Italian DJ and produced Robert Miles, who scored a massive hit single with 1995’s ‘Children’ has died at the age of 47, in Ibiza.
No cause of death has been given, but media are stating it came as a result of a previous condition.
‘Children’ has an interesting genesis: Miles was inspired to write a calm, dream-like dance track for the end of his set, after a surge of driving-related deaths in Italy at the time were pinned on the rise of raves.
In the early ’90s, rave culture was booming in Italy, and clubbers were frequently driving long distances home in the early hours of the morning after a night of drug and alcohol use, coupled with strenuous dancing. These epic roadtrips resulted in numerous deaths from drivers falling asleep at the wheel; the drugs and adrenaline falsely convincing them that staying awake would not be a problem.
The phenomenon was dubbed strage del sabato sera (Saturday night slaughter), and between 1990 and mid ’96, deaths from these moonlit drives were estimated at over 2,000. Miles aimed to introduce a more serene end to the evenings as a way to settle down these punters hyped up by chemicals and repetitive thumping dance music. Of course, ‘Children’ reached a much wider audience than those at his club show, selling over five million copies worldwide.
DJ Mag Italia quotes producer Joe T. Vannelli, who said: “The tragic news of the death of a very talented artist of our time, makes me incredulous and upset.”
“With him also it is a part of my life as an artist manufacturer. I will miss the fights, brawls, criticism, judgements but especially your talent in finding sounds and melodies unparalleled.”
