Frankie Knuckles dies aged 59
US house music legend Frankie Knuckles has died.
The Chicago-based DJ’s longtime business partner, Frederick Dunson told the Chicago Tribune that Knuckles “died unexpectedly” yesterday afternoon (March 31) at his home.
A pioneer of house – the sparse, electronic dance music that emerged from Chicago in the 1980s – Knuckles was just 59.
He was known for remixing tracks by Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, as well as his own songs, such as Your Love and The Whistle Song.
His death was confirmed by fellow DJ David Morales on Twitter.
“I am devastated to write that my dear friend Frankie Knuckles has passed away today,” he wrote. “Can’t write anymore than this at the moment. I’m sorry.”
Knuckles’ longtime business partner, Frederick Dunson, told The Chicago Tribune he had “died unexpectedly this afternoon at home”.
Award-winning Chicago DJ Vince Lawrence led tributes to the star, writing on Facebook: “A legend has fallen”.
Known as the Godfather of House Music, Knuckles moved from New York City to Chicago in the ’70s where his music career kicked off.
He started DJing in New York alongside Larry Levan before relocating and becoming premiere DJ at The Warehouse. Into the ’80s, he opened his own club called The Power Plant.
Knuckles won a Grammy Award in 1998, and in 2004 a street in his adopted home of Chicago was named after him.
