R.I.P. Mr. Magic

From AllHipHop:

Legendary DJ Mr. Magic has died from a heart attack, AllHipHop.com has confirmed with various sources. Mr. Magic was a legendary DJ who debuted in 1979 on a pay-to-play broadcast on WHBI 105.9’s "The Mr. Magic Disco Showcase." In 1983, he launched "Mr. Magic's Rap Attack" in New York City with a young DJ Marley Marl in addition to future Co-Chillin Record label owner Tyrone “Fly Ty” Williams. Mr. Magic, born John Rivas, was also a co-founder of the legendary Hip-Hop collective The Juice Crew, which featured Biz Markie, Roxanne Shante, Marley, Marl, MC Shan, Craig G., Kool G. Rap and Masta Ace. Mr. Magic’s radio show influenced countless of artists, ranging from rappers like Tupac Shakur, KRS-One, Biggie Smalls, Nas, Eric B. and Rakim and countless others. Mr. Magic was featured as a DJ on 2002’s Grand Theft Auto’s fictitious radio station Wildstyle Pirate Radio.

A statement from DJ Premier:

I WANT TO SEND OUT THE UTMOST RESPECT AND CONDOLENCES TO THE MEMORY OF JOHN RIVAS—-aka MR. MAGIC
HE PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING OF A HEART ATTACK…..
TRUE HIP HOP HEADS KNOW THAT HIS HISTORY IS SO LONG DUE TO HIM BEING THE FIRST RAP MIXSHOW TO EVER BE ON COMMERCIAL RADIO ON NEW YORK’S WBLS–(107.5) WITH MARLEY MARL AND FLY TY IN 1982-1984…….THEN WENT ON TO WHBI IN OCTOBER OF 1984 AND THEN BACK TO WBLS in 1985 and WDAS in Philly SIMULTANEOUSLY
HE PAVED THE WAY FOR ALL RADIO STATIONS THAT EVER DID MIXSHOWS AND ALSO SPARKED THE CAREER OF BOOGIE DOWN PRODUCTIONS DUE TO THE DISS HE SHOWED WHEN THEY CAME TO SHOP THEIR DEMO TO HIM AND WAS TURNED AWAY WHICH THEN SPARKED “SOUTH BRONX” AND “THE BRIDGE IS OVER”…….
HE WAS KNOWN FOR HIS DIRECT AND SARCASTIC ATTITUDE ON THE AIR AND EVERY ARTIST WANTED HIS APPROVAL WHEN IT CAME TO BREAKING NEW RECORDS……..HE EVEN HAD SONGS DEDICATED TO HIM BY THE LEGENDARY WHODINI–(”MR. MAGIC’S WAND”) WHICH WAS SURPRISINGLY PRODUCED BY ONE OF MY FAVORITE ARTISTS THOMAS DOLBY…….
SHOUTS OUT TO MARLEY MARL AND FLY TY FOR THE CORRECT INFORMATION ON THIS……
REST IN PEACE MR. MAGIC………….DJ PREMIER

Mr. Cee's Mr. Magic Tribute Mix On Hot 97