President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama sent a letter to the friends and family of the late DJ Frankie Knuckles, recognizing his contributions to the city of Chicago and the global music community. In a letter shared on Facebook by DJ David Morales, the first family writes, "We were deeply saddened to learn of Frankie’s passing, and extend our heartfelt sympathies as you mourn his loss and reflect upon his life.” The letter continues, "Frankie's work helped open minds and bring people together,...
- 4/23/2014
- by Lyneka Little
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
Earlier this month, Chicago House music legend Frankie Knuckles died at age 59. Over the course of a 30-plus-year career, Knuckles accumulated a diverse and far-reaching fan base. So far-reaching it included a certain couple currently living in the White House. President Barack Obama, in 2004, when he was still a U.S. senator from Illinois, named August 24 Frankie Knuckles Day. Moved by his passing, the Obamas sent a condolence letter to the friends and family of the DJ, which Knuckles's former collaborator David Morales shared on Facebook. They call him a "trailblazer," whose "legacy lives on in the city of Chicago and on dance floors across the globe." Read the letter in full below.
- 4/22/2014
- by Jesse David Fox
- Vulture
When Frankie Knuckles died unexpectedly yesterday, it sent reverberations throughout the dance community. Though his name may not be as familiar to some as the current rank of superstar dance names, like Avicii or Skrillex or David Guetta, make no mistake about it: Knuckles was a titan and a pioneer. Dubbed the Godfather of House Music, he helped usher in a new era of dance music through such now-iconic tracks as “Tears” and “The Whistle Song.” Hitfix’s editor, Gregory Ellwood, wrote a moving tribute to Knuckles today. I didn’t know Knuckles well, so instead I reached out to some of our mutual friends and asked them to tell me what Knuckles meant to them. Here are their stories in their own words. I kept them all in their entirety and feel like Bill Coleman’s comments give a particular insight and background into Knuckles for those not familiar...
- 4/2/2014
- Hitfix
Legendary music producer Frankie Knuckles has passed away at the age of 59. Knuckles, who became known as the Godfather of House, was a pioneer of the house music movement in the eighties in New York City and Chicago. After forming Def Mix Productions with his friend David Morales, he worked with some of the biggest singers in the business like Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. Knuckles' first break as a solo artist was in 1991 when Virgin released his debut album called "Beyond the Mix"—which featured several major hits like "The Whistle Song" and "Rainfalls." In 2004, Chicago renamed a portion of Jefferson Street, near the site of the original...
- 4/1/2014
- E! Online
He was a creative force in the house music realm and sadly Frankie Knuckles died on Monday (March 31).
The Bronx, New York native had since moved to Chicago and according to his business partner Frederick Dunson, he “died unexpectedly” at his home sometime in the afternoon.
Knuckles’ Def Mix Productions co-founder DJ David Morales shared, "I am devastated to write that my dear friend Frankie Knuckles has passed away today. Can't write any more than this at the moment. I'm sorry."
Frankie, who was 59 at the time of his death, previously told the Chicago Tribune he loved the way house music provided a “safe haven” for people of all backgrounds and orientations. "God has a place on the dance floor. We wouldn't have all the things we have if it wasn't for God. We wouldn't have the one thing that keeps us sane -- music. It's the one thing that calms people down.
The Bronx, New York native had since moved to Chicago and according to his business partner Frederick Dunson, he “died unexpectedly” at his home sometime in the afternoon.
Knuckles’ Def Mix Productions co-founder DJ David Morales shared, "I am devastated to write that my dear friend Frankie Knuckles has passed away today. Can't write any more than this at the moment. I'm sorry."
Frankie, who was 59 at the time of his death, previously told the Chicago Tribune he loved the way house music provided a “safe haven” for people of all backgrounds and orientations. "God has a place on the dance floor. We wouldn't have all the things we have if it wasn't for God. We wouldn't have the one thing that keeps us sane -- music. It's the one thing that calms people down.
- 4/1/2014
- GossipCenter
Frankie Knuckles, one of the pioneers of house music, died at his Chicago home on Monday afternoon, his longtime business partner, Frederick Dunson, confirmed to The Chicago Tribune. He was 59. Knuckles was born in New York City, where he became a disco deejay in the 1970s. He moved to Chicago in the late '70s and helped change the sound of dance music as the premiere deejay at the underground Warehouse nightclub. He is largely credited with helping to build house music - the electronic dance genre birthed in Chicago. He opened up the dance club the Power Plant in 1983, and later traveled the U.
- 4/1/2014
- by Carlos Greer
- PEOPLE.com
An American music pioneer died yesterday. Chances are you never heard of him. His name was Frankie Knuckles and he was the Godfather of House Music. Knuckles was at the forefront of what drove dance music from the mid 80's on. He spinned at the legendary Warehouse in Chicago in the late '70s and and the Power Plant in the '80s as dance music was picking up the pieces after the death of Disco. Over the years he produced such influential tracks as "Tears," "Your Love," "The Whistle Song" and "Rain Falls." His remixes ranged from the club classic "Closer than Close" by Rosie Gaines to the amazing "Where Love Lives" by Alison Limerick to Lisa Stansfield's "Change" (she included two of his remixes on her Greatest Hits) to Toni Braxton's "Unbreak My Heart" to giving Whitney Houston one last dance number with "Million Dollar Bill...
- 4/1/2014
- by Gregory Ellwood
- Hitfix
Frankie Knuckles, the producer known as The “Godfather of House," died on Monday at age 59.
Frankie Knuckles Dies
Knuckles official cause of death has yet to be revealed, however it's been suggested that his passing had to do with complications from Type II Diabetes.
After moving from Chicago to the Bronx in the 70s, Knuckles began spinning at The Warehouse. At this Chicago hot spot is where “house” music – a derivative of the venue's name – took shape. Knuckles later brought the genre with him to his own venue, The Power Plant, in 1983.
Knuckles continued to be a in-demand DJ, and went on to become an esteemed producer and remixer, forming Def Mix Productions with David Morales. Among the artists he worked with were Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan and Toni Braxton.
Twitter Reacts To Knuckles Death
I am devastated to write that my dear friend Frankie Knuckles has passed away today.
Frankie Knuckles Dies
Knuckles official cause of death has yet to be revealed, however it's been suggested that his passing had to do with complications from Type II Diabetes.
After moving from Chicago to the Bronx in the 70s, Knuckles began spinning at The Warehouse. At this Chicago hot spot is where “house” music – a derivative of the venue's name – took shape. Knuckles later brought the genre with him to his own venue, The Power Plant, in 1983.
Knuckles continued to be a in-demand DJ, and went on to become an esteemed producer and remixer, forming Def Mix Productions with David Morales. Among the artists he worked with were Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan and Toni Braxton.
Twitter Reacts To Knuckles Death
I am devastated to write that my dear friend Frankie Knuckles has passed away today.
- 4/1/2014
- Uinterview
David Guetta was greeted by applause from more than 2,000 fans as he launched the worldwide premiere of his new film Nothing But the Beat at the iconic Le Grand Rex theatre in Paris.
The Grammy Award-winning artist, producer and DJ, who attended Saturday's event with his wife Cathy, said: "All my life I wanted this music to be as respected as hip-hop, rock and pop but until this moment, it wasn't.
"It's not only about me; it's about the culture and the position of the DJ."
Nothing But the Beat is a full-length documentary-style film chronicling Guetta's life, career and meteoric rise from underground house DJ to global superstar.
The movie - a collaboration between Guetta and Coca-Cola's energy drink Burn - chronicles how David fused house and electronic beats with hip-hop and R&B to create a sound that has topped charts worldwide.
Told through interviews with Guetta as well as anecdotes from friends,...
The Grammy Award-winning artist, producer and DJ, who attended Saturday's event with his wife Cathy, said: "All my life I wanted this music to be as respected as hip-hop, rock and pop but until this moment, it wasn't.
"It's not only about me; it's about the culture and the position of the DJ."
Nothing But the Beat is a full-length documentary-style film chronicling Guetta's life, career and meteoric rise from underground house DJ to global superstar.
The movie - a collaboration between Guetta and Coca-Cola's energy drink Burn - chronicles how David fused house and electronic beats with hip-hop and R&B to create a sound that has topped charts worldwide.
Told through interviews with Guetta as well as anecdotes from friends,...
- 9/19/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Idris Elba and Usher have been added to the bill of an upcoming Pete Tong pool party in Ibiza. The 'Pure Pacha all gone Ushuaia' event takes place on July 7 at the Ushuaia hotel. Veteran DJ Tong and Usher are joined on the bill by Elba, who presents his 7 Wallace house music project. David Morales and Doorly will also perform. On the following night, Usher returns for 'Pure Pacha all gone Usher' together with Tong, Trentemoller and Sarah Main. Tong said: "Pure Pacha all gone' (more)...
- 7/1/2011
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
Plus, United States of Tara engineers a breakup, Colbert travels by palanquin, CBS needs to pay Pauley Perrette, and guess which governor jogs with a laser-sighted Ruger?
Ron Burgundy has stayed classy all these years, just waiting for someone to decide to give him a sequel. Now that day has come, as Anchorman 2 is set to shoot next year. Even the stars admit it can’t be as good (ha!) as the first one, so they’re just going to go for outlandish.
McDreamy/McSteamy/McNugget or whoever it is that Patrick Dempsey plays on Grey’s Anatomy wants out once his contract ends in a year. I guess the show just isn’t paying enough to cover his hair product anymore.
Two little nuggets from the Spurf™ are that Tina was supposed to have an “Erotica/Justify My Love” number on Glee’s Madonna episode, but it got cut for time.
Ron Burgundy has stayed classy all these years, just waiting for someone to decide to give him a sequel. Now that day has come, as Anchorman 2 is set to shoot next year. Even the stars admit it can’t be as good (ha!) as the first one, so they’re just going to go for outlandish.
McDreamy/McSteamy/McNugget or whoever it is that Patrick Dempsey plays on Grey’s Anatomy wants out once his contract ends in a year. I guess the show just isn’t paying enough to cover his hair product anymore.
Two little nuggets from the Spurf™ are that Tina was supposed to have an “Erotica/Justify My Love” number on Glee’s Madonna episode, but it got cut for time.
- 4/29/2010
- by lostinmiami
- The Backlot
Five installments will be packaged together as Michael Jackson: The Remix Suites I-v, due October 27.
By James Montgomery
Photo: Sam Yeh/Getty Images
The first installment of Universal Motown's expansive Michael Jackson: The Remix Suite project hit digital retailers Tuesday, and already, the label is readying the second edition of the series — and a third too.
Suite II will premiere online September 8 and features some of the biggest names in dance music remixing Jackson 5 tracks: house DJs Frankie Knuckles ("Forever Came Today") and David Morales ("I Want You Back"), superstar DJs Paul Oakenfold and Steve Aoki (both of whom take on "Dancing Machine") and disco don Dimitri From Paris ("I Want You Back").
Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos
Suite III bows September 22 and boasts a lineup of some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B tackling even more J5 tunes. Jackson's friend and...
By James Montgomery
Photo: Sam Yeh/Getty Images
The first installment of Universal Motown's expansive Michael Jackson: The Remix Suite project hit digital retailers Tuesday, and already, the label is readying the second edition of the series — and a third too.
Suite II will premiere online September 8 and features some of the biggest names in dance music remixing Jackson 5 tracks: house DJs Frankie Knuckles ("Forever Came Today") and David Morales ("I Want You Back"), superstar DJs Paul Oakenfold and Steve Aoki (both of whom take on "Dancing Machine") and disco don Dimitri From Paris ("I Want You Back").
Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos
Suite III bows September 22 and boasts a lineup of some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B tackling even more J5 tunes. Jackson's friend and...
- 8/26/2009
- MTV Music News
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