Fix Your Face: In Memory of DJ AM

“New York, New York. Big city of dreams, but everything in New York ain’t always what it seems.” Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein tweeted these lyrics from New York, New York on August 25th, just a few days before his untimely death. Nearly a year ago, DJ AM was in a tragic plane crash. He and former drummer of Blink 182, Travis Barker, were the lone survivors. For months and months Goldstein could only think about why he survived, why he is still living and those that were also on the plane aren’t. The burden became too much for him to handle. Just a few months ago he took his life. Goldstein, however, didn’t take the time to realize that he was a hero to a lot of people.

Adam Goldstein, a crack addict of 11 years, began recording his new hit series “Gone Too Far” just before his death. The show focuses on DJ AM helping addicts sober up and straighten up. He struggled with drugs and depression for over a decade. AM admitted that drugs became his identity in a 2005 interview. He also said he would deejay until two in the morning and go to his apartment to do drugs until 10 in the morning. Once AM said, “If I ever go back to doing crack, I’ll kill myself.”

A turning point occurred in his life in 1997 when he thought suicide was his way out. After a night filled with snorting cocaine he stared into a mirror and could not look away. He put a gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger. The gun jammed and AM kept his life. The next day, one of his friends made an attempt to take him away from his drug problems. AM listened to every word his friend said and went to rehab.

Other than his drug abuse, he also struggled with his weight. By age 20, DJ AM reached 300 pounds. After vowing to free himself of drugs, he underwent gastric bypass surgery and lost 115 pounds.

As sad as it is, reality has set in for many. The life of Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein was treasured and lost way too quickly. AM worked with a lot of big name artists, but it seems that he has flown under the radars of Bradford students. Not many of the interviewees knew of DJ AM.

Rest In Peace DJ AM

Beloved Son, Friend, DJ, and Hero

by Rob Espinosa