ArtistInfo

Paul Holden

g, voc,
Dance

Tributes are pouring in for pioneering and much-loved Sydney DJ, Paul Holden, who has died suddenly after falling at home. Holden, 51, who was regarded as a leader in the emerging rave culture in Sydney in the late 1980s and early 1990s, fell at home in Mosman home on Tuesday hitting his head, according to a friend who spoke to Fairfax. Holden was alone and not found until Wednesday morning when a family member found him. Holden's longtime friend and fellow DJ Mark Dynamix wrote on Facebook: "I have no words right now, I can't speak, utterly shocked. I have just heard that my partner in Jack The House, Mr. Paul Holden has passed away. Absolutely devastated." Another DJ, Robbie Lowe, said Holden's music selections were always uplifting and infectious: "Everyone would always be smiling from ear to ear when Paul was playing. "I got to play alongside him for the first time ever a couple months ago and I'm so grateful for this. I was so nervous as well because I really wanted to impress him as I've always looked up to him." Stephen Ferris, head of the music program for the upcoming Vivid festival, worked as a Sydney DJ in the 1980s and 1990s. He said Holden's 30-plus year career was a testament to his talents and personality. "He was one of the originals still floating around so to go so long without any bad blood or having changed personality types and fallen out with people is extraordinary in itself. He was such an easy guy to work with. "I felt very sad when I heard the news. He was genuinely loved by everyone and he remained a DJ because he loved the music." Cosmo Cater, a former DJ, wrote that Holden "embodied the qualities of a really great DJ in that he was able to connect with any crowd through his music and immense charisma. "He regularly delivered 'nights to remember'. His music was immensely happy and there was such a fun quality to it, no matter what sound he played." Holden started as a DJ at the Exchange Hotel on Oxford Street in 1980 and during his long career worked alongside international stars such as De La Soul, Carl Cox, Laurent Garnier and Paul van Dyke. He played at many Sydney parties including the Mardi Gras parties and Sleaze balls at the Hordern Pavilion, Bacchanalia, Strawberry Fields, Jack the House, Field of Dreams and Stun! He also regularly toured Australia as a DJ. In 2003 Holden told recounted his career highlights to dance music publication inthemix: "Playing to 25,000 people at each of two Mardi Gras and two Sleaze Balls was truly magnificent." He also told publication what got him started: "When I was about 10 I attended a disco party at the local scout hall and was instantly entranced by the sight of people dancing to loud music and the flashing of a strobe-light. "That was it, I was hooked!" A Facebook page has been set up for people to share memories and leave condolences for Holden, which it described as "one of Australia's all-time most successful, versatile and popular DJ's."

Instruments

• Guitar
• Vocals

Genres

• Dance
• Rock

Plays With