Stephen "Bam Bam" Santoro – A Legacy Of Dance Music

(click for larger photo)

Stephen "Bam Bam" Santoro was a dreamer like no other. A kind, generous and uniquely talented person known to many in the Salt Lake Club scene and beyond. Today we learned of his unfortunate death last night in his hometown of San Diego, CA.

"Bam" reached out to me and so many other young DJ's who were coming onto the scene back in the day, giving us love, friendship and experiences that would change our lives forever. Countless others have been touched by his spiritual energy and music legacy behind the decks. This man single-handedly guided some of the best House music talent from around the world through Salt Lake when we were still just a blip on the map. In the process he opened our minds to our higher selves, expanded our understanding of humanity, our community and most importantly our appreciation for music of every kind. I will always remember him as a dear friend, mentor and as one of the true pinnacles of dance music.

Over the past year I had the honor of playing music together with Stephen again on several occasions. In remembrance I have re-posted this live recording of him at the W. Lounge last Memorial Day 2009. Rest in Peace my soul brother...

Download or Stream PART 1
Download or Stream PART 2

Also, visit his newly created public Facebook page.
Memorial information should be there soon.

Comments

[Dan Morris]

Such a great person. A mentor to me as well. I remember when Ron and I took our very first track, "Lean," to his home studio. We were so unsure about it. Bam loved it and his enthusiasm and support convinced us to send it off to labels; it was subsequently signed. He would regularly play our tracks during his sets and was always supportive of everything Ron and I produced. My memories of Saturday nights at Bricks are still some of my fondest. His infectious energy will be forever missed. Rest in peace my brother...

[Stephanie]

Jesse, we are going to be getting together at Johnny's tonight to remember him and play some old school house and disco including tracks that Steve turned many of us onto at Bricks we would love for you to come down and join us.

[gina paoli]

the black and white photo above is one i took back in 1992. he is with our friend andie who is also not with us. she was my best friend and bam was like a brother back in the day. i am at a loss and my heart is empty.

rest in power my friends i love you both! <3

[Heather Hamilton]

I don't know what to say except that Bam was a dear friend who I knew for a long time and shared interesting times with, Bricks, our 1st trip to Ibeza, dinners with Scott Quick and Christina...my heart is very sad today.

[Michael Westley]

There are but a handful of people in life that reach inside and settle so fully, so quickly. I think Bam did that for most people he met -- filled them up. So many thoughts and memories but for now, peace, brother.

[benjam]

The links above are broken. Would love to hear this set.

[DJ Sergio Hernandez Jr.]

One of the first persons I met when I touched down in SLC from Chitown was Steve, who turned me on to one of the liveliest underground scenes I've ever experienced and invited me to help contribute to it by letting me play at Bricks with him a couple of times. He introduced me to many of the wonderful people who make up the SLC underground scene and for that I will always be thankful to him. He was someone who truly exemplified the soulful and spiritual energy of house music. May he rest in peace. Keep beatin' that box in sky, brother.

[Jese Walker]

something must have busted. I'll fix it and repost tomorrow. Sorry guys!

[Ron Levy]

So saddened by the loss of Stephen. As Dan mentioned he was one of my mentors and opened his home and studio to us both to share in the joy that was House Music. I will never forget the night Dan and I went to his studio. He asked if it was my first time over and told me "no one leaves for the first time without a record." He pointed at his enormous collection and said "pick one". I was dumbfounded. Bam was one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever known. He is without a doubt one of the main reasons I fell in love with the music, and will hold a special place in my heart forever. I love you Bam.

[Eric Hamilton]

It was always a pleasure to hear Bam Bam play. I will miss him. I have some great photos of him in my archive. I will try to dig some out to share with his friends and family.

[Andy Callaway]

I cannot express the sadness and grief in losing a true brother and amazing friend of over 15 years...from the minute he moved Utah in the early 1990s to the all-day search for the best slice of pizza in NYC after Ibiza on 9/11! God speed my brother! I will love you forever! You meant more than words can describe here and I am so grateful for the memories we shared together!

Thank you Jesse for sharing this page in his memory. Much love!

[Matt Hensley]

Bam Bam's music taugh me how to dance and really express myself when I came out of the closet..he was such a huge part of a pivital point in my life. From the many nights in Utah to the apartment we shared in LA my memories of him are strong and wonderful, I came home tonight to see the place setting from his wedding that I have had out in my living room for 13 years to celebrate our friendship. I didn't realize how much you meant to mean until you were gone. You will me missed.

[Jeremy Houskeeper]

Steven (BAM) and I worked together for roughly five years at Bricks, he ran the tables and I ran the lights. I will miss him, and he will miss you.
Bam loved those who came to listen to him. He lived by your breath and cheers. After the club he lived by giving hugs sharing deep thoughts and always lending his mind to a spiritual side of the music, which I believe he saw as a metaphor for life.
He truly loved to celebrate life and he helped many of us do the same. I am taken back by the loss but I am comforted by the part of me that would not exist had it not been for Bam and gift that he gave to me and I believe many of you.
He had many gifts and was very talented this will be shared time and time again in the days to come. To me what is comforting is that he also was and is a good friend who will be embraced again.

God bless him, his Family and his friends and I pray that we may all find peace and grow stronger each day as he would have wanted.

[Keonestevans]

I met Stephen in 1994 while living in Park City at a pivotal junction in my life. He was one of the first people to turn me on to House Music when I had no conception of what it was. Years later when I returned to SLC and began DJing I saw him playing at Brick's, a tastemaker whose presence behind the decks made him an inspiration to me early on. He was one of my favorite people, and I will always cherish the times we shared.

[Stacy]

Stephen will be greatly missed. He was a great friend to me, and was there for me in my time of need with a helping hand and always that smile. He will be missed. Thank you for posting this. Rest in peace Bam Bam.

[Mr. Jesse Walker]

Ok ya'll, THE LINKS ARE FIXED! Stream or Download the set in two parts above... enjoy it!

[Katie]

Stephen - I will never forget our times together especially this last summer. I learned so much music history your role in it all and seeing your passion for house music. Your music defiantly moves the heart and soul. I will never forget you.

[Mark Hofeling]

Oh man. i first met Stephen when Alan Welch brought him and 20 of his closest friends over to a quiet little party at my house late one night, and our lives took off from there. What a beaming, loving, generous and timeless boy he was. His million kilowatt smile could warm the hardest heart, and he bestowed it on everybody. Last night I remembered how after Jesse and I had spent our first secret night together, Bam pounded on my bedroom early in the morning to ask if I wanted to go hit balls at the driving range and drink beer. Hilarious. I declined. I will miss him dearly, the world is a poorer place without him. I love you Bam.

[Wil Bown]

Wow, that is heart-wrenchingly sad. He really was one of the few great people I have known.

[Bill Osborne]

I never meet him formally but I spent many a Thursday night in the mid nineties at Bricks(The Rhythm Kitchen). His music selection and the way he put it together compelled us all to dance and thus connect with each other in a very special way. He and his music are the background for many special memories of mine. I am sad to hear of his passing but am glad to hear of how he inspired and mentored some of Salt Lakes newer House DJ's To move crowds and keep people connecting through dance. I know that this will be corny but I know because of this his presence will always be on a Salt Lake dance floor and that's the way I will remember him

Namaste "Bam Bam"

[dj nexis]

Steve was the 1st to give me a shot 17 or so years ago @ club Bricks in Salt Lake City Utah...He will definately be missed..

[Scott Burk]

Like so many others, he also inspired and touched my life. I think it's fair to say that after hearing Steve throw down a set on Sat at Bricks, it'll make anybody want to be a part of something so pure. If you were one of those fortunate people to taste the high voltage energy from one of Steve's set's at Bricks on Saturday, it undoubtedly changed your life forever! After finding my love of house through Steve's sets, I purchased my own set of turntables, and next thing I knew I was working at Bricks just to and was lucky enough to feel the power of his sets every week. Steve was infectious, and House was his delivery tool for his undeniable high spiritual energy.

You are missed brother

[Cory Sherman]

Stephen "BAM BAM" Santoro...Nobody could set the mood of a crowd the way you did. You would bring the clubs this amazing excitement and energy, never felt before... full of life at the highest level. As soon as you hit the decks and raised the roof, EVERYONE would swarm the dancefoor & boogie down to your one of a kind "Brooklyn 1988" style mixing skills; keeping the club going all night long.
I look back- going to your apt with Jon-when Jed was still here- and laughing all night, listening to u three tell old stories of the good old days, and you telling me and Jon about all the places you have mixed and lived. Next thing u know it, we're all sitting at Jed's viewing, on that "eerie rainy night"(R.I.P Jed).
Even though I never heard you at bricks, I'm very luck to have been so priviledged to see you play live at both Vortex and The W Lounge. I listened to the knowledge that you had to teach, not just about music but life; and learned to love all things on earth, 'cuz you felt everything and felt everyone in this world was beautiful. I have never meet ANYONE sooo full of LIFE n LOVE as you Dj Bam Bam; except for my sister who I also recently lost.
Similarly, she struggled with depression. But she also had problems with drug addiction, and mental disease, and O.D.'d last 4th of July..(R.I.P. sista melissa)
You both saw the beauty in all of God's creatures and creations no matter what they were and I'll never forget that.
You are the one who made Bricks what it is now. I want to thank you for being such a wonderful, compassionate, smart, talented, generous, caring, amazing, handsome, respectful and fun loving person, friend, and brother not only to me but countless others in this world who's lives you have touched. You always kept it real. 'Till we meet up again, up there in heaven- tell Jed & my sis i said whtup and I LOVE ALL 3 OF YA WITH ALL MY HEART!!...... Much Love Ur Bro Cory.

[Aaron Cole]

We have lost a talented individual with a warm soul. Such amazing memories and musical influence. Thanks for putting up this post...

[Nancy & Carm Santoro]

Thank you so much for all of the beautiful tributes to our amazing son, Stephen. We love him so much and miss him terribly. To know that he has touched so many lives outside our family is truly a huge blessing. He left this planet way too soon!! With love and hugs to all who loved him and knew him as such a beautiful soul.

[aldren chapo]

Wow! Happy Birthday my friend/Brother- Stephen Santoro. Its hard to still think and feel that you are no longer with us. I feel very privileged to know that I was one of many close friends. I miss your presence! I clearly remember the night we met and I'm truly honored to be part of many occasions after the night we became friends. Thank you for sharing your talents; mainly music. But, I know you are a great chef! Great listener, great friend, great teacher and offered great friendship. To/so many and yet at the same time I wish there was more stories to share. I am greatful and forever blessed to have a friend like you! I love you and I miss you!