Tribute: Rob Fernandez

One week ago, longstanding NYC promoter Rob Fernandez passed away. Here Mixmag and a number key artists and industry figures who called him a friend pay tribute

The dance music community was rocked last Friday upon learning of the sudden passing of New York-based promoter Rob Fernandez. Since the East Coast's house music heyday in the early-90s, Fernandez had been an integral figure in maintaining New York's status as a dance music hub – and his countless legendary parties in the city's clubs and warehouses have left an immeasurable imprint.

Born and raised in New York City, Fernandez got his start in the early 90s working as a doorman in the Manhattan club Tracks.

"All the big DJs would go there," Rob explained in an interview posted by Chus + Ceballos on Facebook following his untimely death. "Tony Humphries, Frankie Knuckles, Larry Levan would all come to this club. It was great for me as a teenage kid to see the DJs I looked up to. That's what's great about New York."

Fernandez quickly made the transition into promoting after throwing a hugely popular birthday party in a Manhattan loft. Phil Smith, then-owner of Sound Factory Bar and later Twilo, was in attendance and invited Fernandez to start promoting a weekly party called Gag every Tuesday at the club, which boasted New York house DJs Erick Morillo and Danny Tenaglia as residents.

For the next two decades the consummate clubber threw events in all of the city's major nightclubs and spaces. The immediate success of his Tuesday nights at Sound Factory, as well as Morillo's weekly Subliminal Sessions at Champ (and then Centro-Fly) and Asseteria, lead to him launching his own events companies Rob Promotions and RPM Presents – responsible for the enduring Dance.Here.Now parties at Cielo, which he threw with fellow promoter Benny Soto.

Rob will perhaps be best remembered for his position as Director of Promotions and Bookings at Pacha NYC. Over the years he spent there he formed a formidable partnership with longtime club owner and friend Eddie Dean. Along with former Pacha Ibiza resident Erick Morillo, they brought the nightlife franchise to the United States, and helped to keep New York's long tradition for dancefloor-focused superclubs alive.

"Rob was the face of NYC dance music for last two decades," notes Dean. "He was instrumental in so many artists' careers. He promoted every relevant club in NYC at one time or another. He gave more opportunities to local up-and-coming artists than anyone else. He just helped everyone he could. He was the ambassador of dance music in NYC."

While his long and storied CV was among the most reputable in the industry, Rob's playful, generous character has been cited again and again in the many tributes that poured in for him.

He's remembered by many as a perpetually grinning, baseball-capped presence on the city's dancefloors, and close friends describe a man with a zealous passion in helping those that shared his unwavering love for the scene.

"Rob knew his customers better then anyone," recalls Jen Schiffer, owner of Brooklyn club Verboten and former colleague of Fernandez. "Our immensely successful friend later became an honest and friendly competitor, which is a rare and cherished thing in nightlife. Rob was the embodiment of hustle, and the true spirit of this city."

"It's not work to me," said a jovial, childlike Fernandez in a recent interview. "I love it. In my mind I don't think I have a job. And I think that's the best kind of job."

Rob Fernandez died from heart-related causes on the morning of July 11, 2015. He is survived by his son Rian, mother Sharon, sisters Kim and Laurie, and mother to Rian, Viviana.

In lieu of flowers, the family has designated the Rian Fernandez Education Fund for memorial contributions

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Rob helped the careers of so many DJs, many of them bonafide superstars. Here are some of their tributes from social media:

"He was the king of New York. Rob's love, dedication and work will be forever remember." - Seth Troxler

"I speak for a lot of DJs when I say New York night life would not be what it is today if it was not for Rob Fernandez. Rob you will be missed, and NYC will never be the same without you." - Erick Morillo

"Such a genuine and amazing person....beyond speechless right now......Love you bro." - The Martinez Brothers

"His encouragement and complete belief in us, as artists and as friends is something we are thankful for and will treasure forever and always." - Chus & Ceballos

"Rest in peace my friend. You are loved and will be missed." - Kerri Chandler

"We lost an amazing person who changed the shape of NYC dance scene." - Gina Turner

"God be with you Rob! May he comfort you, guide you and show you how much so many of us down here appreciated your humor, devotion and passion to nightlife." - Danny Tenaglia