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"Adam Goldstein" redirects here. For the technical author, see Adam Goldstein (author). For the executive, see Royal Caribbean International.

DJ AM
DJ AM in December 2008
DJ AM in December 2008
Background information
Birth nameAdam Michael Goldstein
Also known asDJ AM
Born(1973-03-30)March 30, 1973[1]
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedAugust 28, 2009(2009-08-28) (aged 36)
New York City, U.S.
Occupation(s)DJ, remixer, drummer
Instrument(s)Turntables, drums
Websitehttp://www.djam.com/

DJ AM (born Adam Michael Goldstein; March 30, 1973 – August 28, 2009) was an American DJ, remixer and musician. Goldstein was a member of the rock band Crazy Town from 1999 until 2001, and was a successful solo DJ, performing for three years at Caesars Palace as well as at private events for various celebrities. He was also one half of TRV$DJAM along with Travis Barker. Barker and Goldstein were the only two survivors of the 2008 South Carolina Learjet 60 crash, which killed the four other people on board.

Goldstein appeared as himself in several television series, contributed mixes and appeared as a playable character in the video game DJ Hero, and filmed a cameo appearance for Iron Man 2. Goldstein, who had a drug addiction in his early 20s, hosted the 2009 MTV drug intervention series Gone Too Far. He appeared to struggling with his former addiction during filming. On August 29, 2009 he was found dead in his New York City apartment from a drug overdose. Iron Man 2, which was released in 2010, was dedicated to his memory.

Early and personal life

Goldstein was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[1] Goldstein described his father as "unbelievably cruel", stating that he was verbally abused by him.[2][3] His father abused drugs and alcohol and was incarcerated for committing bank fraud.[3][4] As an adult, however, Goldstein found out that the man he thought was his father was not his biological one.[5] Goldstein attended the Quaker school Friends' Central.[6] At the age of 14 he moved with his mother to Los Angeles after his parents divorced.[4] Here he fell in with a crowd of heavy drug users. He was sent to a drug rehabilitation centre though was indicted and dismissed for his treatment of younger patients[5] shortly before his 18th birthday.[4] His father died the following year due to complications from HIV/AIDS.[3][4]

When Goldstein was 20 years old, he started deejaying, which he had been obsessed with since seeing Herbie Hancock perform "Rockit" at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards. During his early 20s, Goldstein also battled a drug addiction, specifically to crack cocaine. In 1997 he attempted suicide but was unsuccessful when the gun he placed in his mouth jammed when he pulled the trigger.[4][3][7] Shortly thereafter, he became sober, began attending AA meetings and dedicated himself to working as a DJ.[8][9]

Goldstein began dating actress Nicole Richie in 2003 and announced their engagement in February 2005,[10] though the couple broke up in late 2006.[11] He dated Mandy Moore for two months in 2007 and remained close friends with her after separating.[12] Later in 2007 he was romantically involved with Jessica Stam.[4][13] Goldstein was an avid sneakerhead,[14] owning over 1,000 pairs of sneakers by 2007.[4]

Career

Goldstein in February 2007

Goldstein's stage name, "DJ AM" stands for his first and middle names, Adam Michael.[15] After having played for his friends and at private parties for some time, Goldstein got his first paying job as a DJ at an illegal after-hours club in Los Angeles at the age of 21, where he was paid $40 and a six-pack of beer for a night's work.[4] Goldstein's relationship with Nicole Ritchie helped skyrocket his career as a DJ. Us Weekly editor Janice Min said "He’s an amazing DJ, but there are a lot of amazing DJs. The difference is that there’s only one who dated Nicole. It put him on the map."[4] After befriending Shifty Shellshock he joined the rap/rock group Crazy Town in 1999, and contributed to their hit Butterfly, which reached No. 1 in several countries. He left the group in 2001 to escape the drug-related dysfunction that was plaguing the band.[16] By 2007 he was being paid between $10,000 and $25,000 for an event as a solo DJ.[4] Goldstein scratched on albums for Papa Roach, Madonna, Will Smith and Shifty, and played concerts with Jay-Z. He had played private events for celebrities like Jim Carrey, Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez, Ben Stiller, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christina Aguilera, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore and Kate Hudson.[17]

Goldstein and Travis Barker began performing under the name TRV$DJAM in June 2008. On September 19, 2008, after having performed at a college event, Goldstein and Barker were aboard South Carolina Learjet 60 when it crashed upon takeoff in Columbia, South Carolina. The crash killed both crew members and the two other passengers, and critically injured Goldstein and Barker.[18] They were transported to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia.[19] Goldstein suffered burns on his hands and parts of his head.[20] His ex-girlfriend Mandy Moore flew to be by his side in hospital.[21] Goldstein was released on September 26, 2008.[22] In December 2008, Goldstein filed a civil lawsuit against the plane's charter company, Learjet and Goodyear tires; the suit claims negligence on the part of the pilots and a manufacturing defect on the part of the plane. Goldstein was asking for damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement and loss of earnings.[23][24]

On December 1, 2008, TV Guide reported that DJ AM would be making his first appearance with Travis Barker since the two survived the plane crash. The duo performed at New Year's Nation's Los Angeles 2008 New Year's Eve Party at The Wiltern.[25][26][27] DJ AM spent three years performing at Caesars Palace,[16] but left in 2009 to become Rain Nightclub's regular Friday night DJ in the Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas.[28]

His reality television appearances include an episode of Punk'd, where his former fiancée, Nicole Richie, was the subject of a practical joke, as well as an episode of The Simple Life. Goldstein appears as himself in the "What About Bob?" episode of Entourage's third season. He also appeared as a guest DJ on an episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. In 2009 he appeared in the documentary Downtown Calling.[29] His final project was Gone Too Far, a drug intervention reality show for MTV, shooting eight episodes before his death, with an original scheduled air date of October 5, 2009. According to intervention expert BJ Hickman, who appeared in two episodes, Goldstein was clearly struggling with his addiction during filming. After Goldstein's death, Tony DiSanto, who came up with the idea for the show, stated "It crosses all of our minds" whether placing Goldstein near other addicts helped contribute to his relapse.[30] After debating whether to air the show following his death, MTV decided to debut it on October 12.[31] His family stated "It is our hope through airing this show that people will get to see the side of Adam that we knew and loved. The decision to air the show has been difficult, but we do this with the profound belief that it will inspire others to seek help".[32]

Goldstein in June 2009

Goldstein was involved with Activision’s DJ Hero game in 2009. After his death Activision vice president Tim Riley said “We hope that his work on the game will be a fitting tribute to his creative spirit and musical talent.”[33] He posthumously won "DJ of the Year" at the 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards.[34] Shortly after his death, he was featured in the South Park episode "Dead Celebrities", along with other celebrities that died in the summer of 2009. Goldstein filmed a cameo for the 2010 film Iron Man 2 two months before his death, appearing as himself deejaying Tony Stark's birthday party. The film is dedicated in his memory.[35] In 2015 Goldstein appeared as a featured artist on the track "Born to Raise Hell" on Crazy Town's first album in 13 years, The Brimstone Sluggers.[36] It was one of the last recordings he made before his death.[37]

Death

Goldstein was found dead in his New York City apartment on August 28, 2009, from a suspected drug overdose.[38][39] Drug paraphernalia, including a crack pipe and a bag of crack cocaine, were found in the apartment.[40][41] The New York medical examiner subsequently determined that Goldstein's death was an accident caused by an "acute intoxication" from a combination of cocaine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, lorazepam, clonazepam, alprazolam, diphenhydramine and levamisole (a drug used to cut cocaine).[42][43][44]

After a memorial service, Goldstein was interred at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery, a Jewish cemetery in Los Angeles on September 2, 2009.[45] The following day, a memorial was held at the Hollywood Palladium.[46]

Tributes

In August 2011, several DJs paid tribute to DJ AM at the Vanity Nightclub in the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas.[47] Eminem paid tribute to Goldstein on the 2010 song "Talkin' 2 Myself", rapping "Rest in peace to DJ AM/'cause I know what it's like/I struggle with this shit every single day."[48] Eminem also battled an addiction to prescription medication[49] and nearly died from a methadone overdose in late 2007.[50] On the cover of the 2011 Blink-182 album, Neighborhoods, "DJ AM" can be seen written on one of the buildings, as a memorial.[51]

A documentary film about Goldstein titled As I AM: The Life and Times of DJ AM, was announced at the Electric Daisy Carnival Week's EDMbiz Conference on June 20, 2013.[52] The film was directed by Kevin Kerslake and released in April 2015. Dennis Harvey from Variety called it an entertaining documentary, though also stated "there are some notable gaps left in the pic’s posthumous understanding of DJ AM ... as its flashy surface doesn’t always help us to understand the pure artistic soul he’s depicted as here."[5]

Discography

Further information: Crazy Town § Discography

Television and film appearances

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2005–2007 The Simple Life Himself 2005 episode "Zoo". 2007 episode "Welcome to Camp Shawnee" (archive footage)
2005 Punk'd Himself 1 Episode
2006 Entourage Himself 1 Episode
The Ellen DeGeneres Show Guest DJ (Himself) 1 Episode
2009 Gone Too Far Himself 8 Episodes, also as writer, creator
Film
Year Film Role Notes
2009 Downtown Calling Himself Documentary film
2010 Iron Man 2 Himself Feature film; dedicated in his memory
2015 As I AM: The Life and Times of DJ AM Himself Documentary film

References

  1. ^ a b Lee, Chris (August 29, 2009). "Adam Goldstein dies at 36; club owner gained fame as DJ AM". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  2. ^ Jonathan, Shecter (September 10, 2009). "DJ AM: Scenes from a life". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d "I Put a Gun in My Mouth and Pulled the Trigger". Glamour. Condé Nast Publications. January 4, 2008. Archived from the original on June 4, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Ogunnaike, Lola (April 29, 2007). "DJ AM: His Life, Times, Shoes". The New York Times. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  5. ^ a b c Harvey, Dennis (May 1, 2015). "Film Review: 'As I AM: The Life and Times of DJ AM'". Variety. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  6. ^ Amorosi, A.D. (August 30, 2009). "Talented yet troubled DJ AM's last, sad song". Philadelphia Media Network. Archived from the original on October 11, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  7. ^ Miller, Gerri (January 2, 2008). "DJ AM Opens Up About Suicide Attempt". People. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  8. ^ Snead, Elizabeth (September 21, 2008). "A look back as Travis Barker and DJ AM look ahead to a 'full recovery'". LA Times. Archived from the original on September 2, 2009. Retrieved June 4, 2015. On Monday morning I went to a meeting and said, 'I can't deejay sober – I sucked. This is how I pay my rent, and if I can't deejay, I don't know what I'm going to do.' After the meeting, a guy came up to me and said, 'I promise you, if you stay sober, your career will go further than you ever imagined possible.
  9. ^ Sandell, Laurie (January 2, 2008). "I Put a Gun in My Mouth and Pulled the Trigger". Glamour. Archived from the original on February 22, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2015. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; February 22, 2014 suggested (help)
  10. ^ Ingrassia, Lisa; Pienciak, Ryan (May 23, 2005). "It's Over – Again – for Nicole Richie and DJ AM". People. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  11. ^ "Nicole Richie, Fiancé Call Off Engagement". People. December 7, 2005. Archived from the original on October 7, 2008. Retrieved September 21, 2008.
  12. ^ Kaufman, Gil (August 29, 2009). "Mandy Moore 'Heartbroken' By DJ AM's Death". MTV. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  13. ^ Mark, David (April 7, 2007). "DJ AM Spins His Way into Beverly Hills". Variety. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  14. ^ Weinstein, Farrah (September 12, 2006). "'Entourage' Cameo Suited DJ AM Just Fine: Inside His Sneakerhead Life". MTV. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  15. ^ Piccalo, Gina (January 19, 2003). "Style & Culture; No sleep for DJ A.M. in the p.m.; Having caught the ears of the right people, he juggles star parties and club gigs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  16. ^ a b Arseniuk, Melissa (April 6, 2009). "DJ AM moving to Rain". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  17. ^ "Resume: Special Events". DJ AM. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  18. ^ Silverman, Stephen M.; Marx, Linda (September 20, 2008). "Travis Barker and DJ AM in Jet Crash". People. Archived from the original on September 21, 2008. Retrieved September 21, 2008.
  19. ^ "4 killed, 2 hurt as rock star's jet crashes". MSNBC. September 21, 2008. Archived from the original on September 22, 2008. Retrieved September 21, 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ "Drummer Barker 'to fully recover'". BBC News. September 21, 2008. Archived from the original on September 22, 2008. Retrieved September 21, 2008. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ Davis, Caris (September 22, 2009). "Mandy Moore Flies to DJ AM's Bedside". People. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  22. ^ Bloomekatz, Ari B. (September 22, 2008). "Musicians in jet crash expected to recover". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 10, 2008. Retrieved December 11, 2008. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ Fleeman, Mike (December 23, 2008). "DJ AM Files Lawsuit in Fatal Learjet Crash". People. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  24. ^ "DJ AM Addresses Rumors of Plane Crash Lawsuit". Us Weekly. December 31, 2008. Archived from the original on September 2, 2009. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  25. ^ Montgomery, James (December 1, 2008). "Travis Barker, DJ AM To Perform At New Year's Eve Party". MTV. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  26. ^ Grossberg, Josh (December 1, 2008). "Latest Details on Travis Barker, DJ AM Reunion Gig". E!. Archived from the original on December 17, 2008. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  27. ^ Eng, Joyce (December 1, 2008). "Travis Barker, DJ AM Reuniting for Performance". TV Guide. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  28. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (August 29, 2009). "DJ AM Remembered By Palms In Las Vegas". MTV. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  29. ^ "Downtown Calling". Downtown Calling. Retrieved June 6, 2015. {{cite web}}: Check |archiveurl= value (help)
  30. ^ Salkin, Allen (October 16, 2009). "Dancing With Demons". The New York Times. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  31. ^ Greenblat, Leah (October 5, 2009). "MTV to air DJ AM documentary series 'Gone Too Far'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  32. ^ Stransky, Tanner (October 9, 2009). "DJ AM's 'Gone Too Far' trailer: Will you watch?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  33. ^ Mastrapa, Gus (August 31, 2009). "DJ Hero Talent DJ AM Found Dead". Wired. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  34. ^ Martinez, Edwcio (October 12, 2009). "T.I. Wins BET Awards from Jail; DJ AM Wins From the Grave". CBS News. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  35. ^ Roberts, Soraya (April 22, 2010). "DJ AM, aka Adam Goldstein, appears in 'Iron Man 2' cameo filmed two months before his death". Daily News. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  36. ^ Sciarretto, Amy (August 28, 2015). "Album Stream: Crazy Town 'The Brimstone Sluggers'". Artistdirect. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  37. ^ "Crazy Town Release "Born To Raise Hell" Featuring J. Angel & DJ AM From 'The Brimstone Sluggers' Album". Icon Versus Icon. August 6, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  38. ^ Oh, Eunice (August 28, 2009). "DJ AM Found Dead in New York City". People. Archived from the original on August 30, 2009. Retrieved September 12, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ "Celebrity Disc Jockey 'DJ AM' Found Dead in New York Apartment". Fox News. August 29, 2009. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  40. ^ Lee, Chris (August 29, 2009). "Adam Goldstein dies at 36; club owner gained fame as DJ AM". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  41. ^ "Fate of DJ AM show unclear as speculation over death grows". CNN. September 1, 2009. Retrieved September 12, 2009.
  42. ^ "Drug overdose killed DJ AM, official says". CNN. September 29, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  43. ^ Ehrich Dowd, Kathy (September 29, 2009). "Medical Examiner Rules DJ AM Death an Accidental Overdose". People. Archived from the original on October 2, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  44. ^ "DJ AM Had Nine OxyContin Pills in his body". TVGuide. September 2, 2009. Archived from the original on October 6, 2009. Retrieved September 2, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  45. ^ Sosnik, Adam (September 3, 2009). "Funeral held for DJ AM". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  46. ^ Wedemeyer, Jessica (September 4, 2009). "Nicole Richie & Lindsay Lohan Attend DJ AM Memorial". People. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  47. ^ "Club plans tributes to DJ AM". Las Vegas Review-Journal. August 26, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  48. ^ Eminem (June 18, 2010). Recovery (Studio album).
  49. ^ McGee, Tiffany (May 4, 2009). "Eminem Bounces Back from 20-Pill-a-Day Addiction". People. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  50. ^ Eells, Josh (November 25, 2010). "Eminem on the Road Back From Hell". Rolling Stone (1118). New York City: Wenner Media LLC. ISSN 0035-791X. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  51. ^ "10 Things You Need to Know About the New Blink Album". Kerrang!. August 2011. p. 6
  52. ^ McCarthy, Zel (June 20, 2013). "DJ AM Documentary Trailer Debuts at EDM Biz Conference". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  53. ^ Koski, Genevieve (October 6, 2009). "DJ Hero track list revealed". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  54. ^ Hatfield, Daemon (May 28, 2009). "Pre-E3 2009: DJs Z-Trip, AM Join DJ Hero". IGN. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
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