obituary

Adam Goldstein, aka DJ AM, was found dead today at his apartment at age 36. A drug overdose is suspected, because drug paraphernalia was found at the scene.

Goldstein is probably best known to many because of his relationship with Nicole Richie, but his scratching can be heard on tracks by Madonna, Will Smith and others.

The video, above, catches DJ AM performing with Travis Barker. Just a year ago, Goldstein and Barker were the only survivors of a plane crash which killed four other passengers.

His last statement, via Twitter, was this:

“New York, New York. Big city of dreams, but everything in New York ain’t always what it seems.”

The world of music lost one of its most iconic stars today, Michael Jackson.

It’s a cliche, but Jackson lives on in his music, not just in its original form but in thousands of permutations.

The world of 8-bit Michael Jackson covers, is a little strange, or maybe a lot strange, depending on your perspective. But, even in video game style arrangements, Jackson’s best songs are still insanely catchy.

Here are just a few examples……. Read more…

Andy Hughes, an electronic music producer and DJ best know for his work with The Orb, passed away Friday, June 12th after a short illness:

During the last few days of his life, he was cared for by the staff of the Liver Intensive Care Unit at Kings College Hospital in London and whilst visiting Andy we discovered the excellent, caring and truly ‘intensive’ work that these wonderful people do every day.

Andy’s parents have requested that if you would like to make a donation to charity in memory of Andy, his life and his work, then please use this page to donate to the Kings College Hospital Charity.

Any Hughes is known for his work with The Orb, where he helped mix and produce Orbus Terrarum, Orblivion and Cydonia, as well as The Orb’s singles from this period.

Hughes was born November 11th, 1965 and grew up in Harrow, Middlesex. Read more…

Renowned film composer Maurice Jarre, who won the Academy Award three times for his epic scores, has died at 84. He was best known for his soundtrack to Dr. Zhivago, but he composed over 100 scores in his career.

Maurice Alexis Jarre was born Sept. 13, 1924, in Lyon, France. He studied music at the Paris Conservatory, where his teachers included the Swiss composer Arthur Honegger, the timpanist Félix Passerone and Joseph Martenot, the inventor of an electronic keyboard, a predecessor of the synthesizer.

Jarre married four times; he is survived by his wife, Fong, whom he married in 1984. Other survivors include two sons, synthesist Jean-Michel, and Kevin, a screenwriter; and a daughter, Stéfanie. Though Mr. Jarre had lived in the United States for decades, the president of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, issued a statement after his death, calling Mr. Jarre “a great composer” who, by working in film, “broadened the public for symphonic music.”

“He showed everyone that music is just as important as images for the beauty and success of a film,” said French President Nicolas Sarkoz. Read more…

Mexican musician Jorge Reyes died of a heart attack on Saturday, February 7, 2009, at his recording studio. Jorge Reyes was 57.

Jorge Reyes combined traditional Mexican instrumentation with new technology. He released over twenty recordings and collaborated with Steve Roach and others.

The above video captures Reyes performing for the Day of the Dead. Read more…