Chicago Goes Frankie Knuckles Way (August 24)

City authorities in Chicago have decreed that August 24th will from now on be known as Frankie Knuckles Day and will be renaming a stretch of Jefferson Highway 'Honorary Frankie Knuckles Way, in homage to the legendary US DJ.

The strip is on the block near Adams where The Warehouse used to be located, the club where Knuckles pioneered house music with a six year residency he maintained from 1977. The council's decision to honour him coincides with a series of free weekly dance events they're presenting in the Spirit Of Music Gardens, every Wednesday from 6.30-9.30pm.

Despite Knuckles' reputation as one of the key pioneers of Chicago house, his first big break came in New York in the mid 70s when he and his friend Larry Levan hooked up with seminal Manhattan promoters David Mancuso and Nicky Siano.

"When we worked at the Gallery (Siano's club) we were doing everything from cleaning the toilets to dishwashing in the kitchen, then towards the end of the night, we'd get to hang out with either David or Nicky in the DJ booth," Frankie told Skrufff in an interview several years ago.

"Then during the week when the club wasn't open they'd show us how to work the equipment. Larry and I really took to it, and they thought, 'these kids are really interested, let's teach them what it's all about'."

Larry Levan went on to DJ at New York's Paradise Garage, while Frankie took on a residency at the notorious gay sex club the Continental Baths before moving to Chicago, where he helped launch The Warehouse (the venue considered by many to be the birthplace of house).
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