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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN MEMORY OF FRANKIE KNUCKLES
WHEREAS, Almighty God in his Infinite wisdom has called from our midst, producer and club remixer, Frankie Knuckles; and
WHEREAS, Frankie Knuckles was born January 18, 1955 in the Bronx, New York as Francis Nicholls. As a teenager he frequented the after-hours disco clubs of New York with his best friend Larry Philpot and by the mid-seventies they were both DJs carving out their individual sound in different cities; and
WHEREAS, Frankie Knuckles moved to Chicago in 1977 and rose to prominence as one of the most significant DJs of all time for his prolific style of the electronic dance music culture. He was the resident DJ at the Warehouse night club from 1977 to 1982 and it is widely reported that "house music" was a shortened reference to the music heard at the club where Knuckles developed his sound and style.; and
WHEREAS, In 1982 Frankie Knuckles opened The Power Plant night club and continued to refine his sound of disco classics which came to delineate Chicago house music gaining popularity as far away as England and birthed large dance parties in warehouses known as "raves" in that country. Knuckles joined DJ David Morales in 1983 and co-founded Def Mix Productions, working with an array of diverse artist including En Vogue, Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan, and Diana Ross; and
WHEREAS, In 1991 Frankie Knuckles released "Beyond the Mix", his widely popular debut album of dance mixes and in 1997 earned a Grammy as Remixer of the year, Non-Classical for his club mixes of songs by artists including Mary J. Blige and Toni Braxton, along with many others and garnered a nomination in the same category the following year. Frankie Knuckles continued to keep a heavy DJ schedule throughout his career and participated in the global club and festival circuits. He was an inspiration to a generation, converting young music enthusiasts that never experienced a night at the Warehouse.; and
WHEREAS, Frankie Knuckles brought electrifying remixes to the mainstream and is widely known as the Godfather of House Music. In 2004, as a tribute for his contribution to the city of Chicago and its music the block where the Warehouse stood was given the honorary designation of "Frankie Knuckles Way" ; and
WHEREAS, it is customary for the Cook County Board of Commissioners to applaud the achievements and mourn the passing of individuals among us who impact our lives, culture, and possess outstanding ability.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County pay tribute to this great mixologist, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be tendered to the family of Mr. Frankie Knuckles, "Mix Master" and a copy be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body for the benefit of future generations.
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