I produced Madonna’s first record, “Everybody”. I discovered her and brought her to Seymour Stein. At that time, I was working for Chris Blackwell at Island Records, but I was the DJ for the Talking Heads so I knew Seymour. I brought Madonna to see him, and he gave me a singles deal, and then we did it. That was probably her best record, the only one she made with a live drummer. – Mark Kamins on Madonna
Our friend Matthew at boyculture.com has reported that Mark Kamins, the DJ who discovered Madonna and produced Everybody, has passed away.
I have heard from a credible source that legendary Downtown DJ Mark Kamins, who is credited with discovering Madonna and who produced her first single (“Everybody”), has died of a heart attack. I will post more info as I receive it.
He summed up his connection to Madonna, who thanked him 25 years later when being inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, simply in 2011:
In 2011, Kamins said:
“Well, you know, I’m just a DJ—I started as a DJ from New York City. There was a girl dancing at my club. And her name was Madonna. Went to a recording studio and made a record. And the rest is history.”
A very sad day indeed. You can read Matthew’s full article here
Blackbookmag.com is also reporting the following :
The rumor mill has it that legendary DJ/producer Mark Kamins has passed. A massive coronary in Guadalajara, Mexico where he (pictured, last on the left) apparently was teaching was cited. He was having heart problems for a few months and about three days ago went to see a cardiologist. Yesterday he wasn’t feeling well and went to a hospital and passed away. Facebook, often the fastest bearer of good and bad news, has it being true. A number of close mutual friends are sadly confirming that this club/music legend has moved on. Mark was best known for helping sign a young Madonna to Seymour Steins’ Sire Records and producing her hit “Everybody.” That was back in 1982.
