Last Tuesday, Christmas Eve, Ibiza woke up to tragic news: Alfredo Fiorito, known worldwide as “DJ Alfredo Fiorito“, was killed. DJ Alfredo and father of the Balearic beat sound of electronic music, passed away on the island at the age of 71. The news shocked the local community and the music world.
As reported by the newspaper Crónica Balear, it was revealed that the cause of his death was a choking while dining at the Bon Lloc restaurant. This event has generated a deep impact, especially among electronic music lovers, who consider Alfredo a legend and a pioneer.
From Rosario to Ibiza: the creator of Balearic Beat
Born on April 20, 1953 in Rosario, Argentina, Alfredo Fiorito arrived in Ibiza in 1976 fleeing the military dictatorship in his country. Before settling on the island, he had worked as a journalist and concert promoter. However, it was in Ibiza where he discovered his true vocation: music. In his first years on the island, DJ Alfredo had several jobs, from making candles to designing clothes. His foray into music began in 1982, when he started playing records at the Be Bop bar near the port. His style, which mixed rock, funk, soul, Latin rhythms and the first sounds of house, soon made him a reference in the Ibizan nightlife scene. His big break came in 1983, when he became resident DJ at Amnesia. There he developed the “Balearic Beat”, a musical style that broke with the traditional norms of dance music and defined the characteristic sound of Ibiza in the 80s. His sets were sensory experiences that began in the wee hours of the morning and lasted until dawn, captivating a generation of young people around the world.
A timeless legacy in electronic music
DJ Alfredo’s influence transcended the borders of Ibiza. He inspired iconic figures such as Paul Oakenfold and marked the beginning of a movement that transformed dance music globally. In 1988, he was recognized as “DJ of the Decade” by DJ Mag. His impact was not limited to the island’s clubs, but reached the world’s biggest stages. In 2018, he returned to his native Argentina after two decades to perform at Niceto Club, bringing with him the essence of Balearic Beat. Together with his son, Jaime Fiorito, he founded the Dreamtiger label, exploring new ways of creating and sharing music. However, the last years of his life were marked by difficulties. In 2020, he suffered a stroke that affected his health and his finances, leading his family to organize solidarity campaigns to finance his treatment. In 2024, a new relapse aggravated his situation, culminating in his tragic death.
Amnesia’s farewell and its immortal legacy
After his death, Amnesia, the club where his career was consolidated, published an emotional message on social networks: “Dear Alfredo, thank you for the nights and the beats we shared together. Your music and vision have defined the sound of Balearic Beat and the soul of Amnesia. Your legacy will always live on in our dancefloor. We will not forget you. Rest in peace.” The electronic community deeply mourns the loss of one of its great pioneers. DJ Alfredo leaves a legacy that lives on in every dancefloor where his mixes echo. His story is not only that of a DJ, but of a man who found in music a universal language to connect and transform lives.
