Alfred Spellman, Moe Garcia, Angel Febres, Keith Paciello, Mark Leventhal, Bill Spector, Conrad Gomez, & Chris Paciello at Keith Paciello’s Birthday at FDR on May 21, 2012

Miami Beach, FL – February 19, 2014 – With great sorrow we would like to announce that DJ and South Beach nightlife pioneer, Mark Leventhal, has sadly passed away due to an untreatable mystery infection throughout his body. Whether you know him from back in the day or more recently, his legacy throughout Miami Beach is certainly one that will live on forever. Mark Leventhal was a man armed with deep, soulful cuts and R&B classics, owning the room every time he walked in. He was more than just an incredible DJ, he was a personality that lit up every room he was in. He was playful and lively as he would play games with the crowd throughout his DJ sets, sand mash songs together and kill the volume to hear everyone singing. Constantly reaching to find the perfect pitch, Mark knew it was always about the music. As a DJ he had respect for new talent and felt comfortable enough to take a back seat at times to let other DJs shine. Mark loved to give; he probably would break your balls if you had asked him for a fifty in the middle of his set, but would give it to you because Leventhal was nothing short of a giver and a nurturing brother. What we want is for Mark to know that he has touched so many people with his music, deeds and kindness as well as his one of a kind personality. The entire South Florida community, including World Red Eye, The Miami Herald, CBS 4 and NBC, has spotlighted Mark’s plight and recognized his irreplaceable stamp on the Miami music scene. Promoters and owners of clubs like Haven and Foxhole had hosted nights dedicated to raising money for Mark, who was uninsured. Social Media and online fundraising efforts exploded with love and dollars to help offset his medical costs. A gathering is being planned for Sunday where friends and loved ones will have the opportunity to pay their respects.

Mark Leventhal at Bebe Grand Opening on January 26, 2001

Born in New York, Mark was a natural, spending every waking moment gathering records, spinning at parties, and creating club flyers, canvassing New York promoting his gigs. By the early 90’s, now in a nascent but energy-brimming Miami nightlife scene, Mark had fully morphed into headliner DJ Mark Leventhal, spinning at Rande Gerber’s Ocean Drive lounge The Whiskey, Gary James’s The Spot on Espanola, mega Club Warsaw (where Jerry’s Famous Deli now resides), and countless others. Open Format, Hip Hop, Funk & Rock were his domains, the scene was ripe, so Mark partnered with Conrad Gomez and Bill Spector to create three of the most iconic, legendary parties in Miami Beach history – Fat Black Pussycat, Home Cookin’ and Hercules – weekly residence parties that attracted the “it crowds”, the models, the celebrities, the dedicated late nighters, the beautiful people, skaters, promoters, musicheads, artists and scenesters. Along with Mark’s then-wife Holly, Mark was everywhere, all the time. In ‘92, Fat Black Pussycat’s funk & hop hop vibe called Monday’s at club Liquid home, where Mark spun for thousands alongside gay legend DJ Tracy Young. Fat Black eventually moved to 1235 Washington (now home to Mansion) and Risk.. In ‘93, Home Cookin’ then launched on Tuesdays at Ready Bar, then Groovejet, then club Rain, Mark spinning hip hop and until dawn, frequently with an afro-Cuban jazz band playing live to his tracks. By ‘94, Mark launched Hercules, the immaculate groove night Sundays at Lua on Espanola Way before decamping the party to club Chaos. By this time, Mark, Conrad and Bill literally owned Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays on Miami Beach, and ran those three parties for seven to eight years, a phenomenal run. In those days, Mark stood shoulder to shoulder with the most important people in Miami nightlife, like Chris Paciello, Keith Paciello, Ingrid Casares, Ernie Harrel, Shelly Novak, Mark Underwood, John Hood, DJ Sugar and Michael Capponi.

Mark Leventhal at Ocean Drive Magazine 9th Anniversary on January 10, 2002

It’s not an understatement to suggest that Mark’s success, theme party innovation and tenacity also helped pave the way for David Grutman’s Miami Marketing Group (LIV), Eric Milon’s The Opium Group (SET, Mansion) or Nicola Siervo’s KNR Group (Wall, formerly Mokai, Cavalli, Quattro).

Conrad Gomez & Mark Leventhal at Rumi on September 14, 2001

Mark is a legend, a pioneer, the #1 club DJ Miami has ever seen, and I’d be nowhere today without him.

Conrad Gomez, owner of SMAC Entertainment, partner in Foxhole.  

 

Lynn, Bill Spector, Sean, & Mark Leventhal at The Magic Garden at Club N on January 12, 2001

The entire beach, the golden era of Miami nightlife throughout the 90’s, was all started by Mark. He knew how to promote, how to spin, how to cut deals with clubs. He would DJ daytime ‘tea parties’ in the parking lot of The Palace Bar in 92’, embracing the gay community, then all night at Hercules. He was unstoppable. Mark literally opened the door for everyone, every promoter, every club, because he showed them what was possible.

Bill Spector, owner of SMAC Entertainment, partner in Foxhole.

 

Proving everything in nightlife he needed to, Mark started a family and became a dedicated father to three children – sons Alec and Kyle, and daughter Zoe. In recent years, Mark has preferred playing earlier set times smaller clubs, gigging corporate events and intimate house parties, and events that could ensure fewer late nights so he can dote on his kids – meaning smaller residencies and gigs like Double Bubble at Haven, Buck 15, Ricochet, La Fee Verte, The Marlin, Oak Tavern, day parties at the Shore Club, The Forge, vinyl nights at Electric Pickle, corporate events for Ocean Drive Magazine, The EcoLifestyle Gala with Patricia Arquette, and stunning weddings like Ara Feinstein’s at Tom Sullivan’s magnificent estate on Palm Island.

Mark Leventhal at Beach Which Project on October 31, 1999

Rhianna, Mark Leventhal, & Akua at Fat Black at Liquid on November 29, 1999

Mark Leventhal & Akua at Home Cooking at Groove Jet on July 27, 1999

Mark Leventhal & Jason Binn at Ocean Drive Magazine Volleypalooza on February 26, 2000

Mark Leventhal & Sugar at Tracy Young’s Birthday at Nikki Beach on November 10, 2000

Mark Leventhal at The Magic Garden at Club N on January 12, 2001

Mark Leventhal, Johnny Knoxville, & Rhianna at Sure Shot on January 21, 2001

Rhianna, Dave England, Mark Leventhal,Weeman, Johnny Knoxville, Chris Pontius, Knate Gwaltney, & Steve-O at Sure Shot on January 21, 2001

Rhianna & Mark Leventhal at Magic Garden on February 9, 2001

Mark Leventhal at Ocean Drive Magazine Volleypalooza on February 24, 2001

Perry Farrell, Alan Roth, & Mark Leventhal at Rumi on September 9, 2001

Mark Leventhal at Red Cross Benefit at Rumi on September 20, 2001

Mark Leventhal & Erika Koopman at Saks Fifth Avenue on October 18, 2001

Mark Leventhal & family at *Nsync Concert on the beach on November 11, 2001

Mark Leventhal, Fat Joe, & DJ Khaled at Opium on April 21, 2002

Mark Leventhal at Fashion Targets Breast Cancer at Saks Fifth Avenue on September 18, 2002

Mark Leventhal at POP at British Khaki Grand Opening on November 7, 2002

Dan & Merle Weiss, Rudolphe, & Mark Leventhal at Metro Grand Opening on December 19, 2002

Mark Leventhal & Rick Delgado at Ocean Drive Volleypalooza on February 8, 2003

Ann Loure & Mark Leventhal at Mynt on April 19, 2003

Seth Browarnik & Mark Leventhal at Mynt on May 10, 2003

George Morris & Mark Leventhal at Mynt on October 18, 2003

Mark Leventhal at Rumi on November 6, 2003

Alan Roth & Mark Leventhal at Rumi on November 6, 2003

Mark Leventhal & Antonio Misuraca at Ten Museum Park Party on November 29, 2003

Tui Pranich, Iran Issa-Khan, & Mark Leventhal at Setai’s Art Loves Music at Sky Bar on December 3, 2003

Mark Leventhal & Shari Liu at Ralph Lauren on January 15, 2004

Tracy Young & Mark Leventhal at Ocean Drive Magazine Anniversary on February 19, 2004

Jimmy Franzo, Tommy Davidson, & Mark Leventhal at Ocean Drive Magazine Volleypalooza on February 21, 2004

Mark Leventhal & George Morris at The Waverly on March 27, 2004

Sara Wolfe & Mark Leventhal at Rokbar Grand Opening on May 13, 2004

Mark Leventhal & Beth Stutenberg at Rokbar Grand Opening on May 13, 2004

Juan Mejia & Mark Leventhal at Rokbar on May 25, 2004

Madd, Eddie Jones, & Mark Leventhal at Metro on August 10, 2004

Mark Leventhal & DJ Cassidy at Onda Grand Opening on August 26, 2004

Mark Leventhal & Clark Kent at Boost Mobile at Crobar on August 27, 2004

Mark Leventhal at Ocean Drive Magazine Volleypalooza on February 13, 2005

Mark Leventhal & family at Ocean Drive Magazine Volleypalooza on February 13, 2005

Efren Ramirez & Mark Leventhal at Mark & Amanda Tamis’ BBQ on June 18, 2005

Mark Leventhal & Tony Cho at Snatch on October 20, 2005

Mark Leventhal at Desperate Housewives Party at Anna Bella Boutique on March 15, 2006

Sara Wolfe, Lincoln O’Barry, & Mark Leventhal at Mokai Grand Opening on September 27, 2006

Adrian Gonzalez & Mark Leventhal at Louis Vuitton Cocktail Party at Neiman Marcus on October 10, 2006

Mark Leventhal at Marchesa Special Appearance at Neiman Marcus Coral Gables on October 19, 2006

Mark Leventhal & DJ Irie at Ocean Drive at King Jewelers on December 21, 2006

Mark Leventhal at True Religion Fashion Show at Miami Swim on July 12, 2007

Mark Leventhal & Jovar Andrews at The Florida Room on April 26, 2008

Mark Leventhal & Seth Browarnik at The Florida Room on April 26, 2008

Sale & Mark Leventhal at Carlos Miele Fashion Show by Ocean Drive Magazine at The Biltmore on September 22, 2008

Mark Leventhal & Vice at LIV on December 30, 2008

Mark Leventhal, Sujit Kundu, & Vice at LIV on December 30, 2008

Mark Leventhal & Jessica Who at LIV on December 30, 2008

Mark Leventhal & Adriene at Provocateur Grand Opening on December 30, 2008

Mark Leventhal & Brian Antoni at Fish Called Avalon 20th Anniversary on January 16, 2009

Mark Leventhal, Tara Solomon, & Nick D’Annunzio at Fish Called Avalon 20th Anniversary on January 16, 2009

Leon Nieuwoudt, Mark Leventhal, Ernesto Arambatzis, Nick D’Annunzio, & Jose Ortiz at  Fish Called Avalon 20th Anniversary on January 16, 2009

Mark Leventhal at Fish Called Avalon 20th Anniversary on January 16, 2009

Ross One, Tony G, & Mark Leventhal at LIV on February 13, 2009

Tony G, Mark Leventhal, & Jovar Andrews at LIV on February 13, 2009

Ross One, Sujit Kundu, Mr. Mauricio, & Mark Leventhal at LIV on March 27, 2009

Top Cat & Mark Leventhal at LIV on March 27, 2009

Tatanka, Mark Leventhal, & Ruen at Favela Chic at Mokai on June 30, 2009

Jona Cerwinske, Jamie Jo Harris, & Mark Leventhal at WALL on September 11, 2009

Mark Leventhal & Mark Underwood at Elle Personal Style Awards at Bal Harbour Shops on October 13, 2009

Mark Leventhal & Michael Storms at Elle Personal Style Awards at Bal Harbour Shops on October 13, 2009

Mark Leventhal & Jessica Szohr at Diesel & Skyy Vodka After Party on July 4, 2011

 Ben Arndt, Liz Shoaf, Mark Leventhal at Haven on July 17, 2012