Family And Friends Say Goodbye To DJ AM

Celebrity DJ Adam Goldstein (aka DJ AM) was laid to rest Thursday, Sept. 3, at the Hollywood Palladium – less than one week after he was found dead in his New York apartment of an apparent drug overdose.

Just as Michael Jackson was being laid to rest in an extravagant ceremony across town the same evening, the farewell to Goldstein struck a more low-key note; though heavily attended by celebrity types, the service was modeled after a 12-step meeting – a system used by recovering addicts in programs like Alcoholics Anonymous.

Goldstein, who survived a plane crash in South Carolina last year, had battled addictions to crack cocaine, Ecstasy and other drugs, but he claimed he had been drug-free for years, the AP reported.

Because DJ AM’s life and career revolved around the the goings-on of Hollywood and the playthings who inhabit its world, there was sure to be a strong, celebrity presence for the farewell ceremony. Lindsey Lohan, Robert Downey Jr., ex-girlfriend Nicole Ritchie, Samantha Ronson and John Mayer were among the bold-face names in attendance.

Numerous guests took part in the 12-step process, including Scott Caan, who wrote a rap to commemorate his friend, club promoter Brent Bolthouse and Korn drummer Rob Patterson.

It was reported there were close to 2,000 mourners who came out to say goodbye to DJ AM at the memorial service.

“He was my soulmate and now he is my soul,” girlfriend Hayley Wood said during the two-and-a-half-hour memorial. “He is my amazing grace.”

The Palladium setting was a nice location for the farewell as it was, according to MTV.com, the first venue DJ AM performed in following the South Carolina plane crash.

DJ AM’s passing last week has not been officially determined, but reports say the disc jockey had oxycontin pills in his stomach and that his body was found alongside a bag of crack and a crack pipe.

Goldstein was 36 years old.