Influential Australian DJ and broadcaster Andy Glitre dies, aged 64

Australian dance music pioneer and broadcaster Andy Glitre has passed away.

The British-born, Sydney-based DJ and presenter was renowned for pushing funk, soul and dance music to Australian audiences in the ’80s and ’90s, hosting triple j’s The Groove Train from its inception until 1995.

Glitre was a fixture on the early Australian dance circuit, hosting Sydney’s RESPECT Club Night at The Freezer (later Goodbar) and manning the decks for a number of the city’s iconic RAT parties.

Following his tenure with triple j, Glitre took on a presenter position with Melbourne’s Kiss FM and quickly became revered as a clubbing icon among local listeners.

Glitre also performed with the likes of Massive Attack, Jamiroquai and Spearhead, and curated a number of compilation releases such as the 1997 Catwalk Collection CD, Kiss FM’s Kiss In The Cafes, The Rhythm Method 001 and the Bondi Calling mix-up series.

In a statement to Double J, former triple j executive producer Craig Donarski said that Glitre was “unbelievably passionate about the music he loved”, celebrating his role in establishing an early national identity for Australia’s then-fledgling dance community.

“He loved movers and groovers from all around the world, at a time when that wasn’t even a vaguely fashionable thing,” Donarski told Double J.

“He didn’t care, he just loved what he considered great music.”

Paying tribute to Glitre on social media, Kiss FM referred to Glitre as an “Australian DJ legend”.

“Andy Glitre – an innovator, a music lover, an inspiration to many and a dear friend and formative influence at Kiss FM over many years.

“Fly high Andy Glitre. We love you.”

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