Figure · cross-linked record

Frankie Knuckles

DJ whose early career is tied to New York before Chicago

DJDancerResident DJ1970s–2010s8 rooms · 67 connected figures

Biography

Frankie Knuckles is often cited within both New York and Chicago dance-music history. His early career is associated with New York venues including the Continental Baths, before a later Chicago residency that is widely linked to the development of house music. He died in 2014.

Sonic profile

house disco garageChicago houseNYC disco / garage roots

Knuckles is most associated with the development of Chicago house, but his selections are usually traced back to New York disco and garage, soulful, song-driven dance records reworked for the floor. He is often called the 'Godfather of House.'

Rooms they shaped

Better Days

1972–1990 · Hell's Kitchen / Midtown West, Manhattan

ClosedClub

DJ, Given his first professional DJ slots (Mondays and Tuesdays) by Tee Scott when the club expanded to seven nights; departed for Chicago and the Warehouse thereafter.

Roxy

1978–2007 (closed briefly 1989–1990) · Chelsea, Manhattan

ClosedClub

DJ, Godfather of house; guest headliner in the Roxy Saturdays era.

The Loft

1970–2016 · NoHo, Manhattan

ClosedPrivate loft

Dancer, Carried the Loft ethos to Chicago's Warehouse.

The Gallery

1973–1977 (founding date contested; Wikipedia gives Feb 1972) · Chelsea, then SoHo, Manhattan

ClosedPrivate loft

Dancer, Alongside Levan; later the 'Godfather of House.' Died 2014.

Continental Baths

1968–1976 · Upper West Side, Manhattan

ClosedPerformance space

DJ, Levan's best friend; worked Monday/Tuesday daytime shifts while still in high school in the South Bronx; took over Levan's slot; later founded the Warehouse in Chicago.

The World

c. 1982–1991 (licensed from Sept. 17, 1987) · Alphabet City / East Village, Manhattan

ClosedClub

Resident DJ, Held Friday residency after returning from Chicago to New York in the late 1980s; brought early house music to the room.

Sound Factory Bar

c.1992–1997 (as Sound Factory Bar; predecessor Private Eyes at same address c.1988–1992) · Flatiron, Manhattan

ClosedClub

Resident DJ, Friday-night resident; extended the Paradise Garage/Warehouse lineage into NYC's early-1990s underground

Cameo Gallery

2009–2015 · Williamsburg, Brooklyn

ClosedPerformance space

DJ, Played Cameo twice; reportedly told Shah the room's feel recalled early house nights at The Loft. Died April 2014.

Connected figures

People who appear in the same rooms, follow the thread.

Alex Rosner3 shared

Designer

Larry Levan3 shared

Resident DJ of the Paradise Garage

David Morales2 shared

DJ · Resident DJ

François Kevorkian2 shared

DJ · Dancer

Larry Tee2 shared

DJ and promoter behind the Berliniamsburg / electroclash party

Nicky Siano2 shared

DJ behind The Gallery; early Studio 54 selector

Afrika Bambaataa1 shared

Hip-hop pioneer associated with the Roxy

Al Roth1 shared

Owner

Arthur Weinstein1 shared

Owner

Benji B1 shared

Bert Lockett1 shared

Resident DJ

Bette Midler1 shared

Performer

Bobby Guttadaro1 shared

Resident DJ

Bruce Forest1 shared

Resident DJ

Chip Duckett1 shared

Promoter

Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy1 shared

DJ mentored by David Mancuso; a musical host of The Loft

Colleen Weinstein1 shared

Owner

David Leigh1 shared

Promoter

David Mancuso1 shared

Host of The Loft, the invitation-only party

David Piccioni1 shared

David Rodriguez1 shared

Resident DJ

Promoter

Host

Host

Owner

Performer

Grand Mixer D.ST1 shared

Grand Wizard Theodore1 shared

Owner

Owner

Joey Bonfiglio1 shared

Host

John Blair1 shared

Promoter

Josh Sampson1 shared

Owner

Junior Vasquez1 shared

Resident DJ associated with Sound Factory

Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez1 shared

Kenny Carpenter1 shared

Lady Bunny1 shared

Drag performer; founder of the Wigstock festival

Lee Chappell1 shared

Promoter

Loleatta Holloway1 shared

Performer

Louie Vega1 shared

DJ and producer; half of Masters at Work

Maurice Fulton1 shared

Michael Alig1 shared

Club Kids promoter associated with Limelight's Disco 2000

Nicolas Jaar1 shared

Nicolette Krickl1 shared

Owner

Peter Allen1 shared

Performer

Peter Rauhofer1 shared

Resident DJ

Richard Grant1 shared

Owner

Richard Newhouse1 shared

Owner

Richard Ohrbach1 shared

Designer

Robert Clivillés1 shared

Robin Lord1 shared

Promoter

Ruza Blue1 shared

Promoter

Shep Pettibone1 shared

Steve Bauman1 shared

Owner

Steve Greenberg1 shared

Owner

Steve Ostrow1 shared

Owner

Steven Venizelos1 shared

Owner

Tee Scott1 shared

Pioneering garage DJ associated with Better Days

The Juan MacLean1 shared

Timmy Regisford1 shared

Resident DJ of the long-running Shelter party

Tony Humphries1 shared

Victor Calderone1 shared

Vince Aletti1 shared

Dancer

Willi Ninja1 shared

Voguer and dancer, a central figure of ballroom culture