Frankie Knuckles, a pioneer of house music, has died aged 59, reportedly due to complications from Type II diabetes.
Knuckles is widely considered to have been a leading figure in the emergence of the house music genre in the US and UK in the 1980s, and tributes have poured in from artists and producers around the world, praising his influence on modern music.
R.I.P #GodfatherOfHouse Frankie Knuckles R.I.P gentleman genius groundbreaker inspiration blessed to have worked with you. Sad news.
— Pete Tong mbe (@petetong) April 1, 2014
Frankie Knuckles RIP never forget seeing him in Tokyo playing this at Yellow. https://t.co/rQQ49K6OGF
— Gilles Peterson (@gillespeterson) April 1, 2014
I am devastated to write that my dear friend Frankie Knuckles has passed away today. Can't write anymore than this at the moment. I'm sorry.
— David Morales (@DJDavidMorales) April 1, 2014
Really sad to hear about Frankie Knuckles. RIP.
— Steve Angello (@SteveAngello) April 1, 2014
Words Cannot describe the love i have for Frankie Knuckles he's been a friend a mentor & is a true pioneer in House Music, !
— Junior Sanchez (@juniorsanchez) April 1, 2014
Knuckles, whose real name was Frank knuckles Jr, was DJing around the world up until his passing, most recently playing at the Ministry of Sound in the UK on Saturday. He’d also recently published an archive mix on XLRBR.
Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Knuckles moved to Chicago in 1977 to DJ at the infamous Warehouse club. The music he and his peers was spinning night after night at Robert Williams’ club became so popular that clubbers would ask for “house music” at record stores, referring to the records they had heard at Warehouse – and the name stuck.
