Banner tribute to Faithless' Maxi Jazz unveiled by Crystal Palace supporters
Faithless members were in attendance to witness the hand-painted tribute to their late band mate
A huge, hand-painted tribute to late Faithless frontman Maxi Jazz was unveiled at the final Crystal Palace home game of the premier league season by supporters group Holmesdale Fanatics.
Maxi Jazz was a lifelong fan and former associate director of the South London football club, as well as a popular figure among the fanbase for both his support of the club and musical achievements.
The impressive tribute was unveiled in front of the Holmesdale Road Stand of Crystal Palace’s stadium Selhurst Park, as the players took to the pitch for their final game of the season against Nottingham Forest with Faithless’ ‘God Is A DJ’ blasting through the ground’s soundsystem.
The official Crystal Palace Twitter account shared footage, alongside the track’s lyrics: “This is our church, this is where we heal our hurts.”
Speaking to Mixmag, Adam Hepburn of the Holmesdale Fanatics said: “Maxi was a huge Palace fan and part of our football club; a local legend and inspiration - summing up everything that our South London community is all about.
“During the Palace's tougher financial times, Maxi played benefit gigs with all proceeds going towards the club.
“He had talked to us about DJing the Holmesdale stand's concourse before a game which would have been epic.
“We wanted to honour him and will keep his spirit alive.”
All members of Faithless were in attendance. Sister Bliss shared a clip on social media, writing: “An incredible tribute to Maxi @cpfc today. So moved by the love & care … thanks to all that made this happen. Not a dry eye in the house !”
Earlier this year, a large mural paying tribute to Maxi Jazz was also painted onto the Holmesdale Road Stand, created as a collaboration with MurWalls, a collective of licensed British Street Artists.
At the time, Steve Parish, the club’s Chairman said: “Maxi was a great man and a wonderful friend, who loved Palace with all his heart.”
News of Maxi Jazz’s passing broke on December 24 last year, with Faithless paying tribute to the “beautiful person, moral compass and genius”.
Maxi was a founding member of the group alongside Rollo, Sister Bliss and Jamie Catto in 1995. They were revered for their transcendent beats, thought-provoking political messages, and charismatic stage presence, including becoming one of the few electronic acts to perform on Glastonbury’s Pyramid stage with a legendary 2002 sunset slot which attracted close to 100,000 people.
Read Annabel Ross’ tribute to Maxi Jazz - The sacred voice of Faithless who made dancefloors transcendent - here.
Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Editor & Digital Director, follow him on Twitter