01/05/2024
On Friday 5th April, BBC Radio’s independent music network, 6Music, broadcast an hour long special mix to celebrate the work of the gay house music DJ Frankie Knuckles to mark the tenth anniversary of his sad death due to complications from diabetes. Mr Knuckles is sometimes referred to as a the “Godfather of House Music” as his work in gay black clubs such as the Continental Baths in New York City and the Warehouse in Chicago was essential in developing disco music into its successor, house music. As Wikipedia notes, “In the late 1970s, as disco faced challenges, Knuckles sought ways to keep the genre alive in Chicago. He began experimenting with re-edits of songs, extending intros and breaks, and adding new beats to rejuvenate old favorites….. The Warehouse, situated in Chicago's west side industrial zone, emerged as a sanctuary for the city's black and gay community, offering a haven for those seeking freedom and salvation through music. Knuckles' DJ sets at the Warehouse were transformative experiences, drawing in crowds of up to 2,000 people, primarily from the black and gay demographic”. A section of Jefferson Street in Chicago near the site of Warehouse was renamed the Honorary "The Godfather of House Music" Frankie Knuckles Way in August 2004.
