force” project of record production. For about 20 years, Spirit was the guiding light of many artists of the drum & bass scene. Unluckily, in 2018 he died from a heart attack. My impression is that Spirit might have been an ectoplasm even during his lifetime, because I haven’t found the age at the moment of the death, in a dozen sites.
Stefano Mastrolitti – a talented radio DJ and journalist from Bari Italy, who was a successful voice on Radionorba, and Radio R101, after having participated to a talent show for aspiring radio DJs. Apparently, he was enthusiast, funny, solar, always good-humored, and had no personal problem. Surprisingly, in the year 2017 he committed suicide, at 33, without any known reason. He has left behind a young child. What can I say? You will never know what’s on a person’s mind, appearances always fool you.
Stefano Moratto aka DJ Stefanino – an international DJ of nightclubs, who worked in northern Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, and Austria. He also owned a record shop, and an enterprise named “Starlight”, for the organization of parties and social events. Stefano died in June 2020, during a night of sleeping at home, aged 46. According to local press, Stefano’s music can be described as “underground rhythms”. Honestly, I can’t tell what an “underground rhythm” is. Sorry, my journalism is a little bit underground.
Stefano Tullii – a young man from Mosciano Italy, who was a DJ and entertainer of resorts. In 2018, he was working in the Dominican Republic, and, sadly, he was involved in a road accident, together with his fiancée. The fiancée resulted injured, while Stefano died, at 26. Anyone has said that he was a good person, solar and funny. No one knows where to meet the fate, it might be thousands miles from home.
Stella Cultrona, married Salamone, aka DJ Stella Magee – an American female radio DJ, known as “The Thrash Queen”. She was an influent rock DJ, of the punk and metal genres, who had the courage of treating political topics, such as American decay.
Stefano Tullii – a young man from Mosciano Italy, who was a DJ and entertainer of resorts. In 2018, he was working in the Dominican Republic, and, sadly, he was involved in a road accident, together with his fiancée. The fiancée resulted injured, while Stefano died, at 26. Anyone has said that he was a good person, solar and funny. No one knows where to meet the fate, it might be thousands miles from home.
Stella Cultrona, married Salamone, aka DJ Stella Magee – an American female radio DJ, known as “The Thrash Queen”. She was an influent rock DJ, of the punk and metal genres, who had the courage of treating political topics, such as American decay.
Stephanie Ornelas aka DJ Stef – a turntablist from San Francisco, Bay Area, especially successful in the 90’s. Successively a radio DJ, and the founder of the “Vinyl Exchange”, a newsletter for deejays and vinyl junkies. The Vinyl Exchange became a TV show, and led her to gain abilities as a graphic designer. She owned a large record collection, and was a leader of record-collecting culture. One bad day in October 2017, she died from a sudden heart attack, aged 55. Even if nowadays I am a fully virtual DJ, I recognize that DJ culture absolutely needs the real world, and physical objects similar to a vinyl record or a CD.
Stephen Laurel “tWitch” Boss – a popular TV personality from Alabama USA, who was a freestyle hip hop dancer, a choreographer, an actor, a co-executive producer of the Ellen DeGeneres Show, and a guest DJ of the cited show. He was married to the fellow dancer Allison Holker, with a son and a daughter. Hard to believe, a successful and rich man, with a wonderful family, can suffer from high-functioning depression, a kind of persistent depressive disorder. Unbelievably, or not, Stephen committed suicide on December 13, 2022, at the age of 40, that’s a harsh fact. Who can explain it? You should never forget that any man hasn’t the complete control of his own brain.
Steve D’Acquisto – a historic disco DJ of the Big Apple, born in 1943 and dead in 2001. In the year 1970, Steve was a taxi driver, and occasionally went to the Haven nightclub, where he heard DJ Francis Grasso performing at the mixer. Reportedly, Steve was so much enthusiast that he decided to change life, in order to become a DJ, in quality of helper of Francis Grasso. DJ Steve D’Acquisto was important in spreading the new technique of beatmix, by working at the following NYC nightclubs: Haven, Sanctuary, Tamberlaine, and Mancuso’s Loft. He became a founding member of David Mancuso’s Record Pool, and a record producer. According to rumors, while at the mixer he helped himself by following the praxis of American soldiers during the World War 2 (pep pills). What more can I say? Enthusiasm is a beautiful thing, even though ecstasy is appropriate only high in Heaven, and not in a haven.
Steve D’Acquisto – a historic disco DJ of the Big Apple, born in 1943 and dead in 2001. In the year 1970, Steve was a taxi driver, and occasionally went to the Haven nightclub, where he heard DJ Francis Grasso performing at the mixer. Reportedly, Steve was so much enthusiast that he decided to change life, in order to become a DJ, in quality of helper of Francis Grasso. DJ Steve D’Acquisto was important in spreading the new technique of beatmix, by working at the following NYC nightclubs: Haven, Sanctuary, Tamberlaine, and Mancuso’s Loft. He became a founding member of David Mancuso’s Record Pool, and a record producer. According to rumors, while at the mixer he helped himself by following the praxis of American soldiers during the World War 2 (pep pills). What more can I say? Enthusiasm is a beautiful thing, even though ecstasy is appropriate only high in Heaven, and not in a haven.
Steve Wright, born Stephen Richard Wright – a radio DJ, radio personality, TV presenter, and writer of books from London, UK. He gained a large popularity in 1979, from the microphones of Radio Luxembourg. In 1980, he started a breakfast show on BBC Radio 1. In 1981, he hosted the program “Steve Write in the Afternoon”, during which Steve invented the morning zoo format, based on humorous characters created by him. In the year 1999, the format was copied in Italy at Rete 105 Milan, by DJ Marco Mazzoli. Mazzoli’s radio show “Lo Zoo di 105” became the most successful all over Italy. After a 48-year-career, Steve Wright was still a radio DJ until the day he died, on February 12, 2024. He was 69, and the death was “unexpected, but not suspicious”. In the 2024 New Year Honors, Steve was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire. You should not confound the radio DJ with the namesake serial killer, British, whose complete name is Steven Gerald Wright.
Stuart Henry – a historic personality of pop music world, as a legendary radio DJ and TV presenter, at first on pirate Radio Scotland, then on BBC1 since the very beginning of 1967, then a regular presenter of “Top Of The Pops” from 1967 to 1969, and finally on Radio Luxembourg from 1974. In 1976 Stuart married a former model, and soon after he fell ill into multiple sclerosis. For some years, he didn’t stop working. However, in 1995 he died, aged 53. Thinking about DJ Stuart Henry, I’ve made some web searches, and I’ve known that, on a long term, one of the most worrying health problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic might be a notable increase of cases of multiple sclerosis.
Sue Delaney-Leighton – the high priestess of rock ’n’ roll on radio KBG-101.5 FM in San Diego US, since the year 1983. She was a graduate of San Diego State University. She had a sexy voice, but natural, and didn’t need to be explicit, or exert particular commitment. She found a husband in Los Angeles, and lived there until the death. Sue died in 2015, aged 56, from “a number of health issues”, I don’t know anything else. She has left behind a husband, and a son from a previous marriage.
Susanna Vianello – the daughter of two Italian singers, Mr. Edoardo Vianello and Mrs. Wilma Goich, who were very popular and successful in the 60’s. Understandingly, Susanna became a DJ of “Radio Italia Anni 60”. She was a beautiful and nice woman, with a son now aged 24. Susanna died in the year 2020, in the middle of the restrictive measures depending on the COVID-19 pandemic, while recovered in a hospital of Rome for a serious pathology. She was 49. Her parents are desperate, both for the loss of Susanna, and for not being allowed to visit her, during the last days of her life. Today, in May 2021, it’s scientifically proven that the majority of infections from SARS-COV are airborne (about the 60%), and not depending from social contacts. So, in the name of God, stop any restrictive measure, because late and partial shutdown measures are useless on a sanitary ground, or even worse (as it seems, in presence of similar measures there are many more deaths).
Sylvia Holmes – a beautiful woman from Texas, who was a successful radio DJ for many years, and a TV presenter. In the 50’s, she worked at WYFE radio station in New Orleans. In the year 1959, while she was a regular guest at WHHM radio in Memphis, Sylvia was elected Miss DJ USA, and became a longtime friend to Elvis Presley. Her collaboration with KTXS radio lasted for 40 years, during which she hosted a morning show named “Sylvia’s Chalet”. She retired on Feb 27, 2012, and died in February 2020 at home in Abilene, at the age of 88.
Terika Groom aka DJ Peachez – a young female DJ who spent her entire, short lifetime in Virginia US. She was hired in 2006 by the radio station “iPower WCDX 92.1” in Richmond, after the graduation at the James Mason University. Her career ended in 2009, because of the sudden death (according to some sources, the illness was meningitis). During those 3 years, she became popular, and inspirational to the young women interested to the DJs’ world. Her kind of music was pop, 80’s, dance hall, reggae, and hip hop. She also performed in nightclubs, and was an appreciated collaborator of celebrity musicians, such as Gucci Mane and Bobby Valentino. To find some information about her, I have been forced to surf more than a dozen web sites. Finally, a case in which Italian journalistic sites are comparable to the American ones.
Terika Groom aka DJ Peachez – a young female DJ who spent her entire, short lifetime in Virginia US. She was hired in 2006 by the radio station “iPower WCDX 92.1” in Richmond, after the graduation at the James Mason University. Her career ended in 2009, because of the sudden death (according to some sources, the illness was meningitis). During those 3 years, she became popular, and inspirational to the young women interested to the DJs’ world. Her kind of music was pop, 80’s, dance hall, reggae, and hip hop. She also performed in nightclubs, and was an appreciated collaborator of celebrity musicians, such as Gucci Mane and Bobby Valentino. To find some information about her, I have been forced to surf more than a dozen web sites. Finally, a case in which Italian journalistic sites are comparable to the American ones.
Theresa Velàsquez – an American DJ, label owner, and senior vice president at Live Nation, active in the Miami area. They say she broke barriers in the music industry as LGBTQ woman. Theresa is one of the 98 victims of the collapse of the Champlain Towers South, a beachfront condominium in the Miami suburb of Surfside. She died at 36, together with her parents, on June 24, 2021. Local press reported that the cited collapse of building was one of the worst in the history of the USA, provoked by structural engineering failure. Strangely, an Italian DJ, Mr. Marco Cuccurullo, had met the same destiny in Torre Annunziata, 4 years before (for more, see above).
Thomas Balsamini – a DJ and entrepreneur of nightclubs from Rimini Italy, whose name is bound to the discotheque “Slego”, where he was the art director and the resident DJ, and to the large discotheque “Velvet”, founded by himself in the year 1989. The club Velvet had a regular attendance of 2000 persons. Thomas’ favorite song was “redemption song” by Bob Marley. He suddenly died in 2013, aged 47. I’ve read many articles about the death, but I haven’t found the cause of it. Well, I don’t think that the cause of the death of a person can contain the seeds of its damnation.
Tim Bergling aka DJ Avicii – a superstar DJ, and an excellent house music producer. He was a sort of cursed poet, under an unbearable level of stress. Perhaps, you might renounce to a part of your success, if you don’t want to follow his example. Moderation should mean everything to anyone, in every field of human activity.
Tim Dunbar – an American passionate radio DJ, who worked in Milwaukee, Denver, and Minneapolis. His last job was at KSTP-FM (KS95), as an overnight DJ. He was a lover and a faithful believer of radio, and also a notable expert of cinema. His lesson is hard but precious, you should believe in what you’re doing, until the end, if you want to be someone. He died at 52, of a pulmonary embolism, after a sad personal story of throat cancer.
Tim Bergling aka DJ Avicii – a superstar DJ, and an excellent house music producer. He was a sort of cursed poet, under an unbearable level of stress. Perhaps, you might renounce to a part of your success, if you don’t want to follow his example. Moderation should mean everything to anyone, in every field of human activity.
Tim Dunbar – an American passionate radio DJ, who worked in Milwaukee, Denver, and Minneapolis. His last job was at KSTP-FM (KS95), as an overnight DJ. He was a lover and a faithful believer of radio, and also a notable expert of cinema. His lesson is hard but precious, you should believe in what you’re doing, until the end, if you want to be someone. He died at 52, of a pulmonary embolism, after a sad personal story of throat cancer.
Tim Gough – a popular and beloved radio DJ from Suffolk UK, where he started the career on Radio Orwell, in the year 1986. He always presented a breakfast show, at first on Radio Orwell, and then on Saxon Radio, on SGR-FM, on Smooth Radio, and, recently, on Gen X Radio Suffolk. According to many colleagues, he was a lovely man, warm, caring, and funny. Tim was a supporter of the Norwich City football club. Alas, he died on Monday October 24, 2022, while presenting a live broadcast, and in the middle of a song. Tim was aged 55, and the cause of the death is suspect heart attack.
Timothy Francis “Timbuck2” Jones – a talented and precocious DJ of the hip-hop scene in Chicago, who started the career in the 90’s, when he was a teenager. He was innovative, and had a rebellious spirit. Timbuck2 toured with Kanye West, and played at events for P. Diddy, Jay Z, Talib Kweli, Vic Mensa, Common, and Lil’ Kim. In the year 2004, he became a popular radio DJ on WGCI-FM 107.5, due to a successful afternoon program. Timbuck2 gained many honors. Sadly, he fell ill with kidney cancer, and died in December 2015, at the age of 34.
Tiziano Tarantola, nicknamed “Gipsy” – a radio DJ from Tortona Italy, on the local station of his birthplace, who became the director of programs in the 80’s. Tiziano died on July 16, 2021, aged 73, I haven’t found the cause of the death. A warning to my readers, you shouldn’t confound DJ Tiziano from Tortona with Claudio Tortona. Claudio Tortona is a musician, and an arranger of Italo-disco tracks. The both of personalities have been notably active on the web.
Todd Jessup aka TJ the DJ and Claudio Di Giuseppe – for what I’ve found, the seventeenth and the nineteenth DJs who died from COVID-19. Todd was an experienced DJ of WSYD Radio in Mount Airy North Carolina, specialized in mountain music. He died from a pneumonia, related to COVID-19, on the 3rd of February 2021, aged 58. Claudio was a part-time DJ of nightclubs from Montesilvano Italy, and also a photographer and an entertainer. He died from COVID-19 on the 15th of March 2021, aged 60.
Tom Dooley aka George Patrick Dooley, Jr. – a top radio DJ, an artist, and a record label owner from Chicago IL, born in the year 1947. Tom’s biography is very interesting, I invite you to search for it on the web. I propose a brief summary. Tom’s father ran a strip club. At 12 years of age he was a trouble maker: the FBI was looking for him to check fraud, and he had been arrested for stealing cars. When he was 14, he left the high school, and went to radio school. The first radio job was in Dyersburg, TN. At 17, he married his first wife, and had a daughter. During the late teens, he became a top DJ in Louisville, and the leader of a band named “Tom Dooley and the Lovelights”. In 1973, he was working in Philadelphia, where he met his second wife Melanie, the love of his life. He had two children from Melanie. In 1978 Tom became a Christian and started a path, that ended in 1996, when he was ordained a minister of the Gospel. Tom’s entire radio career, more than 35 years, was spent in top 40 radio. In March 2010, he fell ill from a brain cancer, and died in November, at 63 years of age. For what I’ve understood, Tom was a free and conscious person, whose conversion to Christianism has been absolutely personal and authentic, and has left a visible legacy. I can only say: “respect for Tom, may he rest in peace”.
Tom Lodge – an English radio DJ, whose career started in late 50’s, in Canada. However, he gained his fame in the 60’s, on Radio Caroline UK, one of the most influent pirate radios in Europe. During the lifetime, Tom worked on American radios, and became a writer. He passed away in March 2012, aged 75. The cause of the death was cancer.
Tom Shannon – a veteran in the US Army from Buffalo NY, and a graduated, who became a successful radio DJ in Buffalo, Detroit, and Denver. Tom was “the kindest person in the world”. He is well-known for having been the first radio DJ to play soft love songs late at night. Tom died on May 26, 2021, at the age of 82, from pancreatic cancer. He survived only about 1 month, after the day of the diagnosis.
Tommy “Jammer” Muzzillo – a former star of soccer, who became a radio DJ in the year 1989. He was born in Florida, and raised in Texas. He was an assistant program director, and an afternoon personality on KQXY-FM (Q94) Beaumont, TX. He also worked for three record labels. Tommy was a lover of any kind of music, old and new, of all genres. Sadly, in November 2020 he was hospitalized at the Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center Houston, with a pneumonia in both lungs, depending on COVID-19. He was intubated for more than 2 weeks. After a long battle with COVID-19, Tommy died on January 4, 2021, aged 50. He is the fourteenth DJ, dead from COVID-19, listed on this page.
Tommy Vance born Richard Anthony Crispian Francis Prew Hope-Weston – an English radio DJ, who started the career in 1964 on KOL Seattle, and who, after the popularity gained on pirate radios in the UK, became the legendary host of the “Friday Night Rock Show” on BBC Radio 1. So, since the year 1978, he was the top DJ of hard rock and heavy metal. He is remembered for the expulsion from school at 15, the reason was truancy. Tommy is still rumored as “the king of orgies”. Well, he was also a close friend to the famed Jimmy Savile. Tommy died in the year 2005 from a stroke, aged 64. In summary, Tommy Vance went from pirate radios to a personal life as a pirate of love.
Tony Fenton aka Anthony James Fagan – an Irish radio presenter and DJ, with a 29-years-career on two radio stations, awarded as “the music broadcaster of the year 2008”. He was a pop music DJ, inspired to Radio Luxembourg, Radio Caroline, and BBC Radio 1. In 2010 he was diagnosed with melanoma, and in 2011 developed prostate cancer. After a 4-year-battle against cancer, he died in 2015, aged 53. He was a big fan of soccer, and, perhaps, it might be the reason why he lived unmarried.
Tony Gargiulo – the true name was Antonino Gargiulo, a funny and dynamic entertainer from Sorrento Italy, who was a DJ, a vocalist, and an organizer of public parties. Tony’s successful career lasted for 25 years. He died in 2018 at 43, after a long battle against a “severe illness” (the local press has not reported anything more precise). Tony has left a wife and a young son. Sadly, his last night as a man alive is not worth to be remembered. I am asking to myself: what kind of behaviors would I maintain if I knew I’m going to die? Unluckily, I don’t really know the answer, so I refuse to keep sermons, except for a criticism to local press. What have you gained from publishing some scandal news about the last hours of life of Tony?
Tony Gargiulo – the true name was Antonino Gargiulo, a funny and dynamic entertainer from Sorrento Italy, who was a DJ, a vocalist, and an organizer of public parties. Tony’s successful career lasted for 25 years. He died in 2018 at 43, after a long battle against a “severe illness” (the local press has not reported anything more precise). Tony has left a wife and a young son. Sadly, his last night as a man alive is not worth to be remembered. I am asking to myself: what kind of behaviors would I maintain if I knew I’m going to die? Unluckily, I don’t really know the answer, so I refuse to keep sermons, except for a criticism to local press. What have you gained from publishing some scandal news about the last hours of life of Tony?
Tony Jebb – an influential DJ of the Northern Soul scene of the early 70’s, from Blackpool UK. He was a helper of DJ Keith Minshull, at the Golden Torch nightclub, and at the Blackpool Mecca nightclub, Highland Room. His horse of battle was Smokey Robinson & the Miracles – tears of a clown. There is not abundant information about him, perhaps, because the nightclubs of the scene were frequently put under surveillance by the police. People say that, as a Northern Soul DJ, Tony was “genuine and honest”. For sure, he died on June 24, 2020. Sorry, I can’t tell much more.
Tony McKenzie – under the same pseudonym, there were two personalities of the nightlife at clubs. Sadly, the both are now deceased. The first “Tony McKenzie” was Deshawn Morris, a Jamaican-born owner of a nightclub in Belgium, who produced a fantastic record Latin-disco in 1982, titled “Ah-Chica”, which I really love. Deshawn died in 2019, from a cancer. The second “Tony McKenzie” was Antonio Caprera, an excellent DJ from Terni Italy, who was active in the best Italian nightclubs, for decades. Antonio died in 2013 at 67, after a long battle with an illness (on the web, I didn’t find anything more). For what I’ve found, Antonio has left two daughters.
Tony McKenzie – under the same pseudonym, there were two personalities of the nightlife at clubs. Sadly, the both are now deceased. The first “Tony McKenzie” was Deshawn Morris, a Jamaican-born owner of a nightclub in Belgium, who produced a fantastic record Latin-disco in 1982, titled “Ah-Chica”, which I really love. Deshawn died in 2019, from a cancer. The second “Tony McKenzie” was Antonio Caprera, an excellent DJ from Terni Italy, who was active in the best Italian nightclubs, for decades. Antonio died in 2013 at 67, after a long battle with an illness (on the web, I didn’t find anything more). For what I’ve found, Antonio has left two daughters.
Tony Smith – an Afro-American, and historic disco DJ from NYC, a true legend of the nightlife in the Big Apple. He started the career at the nightclub Barefoot Boy, where he was the resident DJ, from 1974 to 1978. Successively, he was the resident DJ of the Xenon, from 1979 to 1982. He was a guest DJ at the following hot spots: Enchanted Gardens, Fun House, Ice Palace 57, Limelight, Magique, Palace Disco, and Trude Hellers. Tony was influenced by David Rodriguez, Richie Kaczor, and Bobby DJ Guttadaro. Tony was a virtuoso of the turntables, and even invented a technique, by utilizing the speed at 78 RPM for quick accelerations of the record, during the mix on the beat. He was the teacher of DJ Walter Gibbons, and the first to recognize the incredible abilities of Walter. He also fired Walter in late 70’s, after having asked him to be his helper at the Xenon, because Walter was already in the known status of mystical crisis, and started to do crazy things at the mixer, such as proposing samples of religious sermons. Tony declared to press that the DJs of the Paradise Garage didn’t play live at the club, and used to do a sort of playback, while a tape recorder was the source of the musical program. He also declared to press that he hated the disco music of the 80’s. Despite, I’ve heard a fantastic and recent mix show by Tony, which is almost exclusively made of disco of the 80’s. Tony died in May 2021, aged 66. Sorry, I haven’t found the cause of the death.
U-Roy, aka the Originator, born Ewart Beckford – a legendary personality of Jamaican reggae. He was at first a pioneer toaster, a sort of street DJ typical of Jamaica, and successively a successful musician, notably influential in the reggae scene. They also say he was one of the protagonists of the “reggae revolution”. U-Roy died in February 2021, aged 78, after a delicate surgical intervention, at the University Hospital in Kingston. Before the intervention, U-Roy’s state of health was already compromised, due to diabetes, hypertension, and problems with kidneys.
Valerie Olukemi A Olusanya, nicknamed “Kemi”, aka DJ Kemistry – a female DJ and record producer from the UK, influent in pioneering the “drum ‘n’ bass” musical genre. Before becoming a DJ, she was a make-up artist, and a radio DJ in a pair of pirate radio stations. Her biography contains a confirmation of the fundamental role of pirate radio stations in pop music, normally exerted by introducing innovations in the UK, that end to become global. The legendary Goldie has dedicated a song to her. As a curiosity, the circumstances of her death were incredibly unlucky, in effect, she was accidentally hit by motorway cat’s eye, that is a common safety device of roads!
Valerie Olukemi A Olusanya, nicknamed “Kemi”, aka DJ Kemistry – a female DJ and record producer from the UK, influent in pioneering the “drum ‘n’ bass” musical genre. Before becoming a DJ, she was a make-up artist, and a radio DJ in a pair of pirate radio stations. Her biography contains a confirmation of the fundamental role of pirate radio stations in pop music, normally exerted by introducing innovations in the UK, that end to become global. The legendary Goldie has dedicated a song to her. As a curiosity, the circumstances of her death were incredibly unlucky, in effect, she was accidentally hit by motorway cat’s eye, that is a common safety device of roads!
Vasco Lottini – a former DJ of nightclubs from Tuscany, whose name is bound to the discotheque “Ypsilon”. He was a volunteer of the Italian Red Cross. Vasco died in the year 2018, from “a bad illness”, that was “as fast as lightning”. He was aged 73, according to some, or 74, according to others.
Victoria “Vicki” Archer – an appreciated radio DJ, who co-hosted an afternoon show for 20 years on Radio BBC Shropshire. She was a single mother of three. As verified by the coroner, she suffered from depression, and attempted to commit suicide two times, before succeeding in taking away her own life in August 2018, at the age of 41. Victoria was a lovely person, and a valid presenter. As I have seen, in many places all over the world, there’s not enough of psychological sustain for adults.
Vincenzo Graci, known as “DJ Vizo” – a nightclub DJ from Gela Sicily, since the early 80’s, who in the 90’s became a successful producer of the Italian house music scene. For instance, he was a collaborator of the house music band named Ti.Pi.Cal., made of three other DJs and close friends to Vincenzo, who released fantastic tracks, 2 of which already utilized in the blog. Vincenzo died on June 2, 2006, aged 39, in a car crash. Strangely, during his last car trip he was not back from work, as you can often read about the DJs present in this page, but he was going to perform at a dance music festival. For more than 10 years, DJ Vizo has been remembered by some colleagues with tribute parties, all over Sicily.
Vincent “Vince” Pellegrino – one of the most prominent developers of disco music, from New York to the entire world. Vince was a radio DJ in the early 70’s, on Hot 97 New York (WQHT). Later, he became a fundamental manager of the industry, as the founder of Pellegrino Entertainment Group Inc., as an executive of the CBS label, and as a brilliant record producer. He also was the publisher of S.I.N., Street Information Network. The posts I’ve found say that Vince was a master for kindness, sincerity, integrity, and honesty, and truly passionate about music. Unluckily, he died on February 4, 2015, at the age of 68, from cancer.
Vincenzo Pota aka DJ Vincent – a devoted to music from Montecatini Italy, graduated from the conservatory, who “became a nightclub DJ in 1969” (many prestigious newspapers contain the kind of fake news), and successively a popular DJ of local radio stations, a VJ of local TV stations, the owner of an important record shop in Florence, a musical expert and journalist. He was a friend of some celebrities of the national broadcasting company. I can tell that he died in August 2020, aged 73 (or 74, according to some sources), and that I haven’t found the cause of the death in a dozen press articles. According to my information, no Italian nightclub had a DJ in the year 1969, because the earliest DJs of nightclubs have emerged around the year 1974, in Emilia-Romagna region. Before that, in nightclubs there were local bands, playing live music. Local bands have been dismissed from nightclubs in late 70’s, with few exceptions.
Virgil Howe – chiefly a musician and a session man from the UK, who collaborated with the Pet Shop Boys, the Killer Meters, and the Amorphous Androgynous. Virgil was also a DJ in London nightclubs, and had a regular radio show for Soho Radio. He was focused on disco-funk, a rare behavior for a young man. He died at 41, a case of sudden cardiac arrest, that is a major problem for public health, worldwide.
Virshawn “DJ Kaos” Perry – a talented hip hop DJ from the USA, who was the winner of the 1995 DMC World DJ Championship, also inserted into the DMC Hall of Fame since the year 1999. He was a stable member of the Artifacts crew, and was considered as the new Jam Master Jay. DJ Kaos died in August 2019, at 46, no cause of death has been revealed. I’m not a virtuoso, but I think that the DJs’ world can be enriched by technical virtuosity. So I mourn the death of DJ Kaos.
Virgil Howe – chiefly a musician and a session man from the UK, who collaborated with the Pet Shop Boys, the Killer Meters, and the Amorphous Androgynous. Virgil was also a DJ in London nightclubs, and had a regular radio show for Soho Radio. He was focused on disco-funk, a rare behavior for a young man. He died at 41, a case of sudden cardiac arrest, that is a major problem for public health, worldwide.
Virshawn “DJ Kaos” Perry – a talented hip hop DJ from the USA, who was the winner of the 1995 DMC World DJ Championship, also inserted into the DMC Hall of Fame since the year 1999. He was a stable member of the Artifacts crew, and was considered as the new Jam Master Jay. DJ Kaos died in August 2019, at 46, no cause of death has been revealed. I’m not a virtuoso, but I think that the DJs’ world can be enriched by technical virtuosity. So I mourn the death of DJ Kaos.
Vittorino Boffo – a former, pioneer dance DJ of the 70’s, from Nervesa Della Battaglia, a small, beautiful village in the Veneto region, Italy. He was the very first DJ to make people dance to the sound of vinyl records in the Montello, a hilly area which is famous for a fantastic production of excellent wines. After the experience as a disco DJ, Vittorino became a house painter. In the year 2010, he fell seriously ill, and started a struggle for his life, lasted for 5 years. In the year 2015, he died. Vittorino’s name is bound to the “Deep Blue Lake”, in Italian “Lago Turchino”. A curiosity, the “Deep Blue Lake” was a discotheque, while the true “Lago Turchino” is in Tuscany.
Walter Gibbons – a pioneer disco DJ, and a pioneer remixer from NYC. He was the uncredited father of hip hop, and of the vinyl maxi-single, also named “12” disco mix”. A true virtuoso of the mixer, astonishingly, he was completely self-taught. His lifetime story is a confirmation that originality is often connected to self-teaching. Unluckily, self-taught persons are rarely recognized, according to their personal value.
Walter Gibbons – a pioneer disco DJ, and a pioneer remixer from NYC. He was the uncredited father of hip hop, and of the vinyl maxi-single, also named “12” disco mix”. A true virtuoso of the mixer, astonishingly, he was completely self-taught. His lifetime story is a confirmation that originality is often connected to self-teaching. Unluckily, self-taught persons are rarely recognized, according to their personal value.
Walter Ralph Emery – a radio DJ from Tennessee, who has been recognized as the country radio’s greatest personality of the 20th century, and entered in the Hall of Fame of country music disc-jockeys, since the year 1989. Ralph had a childhood filled with familiar problems, and so radios became his new family. He was on air in the Nashville area from 1951 to 2015, and was also hired as a local TV presenter. Well, Ralph Emery has given a great contribution to the legend of Nashville, as the worldwide capital of country music. He died in January 2022, aged 88, after a short illness.
William Clyde Boahn, stage name Bill Bailey – perhaps, the most popular radio DJ of local radio stations in the USA. He started the activity in Louisville, at WAKY, in the year 1965, when he was 35. For 30 years, he became the “Duke of Louisville”, thanks to his morning show. He was gravel-voiced, human, believable, real, funny, and liked any kind of music. During his 39-years-long career, he was on many local stations, and reached high salaries. Bill Bailey was married for 6 times, and divorced 5 times. His favorite song was my Sharona by the Knack, that he played more than 1300 times. Bill died peacefully in 2012, aged 81. Two interesting things: Bill was born in New Bern, and his family was the poorest; he learned to be a radio DJ after the graduation, due to a school of the Air Force.
William Fernando Barnes aka DJ Nando – a popular strip club DJ, who was working in Atlanta US. He was a self-taught rapper, and a mix music master. DJ Nando was killed by shooting from behind in 2014, near his home, and died in his girlfriend’s arms, at 38. Experts affirm that the death of DJ Nando provoked the end of an era in the Atlanta hip hop scene.
William Fernando Barnes aka DJ Nando – a popular strip club DJ, who was working in Atlanta US. He was a self-taught rapper, and a mix music master. DJ Nando was killed by shooting from behind in 2014, near his home, and died in his girlfriend’s arms, at 38. Experts affirm that the death of DJ Nando provoked the end of an era in the Atlanta hip hop scene.
Zeno DJ, born Marco Zinato – a well-known DJ of clubs from Borgoricco, a village near Padua, who was a part of the Italian “Afro-music” movement. Zeno DJ started the profession in 1989, and, around the year 1994, obtained his best work, at the Cotton Club, near Venice, where he gained an international notoriety. For various times, he was hired as a guest DJ in Austria and in Germany. Sadly, Marco died suddenly, in March 2020, aged 46. Generally, I observe that nightclub DJs have a lifetime shorter than radio DJs.
Zia Marilina aka Marilina Ciraudo (the true name was Maria Drisolina) – a former Italian radio and TV DJ born in Portocannone, who became popular in Brindisi, on “Ciccio Riccio” Radio and TV. In the year 2003, she fell in love with a Portuguese boy, and followed him in Lisbon, where she has been working for 5 years in a perfume shop. Sadly, in the year 2008 she was robbed and killed at her Lisbon’s apartment by a man, promptly identified by the Portuguese police. She was aged 39. The man, now a 52-years-old Portuguese, named Thomas “Tomé” Fornasini, escaped from Portugal, and was arrested by the French police in the year 2010. An Italian proverb says something like: “you’d better prefer husbands and bovines born in your country”. Perhaps, sometimes the proverb can be useful.
It’s sad when good people dies, an archetypal kind of sadness, that no one can avoid, and it’s hard to overcome. Some kinds of consolations might come from: the tombs, chiefly made for relatives; remembering the good qualities of the dead; thinking about a divine salvation; believing in a new dawn; dedicating something to the dead; and so on. Talking about the dead DJs, I humbly admit that I’m learning from them, and that I sometimes exploit their ideas. So, the tribute mix is an invocation to metempsychosis, as for an ideal reparation.
File name is “metempsychosis of the DJs, by Max Look DJ (end of 2018)”, about 1 hour and 23’ of psychedelic hymns to the rebirth.
The reincarnation playlist:
Intro: Deep Purple – Stormbringer
Lonnie Liston Smith – renaissance
Boney M – I’m born again
Angie Stone feat T.H.C. – karma
Culture Club – karma chameleon
A Forest Mighty Black – rebirth
Marvin Gaye –a funky space reincarnation
House Of Pain – back from the dead
Karma – my resting place
Burak Yeter & Cecilia Krull – my life is going on (remix)
Rationals – leaving here
Charles Mann – do it again
Satya Project – karma wheel
Phoenix – long distance call
Talking Heads – heaven
David Bowie – karma man
Third Bardo – the dawn of tomorrow
Fixx – secret separation
Bobby Byrd – back from the dead
Booker T & the MG’s – reincarnation
Note: according to my initial intention, this page would have ended on the 31th of December 2019. Unfortunately, I’ve collected enough materials to adjourn it for another year. So the page is going to be adjourned also in the year 2020. A lucky new year to all my readers.
Note: I suspect that the page is on the way to become stable. For now, there’s enough for another year of updates, the newborn 2021. I hope that it’s going to be a better year than the 2020.
Note: I don't know if music is dying, as someone has said, but, for sure, many DJs are dead, and deserve a citation in this page.The updates can go on for the entire year 2022.
July 12, 2023 – Starting from today, the page has become stable. I should talk about hundreds of dead DJs but, sorry, I’ll do it slowly, according to my free time. More or less, the updates will be two per week.
