Died On This Date (September 23, 2005) Sam Fields / Los Angeles Radio DJ
Sam Fields
1950 – September 23, 2005
Sam Fields was a popular and longtime Los Angeles area radio disc jockey. For over three decades, he spun records at such influential stations as KMET, KROQ, KLAC, KKGO and KKJZ. But it was his love and knowledge of jazz that made him stand out above all the rest. He hit the L.A. airwaves in 1972 and was most recently heard at Long Beach’s respected KKJZ where he was recognized for bringing blues to the jazz station’s playlist. Sam Fields was 55 when he passed away in his home on September 23, 2005. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Thanks to Micaela Pierce for the assist.



DJ AM first came to prominence in the late ’90s rock band, Crazy Town, whose “Butterfly” was a radio hit in 2001. A popular DJ with celebrities, he’s been known to play parties for the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Madonna and Will Smith. In recent years DJ AM was collaborating with Travis Barker of Blink 182. The two survived a horrific private plane crash on September 19, 2008 while four others were killed. In 2005, DJ AM was engaged to Nicole Richie but the engagement was later called off. Adam Goldstein was found dead in his New York apartment on August 28, 2009. The coroner’s report later made public that Goldstein died of acute intoxication, or accidental overdose of various drugs including cocaine, Xanax and OxyContin.
Scott “La Rock” Sterling was a social worker and DJ when he met rapper KRS-One in 1986. The two along with D-Nice, formed rap group Boogie Down Productions in 1986. The group helped usher in what would later be called gansta rap with their gritty songs that married dancehall reggae with hip hop. Their debut hit album, Criminal Minded is considered a cornerstone of the genre. Scott Sterling died in a hospital operating room shortly after being shot by alleged hoods in the South Bronx. He was just 25.
