CHRIS McKOY

A very lovely DJ, who died at the end of 2003, and whose contribution to his art is still missed to this day.

I got to know Chris as I get to know most DJs, through his music. As my intake of London clubs increased, so too did the times when Chris would be playing, and I'd be glued to the dancefloor during his set. With Factory and Factor 25 becoming my second homes in London, Chris with his unique style would be the saviour of many nights out, and I got to see first hand how much he enjoyed what he did.

Even when Chris wasn't DJing, he'd routinely be out clubbing with his friends, enjoying the music, dancing, not taking himself too seriously, and generally making his presence felt. I always kept myself to myself when out clubbing, I'd be dancing till the last record, watch other people getting trashed, and head off home. Running a friend home one night, we drove past what looked like Chris 'doing a Patsy' out of a car in Streatham High Road, so next time I saw him online on Gaydar I had to ask if it was him. It was, and that was how we 'met'.

We'd continue to chat after that, and it was generally about clubs and DJs and the state of the gay club scene in London... and also his plans for the future. The last time we chatted was after we'd both been down to Fruit Machine one night, and he made me promise to say hello to him in person next time I saw him out, which would probably be after his Los Angeles debut for Trade on New Year's Eve. He was both nervous and excited about the gig, and also in no doubt that he was the best DJ they'd ever have heard! A couple of days before the gig, he died in a stupid accident in Amsterdam, and a lot of people lost a very good friend that night. I lost someone with whom I enjoyed late-night online chats.

The downside for every DJ in London and Ibiza since that day is unfortunately that I'm no longer so backward about talking to the people I admire most on the club scene, the DJs. I called the good ones DJ Gods, because I'm so in awe of their talent, but the truth is I admire anyone who has the guts to get up in front of hundreds of people and perform that kind of magic.

So, I'm going to dedicate Chris's page to every DJ who's had to face criticism from people like me who really don't know what they're talking about. Chris always knew he was the best, and I think that was probably why he would have been.

Martin
xx