Frankie Knuckles, “Godfather of Chicago House Music,” Dead At 59

Our condolences go out to the family of Frankie Knuckles, The “Godfather of House,” who died yesterday at the age of 59.

The official cause of death is currently unknown, but some reports suggest it was from complications related to Type II Diabetes.

Respected throughout the music industry, Questlove of The Roots tweeted,

 “jesus man. Frankie Knuckles was so under-appreciated. he was the dj that dj’s aspired to be. true dance pioneer.”

Born in the Bronx in 1955, Knuckles first played disco in New York alongside Larry Levan – before moving to Chicago in the 1970s, reports The NY Daily News.  It was there he started spinning at The Warehouse – the club credited with giving birth to the house music genre – before opening up his own venue The Power Plant in 1983.

A prolific producer, he formed Def Mix Productions with Morales – and worked with stars including Diana Ross, Chaka Khan and Michael Jackson.

His break as an independent artist came in 1991 when Virgin released his debut album “Beyond the Mix” – containing seminal singles “The Whistle Song,” “Rainfalls” and “Workout.”

The City of Chicago renamed a stretch of Jefferson Street, near the site of the original Warehouse club, as “Frankie Knuckles Way” in 2004.

R.I.P. to a true legend and pioneer.

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