DJ Ajax dies
Police have confirmed a pedestrian was killed when he was struck by a truck in Parkville in Melbourne's inner North last night.
"It's believed the man ran in front of the north-bound truck on College Crescent shortly before 1am. He died at the scene," a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.
One of Australia’s most celebrated DJs, Ajax was named 3D World DJ of the Year three times. Since 2005 he has been in the top 5 Australian DJs every year in the inthemix 50 poll, taking the top spot in 2006 and 2007.
Ajax was a constant presence on the summer festival circuit, appearing at major events like Parklife, Big Day Out and Stereosonic.
Among the first to break the news were Ajax’s former employers, Sydney’s Chinese Laundry nightclub. "Absolutely heart breaking news about one of our long time former resident Dj's AJAX," they wrote on their Facebook page. "Ajax was resident at Chinese Laundry for over 7 years and was a great friend to everyone here & an amazing DJ that was always a crowd favourite. You will be sorely missed by everyone who knew you and everyone at Chinese Laundry. RIP Buddy".
Ajax was a founding member of the legendary Bang Gang crew who hold key place in the Australian electro dance music scene.
Duncan MacLennan produced the song We No Speak Americano, which has registered almost 9 million YouTube views, on Ajax’s Sweat It Out record label.
He told Fairfax "Jaxxy was the spark that flipped Australian dance music on its head in the mid noughties … The Bang Gang crew... attained a cult status previously unseen by a group of DJs."
Fellow Bang Gang crew DJ and publican James Wirth is also currently mourning the loss of his business partner James Miller who died aged 38 in January.
Others also joined the chorus of praise for the musician "RIP to Ajax, my thoughts are with all the Australian homies, I can't believe this. Such a warm and generous dude, a real leader," tweeted US DJ A-Trak.
