A community effort to raise funds for the funeral of highly influential New York disco DJ Tony Smith has been launched.
The news that Smith tragically passed away came earlier this week, though no official cause or time of death has been disclosed. Fans and fellow industry figures took to social media and the internet to pay their respects and start a fundraiser to assist with funeral costs for Smith’s family. The GoFundMe page has already reached over $20,000 of its $25,000 goal in the last three days, with 169 donors at the time of writing.
Smith’s legacy includes a nearly 50-year career that saw him become a legend in New York’s disco scene in the ’70s and ’80s. By 1976, Billboard had named him one of America’s finest DJs, and his storied career saw Smith hold residencies at the Barefoot Boy, Studio 54, Fire Island, Ice Palace 57, Xenon, and Fun House. His productions include a beloved remix of Bambu‘s 1979 hit “I Don’t Wanna Lose It,” and more recently, a remix of Kimberly Davis‘ “My Fire.”
Smith’s peers, including Francois K, Danny Krivit, and Nicky Siano, have all publicly paid tribute to the late DJ and producer.
