Playdar: The Late DJ Peter Rauhofer’s 6 Fiercest Diva Remixes

We celebrate the life of the late gay-dancefloor legend with a handful of our favorite diva redos.

By Patrick DeMarco· 5/10/2013, 2:39 p.m.

This week, the nightlife world lost a legend when producer and DJ Peter Rauhofer succumbed to his battle with brain cancer at the way-too-young age of 48.

I was saddened to hear the news, as I’ve been a fan of his since his early performing in Club 69 and Size Queen. His remixes are breathtaking, they provide stomping beats, with just a touch of tribal house. Throughout the years, Rauhofer spun his music in many nightclubs, and had his own gay dance party at the Roxy, in New York, until the doors were closed in 2007. He also hosted “Work,” another gay shindig at Club Stereo. Janet, Madonna and Kylie are just a few of the many divas whose songs he remixed into dancefloor powerhouses— sometimes even making hits out of some of their most obscure tracks. One of his most famous diva reworks came in ’99 when he remixed Cher’s comeback classic, “Believe.” This is the song that put him on the map — and it won him a Grammy in 2000 for Best Remixer of the Year.

Even though he has passed, his music will always be a part of my playlist — and will undoubtedly continue to pack dancefloors in gay bars across the country. I had quite the challenge this week, picking out a few of my favorite songs from his impressive body of work. Here are some handpicked remixes that showcase his style and unique production — ones that, I believe, represent his amazing, irreplaceable mark on the gay-club world.

1. “Believe (Peter Rauhofer Mix)” by Cher