West Coast house legend DJ Dan has died.
The influential producer and DJ’s death was revealed in a statement shared by representatives of the artist yesterday. He was 57 years old. His cause of death has not been revealed at the time of writing.
“It is with profound sorrow, deep admiration and an enduring sense of gratitude and love that we announce the passing of Daniel Wherrett—known professionally to the world simply as DJ Dan—one of the most beloved, genre-defying, and genuinely influential pioneers in the history of American electronic music,” the statement read.
DJ Dan was due to play in Reno, Nevada, on Saturday, but did not show for the event, according to a report from Billboard. A source close to the DJ told Billboard he had not responded to text messages in the two days prior to his death.
Born in Lacey, Washington, DJ Dan moved to Seattle to study design before falling in love with electronic music and following his passion to Southern California, where he became a fixture of the city’s thriving underground rave scene in the early 1990s. A few years later, he moved to San Francisco, where he co-founded the city’s famous Funky Tekno Tribe collective and further emerged as one of California’s finest, fusing house, techno, breakbeat, and more.
After his Electroliners track “Loose Caboose” caught fire in 1995, DJ Dan shot to global prominence. Across his lengthy catalog, DJ Dan recorded three BBC Radio Essential Mixes, including one alongside fellow legend Frankie Knuckles in 2007, and released six charting tracks and albums, among innumerable other contributions to modern electronic music.
“He leaves behind his music, his label, his mixes, and the countless thousands of dancers who found themselves—truly found themselves—in the middle of one of his sets,” the statement continued. “The world is quieter today. But press play on anything he touched, and you will hear exactly why we mourn him, and exactly why we are forever grateful he was here to inspire us.”
EDM Maniac offers its heartfelt condolences to DJ Dan’s family and loved ones during this trying time.
Featured image courtesy: DJ Dan.