DJ Peter Rauhofer dies at 48
Pioneering DJ and dance music producer Peter Rauhofer has passed away. It was announced in April that he had been hospitalized with a serious brain tumor. According to his Facebook fan page, Rauhofer was 48. A post attributed to his manager, Angelo Russo, had this final update:
“Today the music industry has lost one of its true heroes.
“With a heavy heart I must now report that Peter Rauhofer has lost his battle with brain cancer. He passed quietly today and is survived by his mother, Helga, who resides in Austria. She will transport Peter back home to his final resting place there, but to all that knew Peter, his heart will always be in New York City.
“It makes me sad, not only that I have lost a friend, but that the world has lost an amazing talent and that future generations will never get to understand the magic that Peter created night after night all over the world.
“He is gone too soon but we will always have the vast body of music that Peter left for us.
“Through his music, Peter will live forever. The brightest stars always burn out too soon. Peter, you were loved and you will be terribly missed. Goodbye my friend. Please rest in peace knowing that you have brought so much joy to so many of us. I ask that his true fans keep his legacy alive by sharing his music with anyone who may not have had the opportunity to experience it for themselves.”
Rauhofer was well known for his work since the late 1980s, performing at some of the world’s biggest gay dance clubs and parties. He also produced several albums and countless remixes for famous pop singers and dance music artists. Rauhofer won a 1999 Grammy for Remixer of the Year as Club 69. His unique sound inspired many of his peers.
Joe Gauthreaux: “Trying to imagine a world without any new Peter Rauhofer mixes is not a world I like to imagine. Although the work he did will love on forever, it doesn’t change that a legend has been lost.”
Hex Hector: “The music world had lost yet another of it’s shinning stars.”
Carl Cox: “Very sad day indeed, your music will always be here for us.”
Oscar G.: “Today I lost a friend and we all lost a great artist. Peter is a giant part of House Music history. He inspired so many artists and rocked so many dance-floors with his music. The world over. He will truly be missed.”
Offer Nissim: “A friend, a partner, an inspiration. Peter was the one who gave me my first international recognition, fulfilling my dream to get my track (‘That’s the way I like it’ with maya simantov) printed on vinyl record in his successful label ‘STAR69,’ and for that i will always be grateful for him. His music will stay with us and forever live in our hearts.”
Victor Calderone: “Incredibly sad to hear the news. The Industry has lost a great talent. Thank you for the inspiring sessions we shared.”
Cevin Fisher: “Peter also knew his music and he had a deep history and knowledge of music, music production and technology, and no matter what, you have to agree, that winning a Grammy and re-mixing some of the Top artist in music, sets you apart from the pack and puts you in a special class of DJ’s/Producers.”
Roland Belmares: “Though I didn’t get to know him very well personally, I’ll never forget the first time I was introduced to him in 99, the shock on my face when he already knew my name must have been priceless. As big a talent and as dedicated to his craft as he was, he never looked down on those of us trying to work up the ranks.”
Chris Cox: ” His records always rocked a floor, and his productions always gave me something to strive for. He leaves behind a fantastic musical body of work.”
Danny Tenaglia: “Many people will come and go in this business, but very few will ever achieve all that Peter had achieved in over 2 decades with his undying devotion and dedication to dance music. He brought so much joy to dance floors globally and his music will sorely be missed but it shall live on forever!”
Frankie Knuckles: “Respect to a great producer. Sleep well, Peter.”
You can hear some of Peter Rauhofer’s last works on SoundCloud, BeatPort, or YouTube.
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