According to reports on social media, legendary Philadelphia DJ Reenie Kane has died. Kane, a mainstay in the scene’s gay and nightlife communities and a Billboard Dance Music Reporter, suffered a major heart attack following her DJ set at Philly’s Annual Indigo Ball Fundraiser on October 9. Subsequent tests by doctors at Methodist Hospital revealed she was suffering from pneumonia. Her condition was complicated by an ongoing diabetes condition she had been battling the past few years. Kane, who began her DJ career in 1974 and played everything from disco to house, was transferred to Jefferson Hospital ICU and underwent a series of operations. On November 16 a benefit for Kane was held at Voyeur nightclub to help her cover medical expenses which her insurance wouldn’t pay for.
“I like to spin anything that moves my body and touches my soul. I like a challenge when it comes to mixing,” Kane said in a 2009 interview. “The classics are always a treat for me. I call it the ‘live musician effect.’ The human touch is so stimulating to me. The beat of the music fluctuates, making it interesting. Now, with all of the technology involved, there is no fluctuation. The beat never goes off BPMs. I’ll take the human over machine any day.”
More as this story develops.