December 24, 2024
Ibiza mourns the passing of Alfredo Joaquin Fiorito, affectionately known as DJ Alfredo, a pioneer of the island’s legendary electronic music scene. Born in Rosario, Argentina, in 1953, Alfredo passed away on December 24th at the age of 71, leaving behind an indelible legacy as the creator of the iconic Balearic Beat.
In the mid-1980s, Alfredo began crafting a genre-defying sound that fused European pop, Italian disco, rhythm and blues, psychedelic rock, and global influences. He arrived in Ibiza in 1975 as a clothing designer, but his love for music led him to DJing, where his eclectic style captivated audiences. His sets offered a seamless blend of chill-out, lounge, and dance music, defying categories and uniting listeners in pure joy.
Keep your mind open. Keep your record collection as well, as the music changes with the times…and lastly, beware of excess !
DJ Alfredo
Credited by Paul Oakenfold as the creator of Balearic Beat, Alfredo’s groundbreaking sessions at Amnesia Ibiza from 1984 introduced the world to house music and elevated the club into a temple of sound. Mixing tracks like Bob Marley with Tears for Fears and Donna Summer’s “Love To Love You Baby” with Depeche Mode, Alfredo’s innovative approach transformed Ibiza into a global electronic music mecca.
Watch Danny Rampling short interview below, explaining why he think Alfredo was deserving the title of "Greatest DJ Of All Time" in 2014.
More than just music, Alfredo championed a philosophy of unity and freedom. His sounds brought people together, establishing Ibiza as a cultural hub for music lovers worldwide. Though he has left us, Alfredo’s spirit endures in every sunrise and on every dancefloor, a timeless reminder of the magic of the Balearic Beat.
Dear Alfredo,
Thank you for the nights and beats we shared together.
Your music and vision shaped the sound of Balearic Beat and the soul of Amnesia.
So many memories were made through your energy, your legacy will live on our dancefloor forever.
You will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Alfredo.
The Amnesia Family
On a more deeply personal note, I count myself fortunate to have discovered Alfredo during my first trip to Ibiza in 2005. By then, he was already a legend on the island. I had the incredible privilege of dancing to his set at the Manumission Carry On afterparty on the iconic Space Ibiza terrace. Alfredo was the very first DJ I encountered in Ibiza, a memory etched in my heart forever.
As an aspiring DJ, I remember standing close to him as he seamlessly mixed vinyl records, a cigarette in hand, exuding a presence that commanded the dancefloor with effortless serenity. Alfredo embodied everything I cherish about electronic music—a profound love for the craft, an innate generosity in sharing it, and a simplicity that was nothing short of magnetic.
I can still see his wide, infectious smile and the playful glint in his eye as he dropped a new track—pressed on a white label, likely unreleased at the time—that sent the Space terrace into euphoric delight. That was Alfredo: a humble servant of the dancefloor, radiating joy in making others happy. For me, he embodied the essence of a true DJ—humble, kind, and deeply connected to the crowd.
Like so many others touched by his magic, I will strive to honor his legacy by carrying forward the attitude and culture he represented. Alfredo’s memory lives on, not just in the music, but in the spirit of sharing with kindness.
Rest easy, maestro.
