Detroit DJ, Label head and sound designer Mike Huckaby passed away on April 24 at the age of 54.
While the official cause of death was earlier unknown, it all stemmed from a lengthy hospitalization that began due to a stroke. Craig Huckaby, his brother, told the Detroit Free Press that his brother had suffered a mild stroke in early March, but appeared to be improving. However, he then developed a cough, sweats, and eventually had to be put on a ventilator and had also tested positive for COVID-19 before his death.
Booking agent Daniel Liakhovitski shared his thoughts to Pitchfork in a statement saying, “Mike Huckaby was an incredible talent and a beautiful soul. A giant of a man, deeply loved by all who knew him. Mike’s life was all about music. Please listen to his tracks and his DJ mixes. His music speaks louder than words. His legacy will forever live on in the hearts of house and techno music lovers all over the world.”
Huckaby’s booking agency, CONNECT Bookings, shared a heartfelt post on Facebook following his death.
Huckaby was an influential Detroit Techno and House mainstay. He got onto the scene in the late 1980’s and bridged the gaps between house music and techno to go on to soon become a fixture in the local scene. He held residencies at spots like Motor Lounge, St. Andrew‘s Hall, and Majestic Cafe among others.
In the 1990s, Huckaby worked at the renowned Record Time music store, where he was a longtime manager and buyer. There he worked alongside techno peers Dan Bell, Claude Young, and Magda.
As highlighted by DJ Mag, among other things, Huckaby was also an influential figure for young, aspiring producers and DJs, he led production workshops at YouthVille Detroit and beyond, with innumerable DJs and electronic artists counting him as a mentor.
- Coachella To Livestream All Six Stages For First Time Ever On YouTube From Its 2023 Edition - April 9, 2023
- Kygo Releases Remix For Michael Jackson And Paul McCartney Classic “Say Say Say” - April 3, 2023
- Tomorrowland Brazil Announces Phase One Lineup Along With Worldwide Ticket Sales Going Live - March 31, 2023
