R.I.P Adam Goldstein.
This photo was taken Tuesday, Oct 4th, 2008, the night Obama was elected president, and the night I played Dim Mak Tuesdays at Cinespace. Daft Punk was in the club that night, as were Busy P and the Ed Banger Crew, MSTRKFT, and many others. Amazing night! Everyone went to this Thai restaurant on Hollywood Blvd and hung out til the wee hours. We had chatted a bit inside, but when I saw he was leaving I had to run out for a picture. It was about 5am, and had been a long night. He had also just been in that plane crash just 2 weeks before. You can see he wasn’t fully recovered in the picture, yet he didn’t mind at all. He even had me check the photo and said “Do you like that one or should we take another one?”. That’s the kind of guy AM was, even at 5am.
It’s taken me a few days to write about this. I’ve been reading everyone’s responses to his death and they’ve been tough to get through. I didn’t know him extremely well, but I knew him enough to know how sincerely amazing he was.
I have looked up to AM for years, he was, without a doubt, the best DJ out there doin it – he was the archetype, the blueprint, the biggest inspiration. He showed me we, as DJs, could really excel, and make a huge impact on the world we live in. His schedule was grueling, and his work ethic undeniable. In 2007 I was able to play his, Steve Aoki and (thee) Mike B’s night “Banana Split Sundays” at his club, LAX in Hollywood
He wasn’t able to be there as he was playing Coachella that Sunday night, but it was an honor to play at his club and weekly. He then came to Vancouver within the next 6 months, and Mike B sent me his BBM pin, and we chatted a bunch before the show. Now, one might assume a superstar DJ who travels all over the world would have a go-to set, or just show up and wing it. Not AM! He was asking all kinds of questions like “Should I play my bottle service stuff, or can I play some cool stuff too, whats going to work best”? The consummate professional. This is one of many things I’ve picked up from AM, and I find myself asking the same questions before gigs. The show was packed, but the club energy wasnt really there. The crowd couldn’t and didn’t respond well, and he told me he felt bad and confused about the gig – it was amazing how much he cared. For the record, I thought he killed it, and was just a victim of the lame Vancouver crowd syndrome.
The next time I saw him was my next trip to LA. Oct 2nd I was there for the Banana Split 2 year anniversary. So many friends in the house, Crookers, Mike, AM, Aoki, Ed Banger, MSTRKFT..and so many others. AM killed it that night, and it was amazing to be there. That photo above was taken after an amazing night at Cinespace Oct 4th, 2008. Sunday, Oct 9th I was over at Mike B’s place. He said he had to head over to AM’s place to grab something for tonight (Kid Capri was joining them at Banana Split Sundays). I was like “Ok cool I’ll just chill here”. Mike said “Nah man, come with me!”. I won’t front, my heart skipped a beat – I was going to AM’s house. This subsequently became the highlight of my trip and something I won’t ever forget. We drove through Beverly Hills, and arrived at his place. Keep in mind this was 2 weeks after the plane crash – AM was still recovering from serious burns and well, from surviving a plane crash. I thought the LAST thing he’d want is some guy he doesnt know well coming over to his place. But Mike insisted and I went inside. His place was amazing, a real dream. I stood around for a while listening to him and Mike talk – laughin, shootin the shit, and even alluding to the plane crash – saying how there was nothing he could do but get back on his grind. He seemed totally cool that I was there, which was nice. I just remember being extremely overcautious about not being “that guy”. I wasn’t going to ask him “How are you doin” or ask anything about the plane crash. The reason we were there was to pick up a sign that Ed Banger artist SoMe had mailed over from France, a custom job made for LAX. AM had spent the day assembling it and putting in the backlighting so it was ready for that night. So I’m sitting in one of my hero’s places tryin to act cool. Mike had to run out to the car to get it ready for the sign. Me and Adam lifted it over to the front door and waited for Mike to get back. Now, heres the point of this wordy story…
One would think, after what he’d been through, and the amount of smalltalk and whatever else he wouldn’t really care to talk to someone intently he didn’t know well, but that wasn’t AM. We talked for a while about Vancouver, music, blogs, t-shirts, his place (as he was telling me about the recent work he had done and how much he loves being at home), and I wish i could remember what else. But the point being, this was just how he was – an amazing conversationalist, and a truly nice guy. So when I read all these testimonials from his friends, I know every word is true. That night me and Mike put up the SoMe piece at LAX. He told me great job and that it looked perfect in his club.
That night he destroyed it, and was absolutely wildin out to Kid Capri – You could see that he really loved this shit, and was screaming and throwin his hands up the whole set. Here’s a pic:
Last time he came through Vancouver he played a set at Pop Opera. Again, you could tell he drew a bum crowd and kept it pretty safe on the bottle service hits, but in true AM fashion snuck in some great tunes. He even played some obscure mashup I did that I dont think I really even shared, outside of this site maybe, and that blew my mind. He then left the gig and headed over to my friends after party, the Schitzpopinov crew. He really liked their blog, and came by to play the after party FOR FREE, as he got to play whatever the heck he wanted – Again, this is the kind of guy DJ AM was. He killed it that night too, you could see he was havin fun. As said, he loved music, and worked so hard searching for it and practicing, he will forever be an inspiration.
Anyways, this is probably a drawn out way to say what everyone else has already said, but this shit bums me out because I know that every heartfelt sentiment everyone has written is more than words, it’s really real. Rest in peace Adam.
Awww Yeah!
Here are some reactions from friends and associates:
(thee) Mike B
A-Trak
Diplo
Eli Escobar
Stretch Armstrong
Matt Colon (Deckstar)
Pase Rock
Schitz Popinov Blog
Roctakon
DJ Premier
?uestlove
The Village Voice
