Frankie Knuckles started off as a DJ in New York City before he moved to Chicago in the 1970’s. Once there, he began to create his trademark music that pulled from the genres of soul and disco while utilizing repetitive loops of samples that evolved into a genre of its own.

As the story goes, Knuckles was the DJ for the Warehouse, Chicago’s famous nightclub, starting in 1977. Patrons of the club scene fell in love with the sound so much that it spread further than anyone could imagine and became known as “house music” in respect to the club of its origin.

Monday afternoon, at the age of 59, it was reported that Frankie Knuckles died unexpectedly in his home Monday afternoon.

Frankie Knuckles was far from the only prominent figure in house music, which branched over to Europe’s rave scene during the 1980’s, but he was one of the most recognizable with hits like “The Whistle Song.”

House music has gone on to influence many artists in modern day music, from different parts of the country. The city of Chicago went on to name the street where the Warehouse was once located “Frankie Knuckles Way.” Knuckles also went on to produce songs and mix music for the likes of Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.

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