The Dance World Reacts to Kavinsky’s Death: ‘The Funniest Person I’ve Ever Met’

The electronic world is reeling Wednesday (July 29) with the news of Kavinsky’s death. The French synthwave producer was found dead in his Paris home on the night of July 28, local time, with police reporting that the artist had been experiencing headaches and may have died from a stroke. An inquiry has been opened to determine the cause of death, with first responders finding nothing suspicious at the scene. He was 50 years old.

A synthwave pioneer, Kavinsky was a key member of the global swell of French Touch in the early and mid-2000s and into the 2010s. He became famous for 2010’s “Nightcall,” a synthwave masterpiece and staple of the era that gained global renown when it was used in the 2011 film Drive, starring Ryan Gosling and directed by Nicolas Winding Refn.

Now, the artist born Vincent Belorgey is being remembered by friends and associates.

“Just learned about Kavinsky’s passing,” David Guetta wrote on social media. “A true icon of French electronic music. Thank you for creating a sound that was entirely your own and for leaving us with music that will continue to inspire. Thank you for your kindness and simplicity. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and loved ones. Rest in peace.”

“Kavinsky was the funniest person I’ve ever met,” wrote A-Trak. “As I sit here processing the sadness of losing a dear friend, I think this is what he would want me to remember. The good times. There were many sides to Vinco. Of course there was the Kavinsky character, the zombie in the ‘Teddy’ varsity jacket, driving a Testarossa — whose music became more celebrated than ever in recent years since the French Olympics. But there was also a man who, in my case, joined the Fools Gold Records tour on the first year of the label, who had us in tears cracking up every time we saw him, who stayed at my apartment in Montreal back in the day, who had a nickname for everyone in the crew. The lore runs deep, a lot of stories will have to wait for another day but for now go watch the video for Mr. Oizo’s ‘Analog Worms Attack‘ to get a glimpse of Vincent the actor before he became a musician. Everyone who met him was marked by his charisma. RIP to the silver fox.”

Madeon wrote that “Yesterday I was going through my CD copy of OutRun, amazed by the vibrancy of his universe… I remember reading all the updates about him on French Touch Forum as a teen and how nervous I was when I finally got to meet him. A few months ago I played ‘Nightcall’ at Coachella as the sun set and I got chills sharing this unique moment with the crowd. It’s a generational record that our kids will discover as well. Sending love to his friends and family.”

Sebastian Tellier wrote, “You were one of a kind—hilarious and deeply moving. Your brilliant, masterful music will stay with me—and all of us—forever. We shared so much over the years: records, movies, music videos, fits of laughter, and endless nights out!!! I’m going to miss you terribly, my Vinco —as will the whole French Touch scene and our beloved Montmartre neighborhood. You were, and always will be, a legend!!!”

“My Vincent, the night truly called you back too soon,” wrote Jean-Michel Jarre. “I remember our late-night calls and the bond we shared, and I keep you close to me, my little brother-in-arms.”

Gaspard Auge of Justice simply wrote, “Goodbye mon cher ami.”