House Music DJ/Producer. Chicago.
Bio: Few figures in contemporary music have influenced their respective fields the way Frankie Knuckles has revolutionized dance music.
Born Francis Nicholls on January 18, 1955, Frankie Knuckles was an American House Music DJ, producer, label owner, remixer and tireless champion of the genre that would come to be known as House Music.
In the Bronx, Frankie Knuckles began to frequent discotheques during the 1970s. He was studying textile design when he began to DJ at underground New York venues including the Continental Baths. At the prompting of Robert Williams, Frankie moved to Chicago where Williams was operating a club that would later come to be known as The Warehouse. In 1982, Frankie moved to his own club, The Power Plant. In incredible second and third acts, Frankie Knuckles would play a key role as a DJ at Delirium during the explosion of electronic music and rave culture in 1987, followed by a seminal stint at New York’s Sound Factory Bar. In 1997, Frankie Knuckles won the Grammy Award for “Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical.”
In the 2000s, Frankie Knuckles split his time between residencies in Europe and his home in Chicago. Frankie Knuckles died on March 31, 2014 of complications from diabetes. He was 59 years. old. -TM
aka: FK, FK Always, Director’s Cut (with Eric Kupper)
All Frankie Knuckles News, Tracks and Content
A People’s History of Chicago House Music
In the poetic and robust Chicago House Music: Culture and Community, Marguerite L. Harrold captures the history of house music with the eye of a scholar and the passion of a true believer.
New Frankie Knuckles & Chicago House Music themed mural unveiled in Uptown
The public artwork by artist Max Sansing pays tribute to Frankie Knuckles, house music in Chicago and cult house music label Gherkin Records.
17 Essential Walter Gibbons Remixes
DEL combs though his collection to pick the 17 most essential tracks remixed by the late, legendary disco icon, Walter Gibbons.
Elbert Phillips: Tears
Elbert Phillips & Andre Espeut deliver a sensational cover of the Frankie Knuckles, Satoshi Tomiie and Robert Owens classic
Steve Ostrow, founder of NYC’s Continental Baths, dies at 91
The NYC singer and entrepreneur who gave Frankie Knuckles and Larry Levan an early gig passed away in Australia.
There is one true diva, her name is Kathy Brown and she needs our help
Legendary vocalist Kathy Brown's family has announced that her previously diagnosed lung cancer has spread to her brain. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support her.
For Frankie: Celebrating the life of Frankie Knuckles
There is one official Frankie Knuckles birthday party and it is held in Chicago. And this year it's at Metro & Smartbar.
Some Call It House, We Call It Home: the Story of 3 Degrees
The history of Chicago's 3 Degrees Global collective, representing a missing link in Chicago house music history as told by its members: Jeremiah Seraphine, Forever Monna, Julius The Mad Thinker, Dj-FLX, Priti Gandhi, BIGSEXY and Czboogie.
The Warehouse is now a Chicago landmark
An enthusiastic City Council approved landmark designation for the building where Frankie Knuckles played and where house music was born in Chicago.
Beyond Heaven: Discovering the hidden history of Chicago house music
In Beyond Heaven, Mario Luna and publisher Brandon Johnson collect artwork from more than a decade of Chicago house music history, from the early days of legendary pioneers to lost icons of dance music.
Frankie Knuckles & Juice WRLD murals intentionally destroyed in West Loop
Somebody painted over the Hubbard St. viaduct murals to Frankie Knuckles and Juice WRLD in Chicago. Nobody knows who, or why.
The Warehouse OK’d for preliminary landmark status
It was unanimous and if everything goes right The Warehouse will soon have landmark status in the city of Chicago.
Chicago to consider landmark status for The Warehouse
A meeting this Thursday April 13 2023 will consider granting preliminary landmark status to the building that formerly housed The Warehouse, Frankie Knuckles' first Chicago residency where house music was born.
Made With Love: Ron Trent’s moving tribute to Frankie Knuckles
You have very little time to nab one of the few copies of 7th Heaven, Ron Trent's 2014 tribute to the late Frankie Knuckles.
Site of Chicago club The Warehouse listed as “most endangered”
A Chicago preservation group has listed the site of legendary house music club The Warehouse as one of Chicago's "7 most endangered" buildings and destinations for 2023.
DJ Deeka – RISE vol 4
Strictly Underground Music's DJ Deeka is the DJ for this week's featured mix for 5 Mag's RISE series.
Larry Heard & Robert Owens win vs Trax Records
The Guardian carries the story that the lawsuit by Larry Heard and Robert Owens against Trax Records has been settled.
Electribal Soul: Billie Ray Martin on the fabled lost album from Electribe 101
Originally recorded in 1991, pioneering electronic music band Electribe 101's lost second album, Electribal Soul, is finally released.
We have plans for Frankie Knuckles’ birthday
For Frankie, the annual Foundation benefit is this Sunday at Metro / Smartbar with Ralphi Rosario, Kai Alce, Terisa Griffin, Czboogie, Derrick Carter, Michael Serafini and Garrett David.
How Frankie Knuckles’ reel-to-reel wound up in Abe Lincoln’s library
"The State of Sound" is an exhibit showcasing Illinois artists from Miles Davis to Frankie Knuckles at the Abraham Lincoln presidential library in Springfield.