international news _ 27th September, 2006

Cult New York DJ Dies At Burning Man, Aged 37

Text by Jonty Skrufff (Skrufff.com)

East Village DJ/ journalist/ producer Adam Goldstone collapsed and died while taking a shower in his camper van at Burning Man Festival two weeks ago, reportedly due to a heart condition that he’d carried since childhood.

The 37 year old journalist was the clubs editor for Time Out New York between 1993 and 1998 then started producing, releasing an acclaimed album for UK label Nuphonic ‘Lower East Side Stories’ in 2001. Widely respected as one of New York’s most individualistic and independent characters, his death brought a touching tribute from long-time friend Andy Reynolds, founder of PR and production company Penetration, Inc. and a DJ on eastvillageradio.com.

“Uptown, Downtown, all around town, that was Adam Goldstone. From dragging a taxi full of house freaks up to the black gay club The Warehouse in the Bronx, to the speakeasy joints like Body Heat and Brownies to Suzanne Bartsch's Halloween balls, Adam was up for anything,” said Andy.

“He lived for nightlife and was keenly focused on keeping nightlife—as it should be—alive. Adam embodied the Downtown spirit that evolved out of the late 20th century East Village where fiercely independent, creative, and stylish people defined a scene that will never be duplicated. He loathed everything about the ‘bottles 'n' models’ clubs that have come to dominate New York, where management is more concerned with selling $300 bottles of crap vodka to corporate twats than any kind of quality nightclub experience,” he said.

Andy also hailed Adam’s sense of independence, including his willingness to experiment which saw him never afraid of clearing dance floors when DJing.

“Adam was Adam. He stuck to his guns, never compromising his vision of what a dance floor should be or what he thought people should hear. He was a brilliant DJ, equally adept at spinning everything from bossa nova to tech-house to classics. I think he- and his likeminded fans- took pleasure in clearing a floor from time to time. It was also a nod to Larry Levan, who had a similar attitude, and was a big influence on how Adam approached his DJing.”

Village Voice dance critic Trish Romano paid tribute to Adam in a lengthy article about his impact and described how he longed to bring back the vibe of the 80s clubbing days to New York, though Andy told Skrufff he thinks it’s unlikely to ever happen.

“Back in the 80's you could actually work part time in a record shop or bookstore or for an indie label AND have time to be creative and still pay your rent. Now, even the creative people—the ones that are left—have to hustle to get that money. Even harder for those, like Adam, who refused to get a 9 – 5. So, no. Corporate America rules. Those days are over. Adam was my favorite DJ. Ever!” he added.

Skrufff man-in-New York Larry Tee was also a friend and told Skrufff ‘Adam was the cheerleader for dance music in New York City; he always came to your parties even when they were bombs’.

“Adam was the sweetest straight queen I have even known who had a fondness for mod suits (think Pee Wee Herman) and ascots (the scarf that goes under your collar below the neckline),” Larry continued.

“It really makes me sad to know that I wont see him again or trade snarky barbs with such an upbeat wit. He never cared what other people liked in dance music. His tastes were his own. But on the upside he appreciated all types of dance music and wanted to experience all the different scenes,” he said.