Longtime LGBT DJ Terez Elmore, known to many simply as "DJ Stoney," passed away last week. He was 41.
Stoney's was found in Hyde Park apartment Nov. 9, according to his close friend, Calvin Garner.
A native Chicagoan, Stoney fell in love with vinyl at a young age, just before he entered high school in 1984. His mother was a music promoter, and growing up on the South Side, Stoney found a community around house music and disco. He spent his high schools years developing his own sound, and soon began playing gigs around the city.
"Music was in his blood," said Stoney's close friend Chico Venable (DJ Khiko). "He loved music, and he loved making people dance."
Intensely private and serious about his work, Stoney allowed few people into his inner-circle, Venable said. Still, friends recalled his compassion, wit and big heart.
"He was very sassy," said Garner. "He was very funny. He was a sweetheart, too."
He spun his first gig in the LGBT community in 1996 at Numbers (now the site of Jackhammer).
Over the years, Stoney established himself as a staple in Chicago's LGBT club scene, spinning at Circuit Nightclub, Club Escape, Crush, Jeffrey Pub, Cotton Club and Spin, among others.
"He brought hip-hop to Halsted," Venable said, remembering how Stoney created spaces for hip-hop in Boystown at his parties at Spin Nightclub.
Venable said that he and Stoney had a great time spinning this summer before his passing.
Arrangements have not yet been made.