DJ Alfredo, the man who gave sound to the soul of Ibiza
03 January 2025

DJ Alfredo, the man who gave sound to the soul of Ibiza

Since the last century, Ibiza has been a magnet for free spirits. The island has grown—and continues to grow—as a meeting point for the convergence of cultures. Here, there are no boundaries: its waves call to all who speak the universal language of dance. Alfredo Fiorito knew how to listen to the diversity of sounds on the island and the spirit of its inhabitants. Without haste or labels, during his years at Amnesia, he created a musical genre that captured the unique essence of Ibiza—a place like no other in the world.

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Imagine this: it’s 1976, you’re 23 years old, and you’re leaving your country, fleeing dictatorship and repression. You fly from Argentina to Spain and, following the advice of other exiles, you decide to land on an island that, they say, is the closest thing to paradise. In the 1970s, the idea of living in an idyllic place went beyond its turquoise waters, energy-filled mountains, or endless sun. What truly defined this paradise was the cherished experience of living in freedom.

Four years after his arrival, Alfredo Fiorito found his first mixer while working as a bartender at a port-side bar in Ibiza. The device had two turntables and a simple function: you moved one slider or the other to play the record. It was here that Alfredo discovered his passion for setting the mood of a space through music. Little by little, he refined his technique, playing at that bar and in other small venues across the island.

In 1983, our story with him began. Alfredo was hired for a private event at Amnesia, and the following year, he became our resident DJ. Our open-air terrace, the trees that still stand, and the iconic fountain with the pyramid became an oasis of enjoyment. The magic of the space intensified with the morning light, and Alfredo knew how to harness it. Although his set ended early in the morning, he continued playing for the few workers who remained. His sound began to resonate, word spread, and Amnesia’s mornings became the after-party everyone wanted to experience. It was the place where people began their day dancing, sharing, and being nothing else but themselves.

But what was it that drew young and old, Brits and Spaniards, men and women? What seemed so diverse on the island, Alfredo transformed into something unified through music. He blended hits from around the world, striking a chord with every culture and reading the crowd’s energy as he brought a new vinyl to life. Surely, he wondered: “Why stick to just one genre when I can mix them all?” In the diversity of beats, Alfredo found a way to guide bohemians on a sonic journey that touched every emotion: euphoria, melancholy, romance, liberation. All of it was part of the same spectacle born at Amnesia.

Alfredo discovered that his roots in Argentine rock could blend with the funk and soul of the burgeoning Afro-American scene. He also understood that reggae, disco, and pop could create unique moments with the same intensity of joy despite their varied rhythms. He turned differences into a powerful force, reaching a stellar point with the arrival of house music, which brought all the pieces together in perfect harmony.

In 1987, this heartbeat grew stronger. Legendary British DJs Danny Rampling, Paul Oakenfold, Nicky Holloway, and Johnny Walker arrived at Amnesia to experience the island’s unique vibe. They were explorers, alchemists, and pioneers; they took the burgeoning electronic sounds from Chicago and merged them with the island’s liberating rhythms to shape what would become known as “Balearic Beat” and “Acid House” in the UK. One could say that the heart of international electronic music was born here. During 1988 and 1989, the years dubbed the “Second Summer of Love,” the unique power of electronic music and dance laid the foundation for rave culture.

Alfredo’s long years at Amnesia had a global impact, and his eclectic sound gave rise—almost unintentionally—to the now-iconic “Balearic Beat,” a symbol of Ibiza’s multicultural spirit. That our Terrace was the dance floor where this milestone of electronic music was born fills us with pride. The energy Alfredo created at Amnesia remains alive; the years pass, but the essence and message endure: dance and forget everything.

Thank you, Alfredo. Rest in peace, and as you taught us, let’s keep dancing.