Alex Omes, 42, one of the co-founders and owners of the massively successful and influential Ultra Music Festival, has passed away. Details are currently scarce, but an outpouring of sentiments from friends on Omes’ Facebook page makes it clear that sometime between Monday night and Tuesday of this week news broke of his death. Alejandro “Alex” Omes and his then business partner, Russel Faisbisch, started UMF in 1999 with a paltry $200,000. The inagural edition of the fest took place at Collins Park and featured acts like Paul van Dyk, Josh Wink, and Baby Anne. Omes, a former nightclub bouncer, and Faisbisch ran the festival until 2010, by which time Ultra had achieved international prominence and undisputed success. Around that time, Omes claims he was forced out of Ultra by Faisbisch and the shareholders, and entered into a nasty legal battle with the company and his former partners. Regardless of Omes eventual split from Ultra, his initial vision and perseverance transformed the dance music world and created one of the greatest financial boon’s the city of Miami has ever seen, pumping almost $80 million into the city’s economy last year. Be sure to stay tuned for further details regarding Omes’ death.
Photo Via: World Redeye
Via: Miami New Times
