DJ Dan, a beloved West Coast house producer, has passed away after a legendary career, Billboard reports.
No cause of death has been reported at this time.
Statement Shared Following DJ Dan’s Passing
In a statement to Billboard, representative for the artist spoke about the DJ’s lasting legacy while sharing the news.
“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 said. “He leaves behind not just a discography, but a culture — a way of feeling music that touched millions of souls across four decades and five continents. He often said he felt his purpose in life was ‘to heal through music.’”
They added that DJ Dan was a “man who saw music in colors,” adding that Disco was orange, while techno was blue and brown, and progressive sounds were deep blue.
“He described his DJ sets as ‘peaks and valleys of energy through color’ — and that synesthetic vision translated into something audiences felt in their bodies long before they understood it with their minds,” the statement continued, adding that he credits his beloved record producer James Brown, as well as his parents, for inspiring him.
When he wasn’t performing, DJ Dan’s passions including cooking, traveling, as well as being an “obsessive record collector whose family bought him a new turntable every Christmas — not because it was tradition, but because it was the only gift he ever wanted.”
“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 concludes. “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.”
DJ Dan Had A Show Scheduled For Saturday, March 28
DJ Dan had a scheduled show on Saturday, March 28, but ticket holders said that he did not show up for his performance in Reno, Nevada.
The promoter ultimately shared a statement on Instagram, posting, “unfortunately DJ Dan is unable to make it tonight.”
Billboard further reports that a person close to the DJ shared he had “not been responding to text messages for two days before his death.”
Dan was one of original Foundations that house was built upon. Respect to the fullest. Now he left the house . And up to the future generations to maintain. Dan say what up to 2pac for me! Much respect!!!