Meet the 79-YEAR-OLD mystery raver who has taken dozens of EDM festivals across the US by storm

Raving isn’t just for millennials or Gen-Zs, as a 79-year-old on a mission is out to prove.

Retiree Alan Grofé has become a beloved fixture on the EDM festival scene, and DailyMail.com came across him at Miami’s Ultra Music Festival last March, along with his daughter and stepson.

Wearing one of his signature neon T-shirts emblazoned with his nickname “Rave Pops,” Grofé was unstoppable as he energetically busted out some moves amid the sweaty crowd at the drum and bass stage.

Thanks to his infectious energy, “Rave Pops” has been featured in dozens of TikTok videos, and a clip of him at the 2016 Sunset Music Festival in Tampa went viral.

Back in the less manic confines of his Florida home, the grandfather of five, who has been to 45 raves so far, says raves have taught him that “you’re never too old to do something you love!”

The dancer is often seen wearing one of his signature neon T-shirts emblazoned with his nickname ‘Rave Pops’

Grofé was first introduced to electronic music by his DJ son Gavin in 1995. Of the series of events, he says: “He was in the basement playing drum and bass. I was completely impressed by it’

The grandfather of five says the enthusiasm has taught him that “you’re never too old to do something you love!”

The former tech and healthcare entrepreneur continues: ‘I had the assumption that I would never be accepted and respected by my young fellow ravers.

‘I have learned from others that by simply being yourself, with openness, approachability and a cheerful attitude, you can win their hearts and minds.’

Grofé was first introduced to electronic music by his DJ son Gavin in 1995.

Commenting on the series of events, the California native said: “He was in the basement playing drum and bass and I was in complete awe of it.

‘It took me another two years to convince him to get me to go to a rave with him in 1997.

“That was in Washington, DC, at a big club called the Capital Ballroom. It’s a beautiful building from 1924 and it had different rooms with rooms for house, trance, drum and base and hip hop.’

At that first rave experience, Grofé said he made sure he was behind the best dancers, who were “by far mostly women,” and learned to dance to the different styles of music.

He had been in a ballroom dancing group as a child, so he had a good sense of rhythm and from that first meeting he was hooked.

As a child, Grofé was in a ballroom dancing group, so he had a good sense of rhythm and from that first meeting he was hooked

In 1999, Grofé said he had one of his most memorable clubbing experiences when he went to see Sasha and John Digweed and Paul Van Dyk perform at the now-defunct Twilo nightclub in New York, where his daughter Paige worked at the time.

As for festivals, Grofé says he loved the long-running electronic dance event Starscape, held at Fort Armistead Park in Baltimore.

He recalls, “I went to Moonrise, which later evolved into the Starscape Festival, for nine years, and open-air festivals were virtually unknown at the time.

‘Many festivals later, it is still a party you will never forget.’

With his 80th birthday and 55th wedding anniversary approaching, Grofé, who is also an avid runner, has no plans to slow down his dancing antics.

For those considering the “world of rave,” Grofé says it’s a must-do

The cheerful septuagenarian pictured with his daughter Paige

When asked what his dream rave would be, the cheerful septuagenarian answers: ‘Ahh, what a question! A three-day festival on the beach of Bali.

‘It would be with three or four stages spread across that beautiful environment, some of which have a fully danceable surface, a replica of the beautiful wooden floor in the aforementioned Capital Ballroom.

‘It would have state-of-the-art sound and visuals, so among the performers my favorite DJ Eric Prydz could do his magic!’

For those considering the “world of rave,” Grofé says it’s a must-do.

Explaining what’s so special about EDM culture, he concludes: ‘It’s a combination of the communal nature of the experience, with so many like-minded people of all ages enjoying a wide variety of uplifting EDM music, and the sheer joy and physical excitement of dancing non-stop like no one is watching!

“Although it is not used as often anymore, the early theme that set the tone for all of this was ‘PLUR’ – Peace, Love, Unity and Respect – which I still practice to this day.

‘I love it when young people come up to me and say they want to be just like me when they grow up. My response to them is that they have my permission.

‘Whatever your age, just go and let the good atmosphere and music wash over you.’