Knuckles began his DJ 'cadetship' alongside legendary DJ Larry Levan at the Continental Baths in New York City where they lived and played until Knuckles moved to Chicago to take the reigns of a new club called the Warehouse.
Along with Ron Hardy at the Music Box and others, Knuckles started mixing this new sound of raw drum machine-based edits that were being created by a fresh-faced bunch of budding producers who relished the 'Punk' music ethos of DIY. Knuckles would mix in this sound with a crateful of Disco, Funk, RNB and anything that moved the crowd which included people like Derrick May who would travel from Detroit to be part of the action.
He then began his production career when a young Jamie Principle approached him with some of his own tracks. The result, amongst others, was a cut called 'Your Love' which some people refer to as possible the greatest House track in the music's rich history.
Knuckles went on to score a huge dancefloor anthem in the 90s with 'The Whistle Song' along with remixing stars like Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Toni Braxton, Lisa Stansfield, The Pet Shop Boys, Diana Ross and more. He also has a street named after him.
He's an inductee in the Dance Music Hall Of Fame and recently returned in a big way with his remix of Hercules And Love Affair's 'Blind', although he really had never gone away.
Mark Murphy Interviews Frankie Knuckles by Spankrecords
No comments:
Post a Comment