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Peter Rauhofer received tribute from his peers in the dance-music industry today after it was announced the famed and acclaimed music producer had died. It was less than a month ago that I first heard the news he'd been hospitalized with a massive brain tumor, and I hopefully wished the best for him at that time. http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2013/04/peter-rauhofer.html
"Shocked at the death of Peter Rauhofer," producer/ remixer/ dj Chris Cox wrote on Facebook. "We didn't always see eye to eye, but I always respected his music. R.I.P."
Producer Tony Moran noted: "A
short while ago I heard that one of our music heroes past away. I was
shocked, hurt and angry that someone who I am certain had so much left
to offer is gone. Condolences to his family and friends and I am now moving my energy to all the contributions that Peter has made. I will miss you, Tony."
Diva Kristine W wrote: "I
am very sad about the news of Peter Rauhofer, I have meet him several
times and enjoyed talking to him at various events and privately in
conversation. I will miss this Dance Music Legend and I am sure he has a
packed dance floor in heaven. He was a great talent. I will always
cherish the amazing remix he did for me on my single 'Some Lovin'."
And Rolling Stone reported: "Pioneering DJ, producer and remixer Peter Rauhofer died today after a
long battle with brain cancer, according to a note from friend and
manager Angelo Russo.... He was 48." Rauhofer remixed all the major disco divas of the day (Cher, Madonna, Whitney, Mariah, Yoko, Adele, Toni Braxton) and was a major influence in the dance-music world since the 1990s. He received a Grammy for remixing Cher's "Believe" in 1999.
Peter, thank you for the joy all your music brought us. You are missed in clubs and dance floors around the world. He will be buried in his native Austria.
I have often sung the praises -- right here on this blog, in fact -- of Peter Rauhofer as a remixer and producer. He truly is one of the bright lights in the dance-music business. So, I was stunned to read this news today in Metro Weekly:
Hundreds of Peter Rauhofer's fans expressed well
wishes for the famed dance music producer and DJ after it was announced
that he is suffering from a "large brain tumor." His manager, Angelo, wrote today:
As Peter Rauhofer's manager and dear friend for many years, it is my
sad duty to announce that Peter was rushed to the emergency room several
weeks ago. After confirming that Peter had a seizure, further testing
has revealed a large brain tumor, something that has gone undiagnosed
for quite some time.
At this time, Peter's family is working closely with a team of
talented Neurologists to determine the overall best treatment option.
Please be assured that he is getting the absolute finest care possible,
twenty-four hours a day.
Rauhofer is known for his prolific career as a remix producer for top-talent singers like Madonna, Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston and many others. He also released original recordings under the name Club 69 and
the label Star 69. He has performed as DJ at some of the world's
biggest gay clubs and other dance parties including Washington, D.C.'s
Cherry events.
I recently raved about the work Rauhofer did on Adele's "Skyfall," Tori Amos' "Flavor" and Toni Braxton's "I Heart You" (all Billboard dance-chart hits) on more than one blog post. Peter continues to be an iconic influence and an inspiration, and he has helped set a standard for quality remixes.
Buddy Beaverhausen wishes Peter Rauhofer the best in his hospitalization, and for his recovery. Today's club music world uniformly echoes that sentiment.
One of my eternal Rauhofer favorites; a production for Club 69. Diva! featuring Kim Cooper:
I'm in a real groovy space right now as I write this, sipping on a little wine (as Gloria Gaynor, I believe, once put it), and listening to the Joey Negro/Sean P compilation double-cd set, "The Soul of Disco: Volume Two." It opens with the funky "Disco Party" by The Escorts, in which gritty, bass-heavy beats and guitar give way to soaring strings and vocals, bringing us back to a bygone musical era . This is followed by the rare Gladys Knight and the Pips' "It's a Better than Good Time," 12" Walter Gibbons mix, which is just disco-heavenly.
I am checking out, in the meanwhile, Billboard's latest top-25 Dance/Club chart, surprised to find it, too, embracing classic dance-music styles, particularly New Wave '80s and '90s House music.
Adele has risen with the remixed pop theme song, "Skyfall," to #10 (from #13 last week), which is more a throwback to the '60s and early '70s as remixed for the Teens. The sublime Oscar-nominated number has several solid dancefloor remixes though it is, no doubt, buoyed on Billboard by the latest re-work by Peter Rauhofer.
"Gold," the Spandau Ballet 1980s classic, has been remixed and remains at #8, more evidence that there is a current popular gravitation to the melodic songs of the 1960s through the 1980s, generally. '90s rock star Lenny Kravitz' "Superlove" peaked at #2, and still remains at 15th place while, at #16, The Pet Shop Boys (who have been with us since the '80s), jumped up three notches since last week with "Leaving" from their current album. http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2012/10/audio-beaverhausen-pet-shop-boys-elysium.html
Ciara is "Sorry" at #17 but, seriously, it's nice to have her back. And it's simply awesome to have another song by '90s diva, Crystal Waters -- still going strong on the international club scene-- up and rising at #20 with the superb, energetic Italo-houser, "A Love to Call My Own." Hope to watch it soar!
How come, when I dance in the street, people think I'm a freak? I was hoping this question would be answered on the great new number by Stereo Missile, "Freak," featuring the vocals of another great '90s diva with powerful pipes, Carlotta Chadwick. The question, as posed by Ms Chadwick, is, however, academic, as it turns out. The electro style by Stereo Missile is coolly retro, and it is currently #22.
Revenge of the '90s House Music continues with Euro-trance producers Delirium returning with a new hit, "Days Turn Into Nights" (#24). And, to round things off, '90s girl, Tori Amos, returns to the Billboard Dance Chart with her new song, "Flavor," remixed by Rauhofer once again, and up at 23rd place. Retro is the Flavor of Today.
But it's even more retro at the Beaverhausen residence tonight as Janice McClain belts out the mid-temp disco number, "Giving My Love" on my aforementioned cd. Retro is the new New! Or so, at least, it seems tonight.
There's a brilliance about Peter Rauhofer's big room anthem mix of "Skyfall" that will immediately draw you to the dancefloor. All I can say is Wow! It's an exciting rework that enhances Adele's James Bond theme song while preserving the integrity of the original version. You can download at http://soundcloud.com/workparties/skyfall-peter-rauhofer-big
Peter does an equally fabulous club mix of "Flavor," bringing Tori Amos back to discoland, where she has been sorely missed. The style of this mix is so similar to that of "Skyfall," it's evident they could easily be mixed together in a set, though it also hints at a kind of cookie-cutter approach on Rauhofer's part, perhaps in an attempt to land another mainstream club hit. (Listen at link below.)
Expose is back with the 2012 remixes of "Shine On." (Expose is Ann Curliss, Jeanette Jurado and Gioia Bruno, if you're not already aware.) This '80s girl group is back in style with a well-written song and a series of powerful mixes by Klubjumpers, Amy Alderman and -- my fave -- the Chris Thomas Light of Love remix.
Dj Buddy B when he twirled in his loin cloth
Almighty Records are amazing! They are one of the most successful indy labels of all time and internationally successful remixers as well. Their new cover of Tarzana's "Tarzan Boy," by Amazonia, is unabashedly hiNRG in the label's inimitable style and I love it! It will make you want to twirl in your loin cloth.
Sweden's Gravitonas always engages us with their nouveau NRG/electronica. The band's new "Incredible" is just that, produced by Alexander Bard, the man who brought us Army of Lovers ("Crucified") in the '80s.
All hail hit-making Dj Lenny B's remix of Kelly Clarkson's "Catch My Breath"! It is a "gotta dance," moving, upbeat experience that mainstream club crowds hunger for. Check it out. The Dj Tristan Jaxx bootleg remix of Cher's "A Woman's World" has, meanwhile, surfaced, and who can resist? "Hard core dance music," was Cher's description of her forthcoming album that will feature this single. Nice work on this leaked, unofficial club mix.
Kisses out to my blog readers this week for record views from Australia, United Arab Emirates, Poland, Hungary and Italy. And to the US, UK, Indonesia, Canada, France, Brazil, Germany and Mexico for strong, continued support.
Ok, everybody, it's holiday time! Let's Party and Spread the Love into the New Year!
