WASHINGTON – The longtime security chief at the 9:30 Club in D.C. died of suicide.
The office of Maryland’s chief medical examiner says that Josh Burdette, known as “Big Josh,” died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Sunday. He was 36.
Scholarship Fund Established
A scholarship fund has been set up in Burdette’s memory through the University of Maryland’s Division of Student Affairs.
The Josh Burdette Student Entertainment Events Memorial Scholarship seeks to uphold his “legacy of knowledge and love of learning.”
The fund is accepting memorial gifts.
Earlier, Montgomery County police said they were investigating his death as a possible suicide.
A club source told WTOP earlier in the week, after Burdette’s death: “We are all crushed. There is really nothing for us to say other than our hearts are broken.”
Burdette, known for his stretched earlobes, shaved head and multiple piercings and tattoos, was well-known to concertgoers at the venue on V Street in Northwest and thought by many to be the public face of the club.
Burdette had worked at the 9:30 Club for 16 years.
ABC7 reports police responded to Burdette’s Kensington home in Montgomery County around 5:30 p.m.
News of Burdette’s death sparked numerous tributes on Twitter:
#RIP #JoshBurdette, known as the face of @930Club My heart goes to his loved ones and the whole #9:30Club family @ThieveryCorpDC LOVES YOU
— Natalia Clavier (@nataliaclavier) September 2, 2013
If you've lived in the area for 5 minutes and been to a rock show, you know who Big Josh is. cc: @TheRealSMH7: pic.twitter.com/bWRlPcZlWB
— Roche (@rocheonair) September 2, 2013
Outside @930Club – what a fan left for Josh Burdette a huge music and @washcaps fan pic.twitter.com/V3RYGLcWXm
— Steve Chenevey (@stevechenevey) September 2, 2013
Just heard Josh Burdette, DC icon and the face of @930Club, passed away. He was so great to us ALWAYS. A gentleman. pic.twitter.com/3IMuvSi9uY
— O.A.R. (@ofarevolution) September 2, 2013
RIP Josh Burdette, a big guy whose heart was even bigger. Gonna miss seeing you around the VC and especially the 930, pal.
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) September 2, 2013
The 9:30 Club’s Seth Hurwitz released this statement on the news of his friend’s death:
“Josh was one of the wisest people you would ever meet. When you talked to him, you hoped you would be lucky enough to retain some of that wisdom, but you had to make the effort as he never forced it on you. But every word he spoke was from one of the kindest, most thoughtful and well-centered folks you could hope to have in your life.
“And then there was the fantastic joke that people that didn’t know him fell for every time. Here was this scary looking dude that was a complete contradiction of his appearance. I think everyone felt a little ashamed and learned from that.
“We were all so proud to have him as our ambassador to the world. He was as 9:30 as 9:30 gets.
“I’m pretty good at moving on but this one’s gonna be tough. There will be no getting over it, sorry.”
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