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Artist Tue Apr 01 2014
RIP Frankie Knuckles, Godfather of House Music
Frankie Knuckles, the "Godfather of Chicago House," passed away Monday night. He was 59.
Knuckles was born in the Bronx, NY, and moved to Chicago in 1977. He is credited with creating Chicago house during his residency at the Warehouse, a black gay nightclub, in the early 1980s. His remixes of disco records filled the dance floor and sent fans to record stores asking for "house" records.
In 1983, Knuckles moved on from the Warehouse to open his own club, the Power Plant, and put out his first record, a 12" remix of First Choice's "Let No Man Put Asunder." He went on to produce many more classic remixes and singles, including "Your Love" and "The Whistle Song."
In 2004, the City renamed a portion of Jefferson Street, near the former site of the Warehouse, "The Godfather of House Music" Frankie Knuckles Way. He was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame in 2005.
Knuckles' death -- which was broken late last night by 5Chicago and confirmed by friends and colleagues DJ Deeon, Paul Johnson and David Morales -- took the house music community by surprise. His schedule had been as busy as ever, and his final tweet was made early Monday morning, looking forward to an upcoming festival date. His Facebook page touted dates in the UK and Italy.
He is featured in the teaser for an upcoming documentary on Chicago house that was released XLR8R released a podcast mix from him last week.
The Tribune's Greg Kot has a remembrance, summing up the man's career and importance to the music community in Chicago and beyond.