Esteemed artist manager and former DJ Mag sales manager, Michael Theanne, has died

Michael Theanne, a sales manager for DJ Mag for most of the noughties, has sadly passed away. He was 45.

Michael was reportedly returning home from a hike with his dogs near his LA home when he collapsed. A coroner’s report is pending. He is survived by his wife and young child.

Affectionately known as Mickey T in the industry, Michael started work as Sales Manager for DJ Mag in 2000, working for the company for most of the noughties. 

A larger-than-life character, he was DJ Mag’s Man In Ibiza for a number of seasons. “With his ability to speak Spanish, he took charge of our seasonal Ibiza magazines so spent a lot of the summers over there,” remembers DJ Mag’s Commercial Director Heath Holmes. 

“Michael travelled the world representing the magazine and was responsible for the first of DJ Mag’s license deals, which saw the magazine published in Brazil in 2007. As one of the scene’s real characters he will be sadly missed. There was never a dull moment when Mickey T was about!”

As the noughties progressed, Michael became increasingly involved with the blooming electro-house scene, and hung out with assorted international artists such as Junior Sanchez and Armand Van Helden.

He left DJ Mag in 2008 to start his own music management company, Seminal Music, picking up an unknown DJ called Steve Aoki as one of his first clients. He played a major part in transforming Aoki into an international superstar, and also managed French DJ/producer and David Guetta collaborator Joachim Garraud, as well as US DJ/producer Deorro and EDM trio Cheat Codes.

“We had so much fun and nothing can be stronger than building a success together,” said Garraud in a tribute posted on his Instagram.

“Thank you for everything, thank you for being my manager, my brother, thank you for believing in me and everything we wanted to do,” said Deorro in a statement.

Other DJs such as the UK’s Paul Woolford and Yousef also paid tribute to Michael. 

"Michael’s incredibly warm, loving and generous spirit impacted all around him," his family said in a statement. "We know that many of you will join us as we continue to carry Michael in our hearts forever. At this time, our family asks that we be allowed to process this devastating and sudden loss in private. Information regarding a funeral and memorial will be forthcoming.”

DJ Mag sends best wishes to all Michael’s friends and family at this tragic time.