Sad news this afternoon as we note and praise one of House Music’s most dynamic forces on her passing.
Judy Russell of Vinylmania, Movin’ Records, Nu Groove and Downtown161 has died, according to a post from Ben Goldfarb. Goldfarb writes that Russell “passed suddenly on Tuesday after going into cardiac arrest just one day after being diagnosed with an advanced malignant tumor on her kidney.”
“If you’ve been around house music in America,” 5 Mag wrote a year ago, “there’s a pretty good chance that Judy Russell is responsible for a fair amount of your record collection, either selling it (at Vinylmania [and Movin’ Records] in the ’80s), signing it (at legendary NYC golden age label Nu Groove or Citi Records) or, most recently, selling the records you love to the people who sold them to you via the (then) defunct Downtown161.”
A year ago, Goldfarb spearheaded a fundraising campaign to help Russell, who had been out of work “for years” from health problems and, he revealed today, had spent “two years in homeless shelters, telling almost no one.”
“Being a person who has always worked hard for everything she had, and taken care of herself from an early age, she was very hesitant to ask her friends for help,” Goldfarb wrote. “She didn’t want to be a burden to anyone. But sometimes we all need a helping hand.”
Judy Russell left her mark on a thousand people, and helped launch and support hundreds of producers’ and DJs’ careers. It’s impossible to consider the number of classic records from the likes of Kerri Chandler, Tony Humphries, Frankie Knuckles, etc. that passed through her hands, having either been signed, championed or promoted by Russell.
Tony Humphries remembered Judy Russell and a relationship that stretched back to 1978. Russell taught him “not to emotionally cry over each release I put out and always said ‘if it’s a hit, the public will tell you. If it isn’t a hit, move on.’ She was my advisor and protector. If a title didn’t sell a lot, she’d buy the remaining pressings. She was such a giving person. I owed her so much. She was a special person and a special friend.
“The world has lost another great one. I’m saddened, but feel very fortunate to have received all that I did. Rest in peace Judy. You’ll sorely be missed.”
According to Goldfarb, Judy had been living in a new furnished apartment in the Bronx since May and was “relieved, overwhelmed and excited to rebuild her life, furnishing the place, and planning to adopt a puppy. Three weeks ago I stopped by to bring her some of her more prized possessions, which I had been keeping safe for her: An original Bugs Bunny film cel, an autographed photo of Cal Ripken Jr., and the poster from her benefit party, signed by her friends …
“I knew her re-entry would be rough and she faced challenges. But I never imagined this would be the last I’d see her. We hugged and I promised to visit soon. Love you Judy. I hope you are released from all suffering, dancing in Paradise 4evr.”