{"id":3009,"date":"2014-04-08T03:31:14","date_gmt":"2014-04-08T03:31:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/?p=3009"},"modified":"2014-04-08T09:09:24","modified_gmt":"2014-04-08T09:09:24","slug":"what-frankie-knuckles-did-for-me-1955-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/what-frankie-knuckles-did-for-me-1955-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"WHAT FRANKIE KNUCKLES DID FOR ME (1955-2014)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"FrankieKnuckles07closeup\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Frankie Knuckles<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I dreaded the day when I would lose the Godfather of House Music. My heart suggests I am selfish to hold on to a life as if that life belonged solely to me especially when that life was not mine to begin with. Although I can\u2019t possess another\u2019s life, I can cherish their treasure left behind. So I\u2019m told.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I wish this could be another blog entry of epic proportions. Perhaps this could be a review of Frankie\u2019s 59 years young birthday bash. A spectacular where David Morales and Louie Vega provided the fireworks at a club on Chicago\u2019s Northside on a blistery January, Sunday night during MLK weekend. I wish this was a moving review of Frankie\u2019s long overdue return to Atlanta. Sadly this is not. So I try to type in mere words what made Frankie my Superman of house music, a sort of sentiment to comfort my dancing feet that mourn. \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"CHICAGOMOVETIX\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Frankie Knuckles commanded a thirty year old dancer to drive ten hours north to the birthplace of house music to attend a two day music festival titled MOVE. The first ever Chicago International House Music Festival featured a list of up and coming DJs along with the who\u2019s who of Chicago and NYC house music markets, all friends of Mr. Knuckles. Everyone gathered at the Charter One Pavilion on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan to experience a relatively unknown DJ from Africa, DJ Glenn Lewis open the event, to see Barbara Tucker parade around with her entourage, to hear Dajae wail, “Brighter Days,” to dance in the rain to Maurice Joshua playing Mary Mary\u2019s \u201cShackles,\u201d to witness Frankie\u2019s longtime manager, Frederick Dunson play the role of P.R. to finesse, to gawk at Jamie Principle sing and play his piano, to be blindsided by Lady D flashing her thousand watt smile as she crafted her funky house imprint, to experience Danny Teanglia close the first night and watch David Morales wolf potato chips while DJing the second night. The dancer stared at the stage awestruck. His two eyes sparkled underneath the starry night. He had arrived. His house music hero would soon take the main stage.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Fourteen years earlier, my young and impressionable ears discovered a new house sound played on commercial radio. I was a fan of house music and commercial house music remixes. Madonna, Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey belted over manufactured four-on-the-floors, courtesy of recording labels. However, this new house sound arrived on radio playlists dressed in a tux rather than Karl Kani. The sound had class. Piano riffs, warm chords, orchestrated strings and a Hammond B-3 all sounded like Holy Ghost music made for Saturday nights. And I was thirsty for more. I soon discovered the sound’s architect while reading the linear notes on back of a CD maxi-single sleeve. \u00a0His moniker, Frankie Knuckles, his crew, Def Mix. \u00a0I became obsessed; a Frankie feign. I was Frankie this and Frankie that. I even dreamed of working with the guy in a recording studio remixing this song and that song. \u00a0At the age of sixteen, this Midwestern boy had not-a-clue of club land-to me The Sound Factory was just a remix title-<\/em>as the skeletal structures of the Warehouse and Power Plant stood only four hours away by automobile.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

You see, I sneaked into Frankie\u2019s threshold through transmitted airwaves. Smooth Jazz stations played \u201cThe Whistle Song.\u201d BET played the video. \u201cTears\u201d played on late night weekend radio mix shows.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Thankfully, Frankie\u2019s remixes were released at speeds faster than compact discs were pressed. Who can forget the first time hearing the Sounds Of Blackness \u201cThe Pressure (Part 1)\u201d (Classic 12 Mix)? My favorites; Lisa Stansfield\u2019s \u201cChange,\u201d Vanessa Williams\u2019 \u201cComfort Zone,\u201d En Vogue\u2019s \u201cYou Don\u2019t Have To Worry,\u201d Chante Moore\u2019s, \u201cThis Time,\u201d Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson\u2019s \u201cThe Best Things In Life Are Free,\u201d Michael Jackson\u2019s \u201cRock With You,\u201d Quincy Jones\u2019 \u201cStomp\u201d and Toni Braxton\u2019s \u201cUn-break My Heart.\u201d Even Michael Bolton and Ace of Base could not escape Frankie\u2019s re-touch. His music would be highly-regarded and heavily revered by the Gramophone Recording And Modern Music with a win in the Remixer of The Year, Non-Classical category. At the close of the century, the Def Mix sound defined 1990\u2019s house music and Frankie Knuckles emerged as, \u201cThe Godfather of House Music.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"FrankieKnuckles07\"<\/a><\/p>\n

On May 25, 2007, my last day of working with obnoxious eighth graders, I received the best gift that any Frankie fan could ever receive, a night with Frankie Knuckles. The Godfather was scheduled to make a rare appearance in Atlanta. I took this as God\u2019s blessing for having to put up with rudely adolescents for an entire school year. That night, I dressed in head to toe white. After a lengthy debate with myself, I left my white fedora in the car. I figured I would have no need for the head piece. Fail<\/em>. After paying the twenty dollar door fee I walked into the night club. My eyes bucked at the spacious almost empty wooden floor. I checked my phone, 11:00 pm. Still early. Frankie was already in the mix, painting the landscape with his signature sound. What a treat, no opening DJ but four hours of unadulterated Frankie. My ears fell victim to the music. Kim English singing \u201cC\u2019est la Vie\u201d (Scott Wozniak Mix) aroused me to walk through the foyer\u2019s door and dance straight into the arms of the dance floor’s embrace. I felt loved!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Shakira and Beyonce sang \u201cBeautiful Liar,\u201d The Pussycat Dolls whined \u201cStickwitu,\u201d Marc Evans crooned \u201cThe Way That You Love Me\u201d (Dim\u2019s T.S.O.P Version), DJ MeMe provided the disco on Fish Go Deep\u2019s \u201cCure and Cause\u201d while Kenny Bobien declared \u201cI Shall Not Be Moved.\u201d Frankie had that knack of mixing fragments; the commercial with the white labels, house with disco and the sacred with the secular into one cohesive catalog, much like his remixes.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The minister of music stood perched in the DJ booth high off the dance floor. You could get a nose bleed staring up that high for too long. Being a seasoned professional, Frankie drew the dancing mass into an act of intimate engagement. Be it alumni house heads sporting \u201cI heart NY logos,” Chicago\u2019s Southsiders head bopping, current B-boys spinning and former rave girls twirling, blue-eyed blonde haired gays yelling, and big mommas swinging weaves, everyone danced to Frankie\u2019s \u201cThe Whistle Song\u201d with bright smiles.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

At ten to three the music stopped. Surprise! Frankie\u2019s devotees received a heart attack; a chance to meet and greet the amiable legend. My moment had arrived. I shook my hero\u2019s hand and all I could muster from the depths of my heart was a shaky, \u201cThank you for coming to Atlanta.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

What Frankie Knuckles Did For Me<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Frankie was there to comfort me after MJ\u2019s death. On July 3, 2009, days after MJ\u2019s tragic news shocked the world, I ventured to Chicago. I contemplated the trip. I had no funds, no prospects and little hope. Besides, I was in no mood for dancing, loud music or MJ tributes. However, I felt compelled to trek east on Interstate 90 to the Green Dolphin\u2019s Boom Boom Room. As usual I arrived early. So I waited outdoors. I listened to the sounds of muffled bass ricochet off the inner walls. \u201cBa Da Do Do Do, Ba Da Do Do Do.\u201d I recognized the Eddy Grant sampled bass line playing inside the club. As a teenager, I had played the same bass line over and over again.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I paid the door fee and entered the empty foyer. Frankie was playing Michael Jackson\u2019s \u201cIn The Closet.\u201d Here I am in shambles and not wanting to hear any of MJ\u2019s music. Yet, Frankie welcomed me into the club with his very own Mission Mix. Talk about chivalry. Chills surged up my spine. How could I not return the favor? So I willed my feet to shuffle from right to left. I stretched my arm muscles allowing my body to warm up to the knocks and slams of closet doors. Frankie had got the best of me.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

If that sneaky move weren’t enough, hours later when the room swiveled in circular motion and the brick walls dripped perspiration; Frankie would floor me. He played \u201cYou Are Not Alone;\u201d the eleven minute MJ tribute brought the house down with tears. To hear the Godfather of House play his Franctified remix, a befitting tribute, to the King of Pop was cemented in my memory forever.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I left Green Dolphin forever changed. I proclaimed that I would make it out of that challenged-filled season a victor. See, this is what Frankie did for me. Frankie created and played the music that uplifted me to higher heights, he called my spirit to soar with the angels and he challenged my feet to dance a different dance.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Through the years, I waited for Frankie\u2019s return to play in Atlanta. In hindsight the hope kept me dancing through the years. I often thought, \u201cSoon Frankie will yet again bless this city with his most precious gift, house music.\u201d After all, Frankie said, \u201cI love playing in Atlanta. I will play here again.\u201d That\u2019s what Frankie told me that special night when I first met him years earlier. Sure every DJ promises to play in your city, again. Naivety believes this promise comforts fans; the jaded believes a DJ is really saying \u201cfuck off\u201d and \u201cget outta my face.\u201d But no, Frankie was not the latter. The Godfather was more humble than god-plex. He was more approachable than distant. He smiled when he had reason(s) to frown. Frankie could have turned his back and gave you the hand. But no, his best attributes were that he never gave up on house music and he never gave up on you. After the recording industry went digital and their calls for remixes stopped, he crafted his Director\u2019s Cut guise with fellow DJ\/producer\/writer\/remixer Eric Kupper. He churned out purchasable downloads of remixes and original material of Whitney Houston\u2019s, \u201cMillion Dollar Bill,\u201d The Jackson 5\u2019s \u201cForever Came Today, Lil Louis\u2019 \u201cFable,\u201d Candi Staton\u2019s \u201cHallelujiah Anyway,\u201d B Slade\u2019s \u201cGet Over U,\u201d and Inaya Day\u2019s \u201cLet\u2019s Stay Home.\u201d Even after facing medical conditions that would have wheelchair other DJs into retirement; he toured the world. Frankie pumped his blood into the heart of soulful house music until the very end. Frankie was that man. The man that I will never have the pleasure to see or hear play live again.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Words by AJ Dance<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Fb-Button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>
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Frankie Knuckles I dreaded the day when I would lose the Godfather of House Music. My heart suggests I am selfish to hold on to a life as if that life belonged solely to me especially when that life was not mine to begin with. Although I can\u2019t possess another\u2019s life, I can cherish their […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3012,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1],"tags":[202,8,239,198,146,7],"class_list":["post-3009","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","tag-chicago","tag-deep-house-music","tag-disco","tag-frankie-knuckles","tag-gospel-house","tag-house-music"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/FrankieKnuckles07closeup.jpg?fit=580%2C705&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2JDhj-Mx","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2436,"url":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/frankie-knuckles-26-05-07\/","url_meta":{"origin":3009,"position":0},"title":"FRANKIE KNUCKLES 26.05.07","author":"ajdance","date":"May 27, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "Events"","block_context":{"text":"Events","link":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/category\/events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/FrankieKnuckles07-940x1548.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/FrankieKnuckles07-940x1548.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/FrankieKnuckles07-940x1548.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2461,"url":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/chicago-move-22-23-07-06\/","url_meta":{"origin":3009,"position":1},"title":"CHICAGO MOVE! 22-23.07.06","author":"ajdance","date":"July 24, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "Events"","block_context":{"text":"Events","link":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/category\/events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/CHICAGOMOVETIX-580x505.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/CHICAGOMOVETIX-580x505.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/CHICAGOMOVETIX-580x505.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3158,"url":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/ten-reasons-how-disclosure-ruled-house-music-in-2014-while-you-slept\/","url_meta":{"origin":3009,"position":2},"title":"Ten Reasons How Disclosure Ruled House Music In 2014 While You Slept.","author":"ajdance","date":"December 22, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"The UK lads ruled house music and deep house music in 2014. \"WHO?\" \u00a0You house music purists ask. \u00a0Here are ten reasons how they accomplished this accolade while you slept. 10. 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