Frankie-Knuckles-Obituary

Frankie Knuckles

1955 - 2014 (Age 59)

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AGE
59

Obituary

CHICAGO (AP) - Frankie Knuckles, a Grammy-winning Chicago disc jockey known as the "Godfather of House Music" who worked with artists including Michael Jackson and Diana Ross, has died at age 59.

Knuckles died Monday in Chicago, the Cook County medical examiner said Tuesday. The medical examiner said a cause of death was not available.

Knuckles is considered a key figure in the evolution of the house music genre, dating back three decades to venues in Chicago and New York.

"When you're as fortunate as most of us working DJs to be able to share our creative blessings with the rest of the world, no matter how great or small, wouldn't you agree that it's best to give the world the best of who you are?" Knuckles said, in a quote provided Tuesday in a release from his company, Def Mix Productions.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Tuesday that Chicago has lost "one of its most treasured cultural pioneers."

Knuckles was born Francis Nicholls on Jan. 18, 1955, in the Bronx. He worked as a DJ in the early 1970s in New York before moving to Chicago in the late 1970s. In Chicago he was resident DJ at the city's The Warehouse club until it closed in 1983.

It was there that he defined House music's distinct style and took on the role of DJ as tastemaker, said Phil White, co-author of "On the Record: The Scratch DJ Academy Guide." Knuckles "defined really what House music was in terms of style," White said. Knuckles even would cut and tape together pieces of reel-to-reel recordings to make extended tracks, he said.

Knuckles went on to have a high-profile a recording career, putting out his own albums on Virgin Records and working as a producer and remixer with many famous musicians. He had a hit with his first album's first single, "The Whistle Song."

Knuckles won a Grammy in 1997 for Remixer of the Year and Chicago named a stretch of road near downtown for him, calling it "Honorary 'The Godfather of Hous e Music' Frankie Knuckles Way." He also was a governor and trustee for the New York City chapter of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

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AP researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Guest Book

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In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

MY DEAR FRIEND , I WILL MISS YOU ALWAYS
YOU WILL FOR EVER BE IN MY HEART AND SOUL, TILL WE SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN

May God be with the family and friends during this time of grief.

Thank god you existed frankie your music was one of a kind which hit the nail on the head every time. Your name was always the first i searched for in cd shops to make sure i didnt miss any new jams by the legendary FRANKIE KNUCKLES r.i.p

Frankie, you were one of the few to be a legend during your lifetime. It still seems like yesterday I danced to your music growing up in Chicago. Your music was enjoyed by many, remembered forever, may you rest in peace.

Thank you for making the best music to grow up on!!!! House music will forever play in my mind because of you. Rest in Paradise Frankie!

Frankie, you've made people closer thru your music. God bless you for the many talents you shared with us. RIP

Rest in Power. Thank you. Job well done..