‘DJ Mr. Rid’ has died
Well-known North Texas DJ and musician Mark Ridlen passed away Saturday, Nov. 16, at the age of 65, following a lengthy battle with lung and kidney cancer.
Ridlen died in a Dallas hospital, surrounded by friends. Ridlen was known by his stage name of DJ Mr. Rid and was a familiar face at events in the LGBTQ community, including in recent months a North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce New Members Showcase and Hunky’s recent grand re-opening party at the Cedar Springs Road location.
According to a memorial tribute written by Pete Freedman for WFAA.com, Ridlen first made his name by making mixtapes for vintage clothing stores, which led to him being hired to work at the Starck Club when it opened in 1984.
That same year, he founded his psychedelic rock band Lithium X-Mas. As the 1980s Deep Ellum rock scene began to fade, Ridlen continued to work as DJ Mr.
