Scott Fitlin at Coney Island's Eldorado. Photo © Charles Denson
Sorrowful news from Coney Island this morning: Our friend Scott Fitlin, who operated the Eldorado Bumper cars for his family, died on Monday in his apartment. Scott was the DJ extraordinaire of Surf Avenue’s legendary disco palace of bumper cars and a steadfast defender of the amusement zone. Coney Island will miss him more than we can say.
These never-before-published portraits of Scott Fitlin were taken by Coney Island historian Charles Denson, who photographed Scott at work in the Eldorado this summer.
Coney Island raconteur Stan Fox, whose family operated the Playland arcade, recalled saying that when Mike Saltzstein of the B & B Carousell died in 2001, the music died. “Today’s another day when the music died,” Fox said.
Scott Fitlin was proud of the Eldorado’s sound system. Last March, ATZ did a post celebrating the Eldorado, in which Scott related the history of the ride and the sound system. Here is an excerpt:
Eldorado was hand built by my grandfather Joseph Buxbaum, my Dad Sandy Fitlin, and my Uncle Peter Buxbaum, and a carpenter named Rafael. Opening date was March 21st 1973, admission was 50 cents and 25 cent re-rides.
The lighting is disco style from the Studio 54 era, and we are upgrading this year to newer LED technology effects.
Our sound is custom built, by us, and we have had professionals in from time to time, back in the old days it was Richard Long, famous for the sound at Studio 54 and The Paradise Garage. Our sound is extremely powerful yet very easy to listen to, it doesn’t hurt the ear. CRYSTAL CLEAR, lightning fast, and stunning transient response, the crack of the snare drum is scary. Our bass is tremendous, and I play dance music, the sound that has energy and life, and POSITIVITY!
Our Bumper cars are Italian made Soli cars. They look good, run fast, and bump good.
The Eldorado Arcade opened for the spring of `71, the bumper cars were constructed during the winter of `72, and grand opened March 21, 1973. The FIRST record played was Cisco Kid-War!
Over the summer, Scott sent us a note about the upgrade to the Eldorado’s sound system:
I was always devoutly into audio, and music. Once I have performed and completed this years sound system repairs and upgrades, once again, NOTHING sounds like The Eldorado.
If you really begin searching the web using my name, you will find that I am one of the foremost authorities on the RLA [Richard Long] sound, and dance club style sound.
I have been working the 1216 Surf Ave Eldorado like it is a nightclub, for years. The only difference between my place and a club, is that in a club you dance on the floor, in my place you drive electric cars around the floor. Essentially, I run a disco on wheels.
Services will be on Friday, October 15th, at 12 noon at the Boulevard Chapel in Hewlett, Long Island. Phone 516-295-3100. The Fitlin family has chartered a bus to take anyone who wishes to attend but does not have transportation. The bus is expected to leave from the Eldorado between 9 am and 10 am.
UPDATE October 22, 2010:
The Coney Island History Project has posted a very moving excerpt from an audio interview that Scott did with CIHP director Charles Denson
http://www.coneyislandhistory.org/news/?p=484
Related posts on ATZ…
March 30, 2012: 60 Years of Family History in Coney Island End with Sale of Eldorado
November 18, 2010: Good News from Coney Island! Eldorado “Bump Your Ass Off” Bumper Cars To Reopen
October 17, 2010: Photo Album: Oct 15 Tribute in Sound & Light to Scott Fitlin
March 14, 2010: Eldorado Auto Skooter: Coney Island’s Disco Palace of Bumper Cars
Amusing the Zillion 
Scott’s passing is a tragic loss for all of Coney Island and all those who loved it. I will miss him.
I will miss him too and so will everyone who loves Coney Island. Some people probably won’t find out till they come back next season! When I have time to compose my thoughts, I will write a more personal remembrance of Scott. Just wanted to get this up right away
Sad Day, For all that knew him. He was a good guy and I will miss him saying, “Turn The wheel” RIP Scotty
Cousin Scott,
you will always be remembered and loved very much and live on in our heart. You will be missed and never forgotton….
Goodbyes are not forever.
Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I’ll miss you
Until we meet again!
God Bless you Scott
We love you forever
RIP. Scott was so generous, we just had the awards ceremony for the Coney Island Film Festival at the El Dorado. My condolences to family and friends.
A REAL TROOPER FROM THE CONEY ISLAND FAMILY HAS LEFT A VOID, WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED EVERYTIME I WALK BY THE ARCADE “ARE YOU LOST, GET BACK TO WORK”,. GOODBYE MY FRIEND.
Really too bad… RIP.
-I didn’t know him, but after reading all the comments and loving Coney Island, I can picture him at Coney Island, and remember the loud audio they played on some of the amusements rides. It’s true like what Scott said in his interview, it was loud but it didn’t hurt your ears. There was a rhyme to the reason.
-I remember that audio aspect as a kid walking up and down the Amusement Park, it added so much excitement to the experience, you could feel that it was a unique sound, one that you would remember and feel days after the Coney Island visit.
-So I say, from now on, when I feel and think about that loud exciting, smooth, grandiose, and happy sound, I will think of a man named Scott.
Rest in peace, Scott. Coney Island won’t be the same without you.
Scott was a gem – a fascinating man, and deeply important fixture in Coney’s culture. I will always appreciate his staunch, outspoken position for the amusements and their operators – he never shirked from standing up for what he believed in. And the way he ran the Eldorado – the place truly was a bumper disco, with hardly room on the sidewalk thanks to onlookers, during the season. A good-hearted fellow, to boot. He will be missed very, very much.
I can’t believe this, I got a call and I was shocked, RIP my friend you will be missed.
Dear Friends and Family of Scott Fitlin,
I think we need to have a memorial service in Coney Island sometime before the end of the year. We can pay tribute to Scott by sharing memories, stories and anecdotes about the Eldorado and our friend Scott.
Last year I attended a memorial service for the blogger Bob Guskind, who was greatly admired and died at a similarly young age. It was a very moving experience to listen to tributes from friends and colleagues.
Tricia
I am so sorry to hear of Scott’s passing- but his memory and music will live on…. My heartfelt condolences to the El Dorado family.
Philomena
Scott was a really kind ,straight forward guy whom I will truly miss very much ,,,,,, What a great friend and his passion for music and ConeyIsland will never be replaced…. :(
I shall miss Scooty’s presence on Lansing Heritage Forums he had great wit and sense.
RIP Scotty
I grew up with Scot. Very interesting growing up in the “Coney” amusement area,the stories, the events and the history, there is no place like it in the world.
Long live the memories of “The Old Coney Island” as he and I knew them.
And may Scottie Rest in Peace.
Sorrowfully
Gordon
Man… I lost a father figure and I miss him.. Last time we spoke he told me to get rest because he wanted to work on the system lol.. He spoke to me like I knew as much as he did … He always told me I was sharp and smart enuff to do anything I wanted .. We were close.. Rest in peace Scotty J.. Best dj to live……
R.I.P Scott we shall all miss you,your friends from Cedarhurst Taxi.
Scott was an internet friend of mine through the Lansing Heritage Site.
We spoke via phone on a couple of occasions and had much contact on the forum. His enthusiasm and passion for his occupation was palpable as was his taste for some of life’s finer things.
I was planning on taking a future trip to Coney Island for a personal tour of Scott’s world famous Eldorado attraction. He was taken at such a young age…we’ll miss you Scotty J.
Ken Haerr
In just three weeks i would have had the honor of introducing Scott to my friends and family! Such a wonderful guy, Rest In Peace Scotty! Love you!
hI Christine,
I’m absolutely speechless by this tragic news .I know Scotty and Sandy for many years I had worked at Coney how old was he and how did he die .My heartfelt condolences go out to all his family and friends
R.I.P. SCOTT
May you rest in peace Scott and walk with God my friend..till we meet again..
I worked next door in the CI Flea Market for the past 6 years. Every time Scotty would get some extra time we would chit chat about the disco era and music. I just found out about Scotty a few minutes ago. I will miss him greatly . I also would like to send my prayers and love to his family.
RIP CLUBMAN5 AKA SCOTT FITLIN
I knew Scott,Sandy,Shiela,Joe and Peter bauxbaum for years . As well as spending much time at Eldorado.I helped them with the Disco from the Beginning. This is shocking and sad.My Sympathy goes out to the Fitlin Family from the bottom of my heart. Rich once of AST. How Time Flies.
This guy was amazing. My friend knew him via the Wave board. He played us the system before the place opened. A seminal NYC memory for me. R.I.P.
I grew up in Coney Island. The highlight of my summer weekends was staying in the Eldorado for hours, listening to the great music. Even up to last summer, Scotty always let me stay right in the front by the turnstile, and when it wasn’t busy, he would show me the details of his awesome system. He was a great man, and well loved by Coney Island and NYC
I knew your son, Sandy, He was a good man, You guys Put together a Bumper Car/Arcade Empire, And I had The pleasure of meeting you one Night, Last summer, Your Place Has given me and My son so many memories. We are grateful .
Cant wait till next year, I know that scott’s Energy will always power The Eldorado. May he Rest in peace.
I knew your son, Sandy, He was a good man, You guys Put together a Bumper Car/Arcade Empire, And I had The pleasure of meeting you one Night, Last summer, Your Place Has given me and My son so many memories. We are grateful , For that.
Cant wait till next year, I know that scott’s Energy will always power The Eldorado. May he Rest in peace.
rest in peace, may we here your music in the skies as we all still wait to meet you in the sky
I also came to know Scott through the Audio Heritage site many years ago. He was as passionate about music and audio as anyone I have met. It does not surprise me to see he had so many friends. He is and will be missed by many. Julie and I wish his family comfort at this difficult time.
So long bud….
Ken Pachkowsky
hello this is caco , it just came to my attention that scotty past away. i am deeply sorry for your lost. – caco & wife
Sandy,
I just heard the news…We echo the previous post by Richie, it is so “shocking and sad”. Sorry for your loss.
Michael and Aaron (formerly of AST)
Hi Mike, Hope you and family are well.
Rich
Thanks, Rich…Teresa and I got divorced about 10 years ago…I’ve been raising the boys on my own…my oldest just finished college, my youngest just started. My dad just turned 85 and he and my mom are doing well considering their ages. I’ve reinvented myself by doing consulting in real estate. Tony Satariani told me at a recent AES show that he met you once in CO. Hope you’ve adapted to fresh water fishing.
Best to Snookie, Christina, Joseph, Helen and your grandkids…
Michael
Mike,
My email is a———@aol.com, the — is my last name . Drop me a line sometime I’ll give you the Low down on whats going on .
Best Rich
I will never forget scott he gave me my first job at the eldorado worked for him for 5 summers and he was a awsome fella I will never forget about all the crazy fun we had while I wked wit him he was a cool dude always talked about music and the way music should sound. He deffinetly has changed the way I listen to music hands down. We lost a great guy but we will never forget the impact he had at coney island rides with the infamous BUMP BUMP BUMP YOUR ASS OFF. He is the KING of audio. Love u bro. R.I.P. scott fitlin aka dj scotty j
My good friend, I’ll always remember you from the Warsaw days. I was borne in Coney Island and remember the El Dorado well, & rode it often. I pray for your soul always. All my love,
Joey Madonia
OMG i just came across this page I worked at eldorado when it first opened, Scott and Lori jean and i had so much fun growing up here they were kinda like my family. His dad Sandy and uncle Peter were great people to work for and the grandfather Big Joe i used to call him took me fishing on the sheepshead bay boats in the summer they kinda kept me out of trouble gave me a job put a few dollars in my pocket. I was just getting ready to go back to ny this week and visit eldorado but now find out its all gone, I am 56 and still remember all the good times at eldorado they had to be some of the best days of my life god bless them all.
Rest in peace Scotty
I cannot tell you how many times we got thrown off the ride