Mike Brown, a Detroit DJ, mentor and a former member of Direct Drive, has died after a fight against cancer. Brown passed away on January 14, after he had been receiving kidney dialysis while undergoing cancer treatment. Last summer, a GoFundMe page was set up by friends and family to support his treatment, which had reached a total of $4,000 out of its $15,000 target. The GoFundMe page has now been updated with the news of Brown’s death, and has repurposed the fundraising initiative to cover his funeral costs.
In a tribute to Brown, the GoFundMe page asks: “What do you say about an individual who has positively impacted anyone and everyone who has had the opportunity to know, in family or friendship?” Brown was influential in Detroit’s movement of dance music scene back in the late 1970s and was a member of Direct Drive, a collective pre-dating the techno movement and influencing its contributors such as Juan Atkins and Kevin Saunderson.
Brown’s death was mourned on social media by his many fans and friends, including DJs and producers. Carl Craig, a long-time friend of Brown, paid tribute to him on Instragram “Rest in Power Mike Brown. You lead by examples of love and positive energy. DJing with you and for you in Detroit was always special. Those records you played for me in your garage back in the day stays with me forever.”
Another friend, noted producer and techno pioneer Richie Hawtin, posted “Thank you to Mike Brown for everything you brought to this community and the techno scene worldwide. We will miss you, my friend.”
Brown’s passing marks a significant loss to the music community and is a sad moment for techno fans around the globe
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