DJ AM

Adam Michael Goldstein, known to the world as DJ AM, was born on March 30, 1973, in Philadelphia. His passion for deejaying ignited at a young age after witnessing Herbie Hancock's iconic performance of "Rockit" in 1983. However, his journey was marred by struggles with addiction, which began in his teenage years. After a stint at the controversial rehabilitation center Straight, Incorporated, Goldstein's battle with drugs intensified, leading to a severe addiction to crack cocaine in his early twenties. A turning point came in 1997 when he attempted suicide, prompting a commitment to sobriety that would later inspire him to help others through Alcoholics Anonymous.

Goldstein's career took off in the vibrant club scene of Los Angeles, where he began deejaying and joined the band Crazy Town in 1999. After leaving the group in 2001, he focused on establishing himself as a solo DJ. His relationship with Nicole Richie in 2003 propelled his career to new heights, culminating in a lucrative contract worth one million dollars to perform weekly at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. He also commanded fees exceeding ten thousand dollars for private events, solidifying his status in the music industry.

In 2008, Goldstein partnered with Travis Barker to form the duo TRV$DJAM. Their lives were forever changed when they survived a tragic plane crash in South Carolina that claimed the lives of four others. Despite the harrowing experience, Goldstein continued to make his mark in entertainment, appearing as himself in various television series, contributing to the video game DJ Hero, and even filming a cameo for Iron Man 2.

In 2009, he hosted the MTV series Gone Too Far, which focused on drug intervention, although he was candid about his ongoing struggles with addiction during filming. Tragically, on August 28, 2009, Goldstein was found dead in his New York City apartment due to a drug overdose. In his memory, the DJ AM Memorial Fund was established by his sister to assist those battling addiction, and Iron Man 2 was dedicated to his legacy.