Music touches the mind, body and soul. Its effects are powerful, and it’s been shown it can improve your health. Listening to the right song at the right time is like peanut butter and jelly. Artists may not be curing cancer, but they’re certainly making life more enjoyable through their art. Here are some classic rave tracks you’ll take to the grave because music, ladies and gentlemen, is timeless.
“In the beginning, there was Jack,” say that to any house head, and they’ll know how to finish the sentence. House music is loved by countless music fans, yet while many take time to go crate-digging for musical gems the history of house music gets lost in the noise. The history of house music started in Chicago during the late 1970s when disco lost its shine and glitter.
House music’s roots run deep in Chicago’s Southside, the city that birthed the genre. Disco’s reign, albeit a short one from 1973 to 1979, came to an abrupt “end” during an MLB game on July 12, 1979. You might be scratching your head, “What do baseball and music have anything to do with each other?” Not much actually, it just so happens that not everyone was happy with the popular dance genre topping charts, particularly some in the music industry. Looking for a way to boost attendance at White Sox games, promotions will always look toward what’s trending to jump on a bandwagon in an effort to attract consumers. Back then, it was the rising disdain toward disco breaking into the mainstream and onto radio formats.
Radio heavily impacted society and its culture, and its formatting influenced music. Radio had listeners and advertisers needed those ears. Knowing that the White Sox were hurting with empty seats, the rock station WLUP “The Loop” approached them with an offer they couldn’t refuse. Comiskey Park (now known as Guaranteed Rate Field), home to the Chicago White Sox, and WLUP hosted a promo night where attendees gained admission to the game for 98 cents if they brought a disco vinyl. Unknown to event organizers then of what would transpire during the double-header, that night is now remembered as the Disco Demolition Night.
As the saying goes, build it they will come. Recognized as one of the most successful MLB promotions to date, Comiskey Park not only had butts in seats (figuratively) but surpassed the venue’s capacity of 45,000. Approximately 70,000 people showed up that night but the majority weren’t there for some peanuts and cracker jacks. The ballpark food and snacks weren’t the only things salty either. WLUP’s disc jockey Steve Dahl had a chip on his shoulder after he was let go from a previous radio gig as the station was switching format from rock to disco. He was also the brainchild behind the game’s promotion. In leading up to the night, Dahl had been fueling the public and promoting anti-disco events.
As the first game of the night ended, Dahl and Garry Meier, blew up a large box of the collected records before the second game. They led the crowd in chants of “Disco sucks!” turning a wholesome family event into a riot. Disco was forced to exit due to people’s backlash, but it found a new home in the underground.
You said you loved my high-hats
Then stripped me out my vinyl
So you could put me on CD
When all you wanted
Was to download meRemember me?
Disco“Remember Me” by Risk Assessment ft. Jemeni G (via Milk & Sugar)
By no means did house music dethrone disco more like it was a phoenix rising from the ashes. Entering a fresh decade, and with the advent of technology also introducing new musical elements that created sounds. Drum machines, samplers and synths drive the sound of house music along with hi-hats, snare drums and deep, rich vocals.
Disco had reigned in discotheques, nightclubs and private loft parties riddled with drugs and alcohol. However, these clubs were built around exclusivity aimed at a wealthy-class (white suburban living folks). House music was the opposite. House music was (and is) inclusive. It welcomed marginalized communities that didn’t “belong” at the chic, trendy clubs. Young, old, gay, straight, black, Latino–identities didn’t matter because house music wasn’t about segregation. Where did these minority members escape to? The Music Box, The Glass House and 178 were some of the places where minority communities found solace and belonging. There was also The Warehouse, and many attribute the origin of “house” music as a shortened version of the venue’s name. Void of glitz and glam and free of alcohol, people were there for just one thing: the music.
Every game has its major players who are respected and admired not only by industry peers but also those who make up its culture. They are the key players in industries who lay the groundwork for future generations to build upon; sports, music, food, business, fashion, art, etc. Frankie Knuckles, known as The Godfather of House, was born in New York, but he was a pioneer of the house movement in Chicago. Larry Heard, Marshall Jefferson, Farley “Jackmaster” Funk and Steve “Silk” Hurley are all house music legends who took inspiration from sounds across the pond. Synthesizing European styles with disco’s remains they laid a strong foundation for house music.
Another house music originator Jesse Saunders, who also forms part of the Chicago-based DJ collective The Chosen Few DJs, was a driving force behind the house music movement. His track with Farley “Jackmaster” Funk “Love Can’t Turn Around” was the first U.S. dance record that topped the U.K. charts. He also recently came out with his second book called In Their Own Words that captures stories from those who lived and breathed the house music culture from its birth. You also can’t talk about the history of house music without mentioning Chicago natives Cajmere (aka Green Velvet) born Curtis Alan Jones and Derrick Carter.
While Cajmere/Green Velvet is associated with tech house, a newer house music subgenre, he’s given the house music community timeless house tracks. They continue to be played, remixed, reworked, re-edited in many modern DJ sets. Carter’s exposure to the first wave of house music (the late 1980s – early 1990s) was from working at Importes, Etc, the first house music record store. He then had a prominent role in influencing house music’s second wave in the mid-90s both as a DJ and producer.
Women also played an important role in house music, and female vocals dominated both waves of house music. Crytal Waters‘ “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)” and“100% Pure Love” remain classics to this day. Robin S‘ “Show Me Love” landed on both dance and R&B charts showing music’s power to transcend labels. It has received several musical accolades, and today is still widely sampled throughout various genres.
Remember radio? Well, everything comes back around. Just as it had incited people to turn their back on disco, this time it was increasing exposure to house music. Chicago radio stations WGCI and WBMX played a major role in spreading house music beyond the underground, secret clubs where it was played. Prominent labels also had their hand at popularizing house music including Trax Records, DJ International and Dance Mania.
The history of house music has strong roots in Chicago. After more than 30 years, the genre continues to bring together people from all identities and places of the world. It has evolved yet kept its integrity standing the test of time. House music is the base sauce in electronic music influencing many modern artists and their work. Steve Lawler packs a deep bassline on his remix of Groove Armada’s “(Time to) Put Up” that combines classic house music elements with an acid house drip. Weiss‘ hook and melodies in “Feel My Needs” released in 2018 bares resemblance to the 1986 record “Love Can’t Turn Around.” Several artists including French artists Tchami and Malaa as well as Tube & Berger have sampled singer, songwriter and producer Ron Carroll’s “The Sermon.”
We used to want to hear that sh*t Frankie plays
At the Warehouse, we call it House Music“That Shit Frankie Plays” by Jethro Heston
Chicago has ushered in a new wave of artists that honor its legacy. The Black Madonna, Mark Farina and Honey Dijon may not live in Chicago anymore but their craft still pays homage to the genre. Looking at other Chicago hometown heroes, Michael Serafini, Eris Drew and Kid Enigma all keep the house music flame alive.
House music isn’t only for the indoors or odd hours of the night either. The annual neighborhood outdoor West Fest gives Chicago residents and visitors a weekend full of house music, food and good times. During the summer you can also break away from the workday for a lunchtime house party at the Daley Plaza. The Chosen Few DJs organize their summertime “old school picnic” known as the “The Chosen Few Picnic & House Music Festival. However, if out and about on a weekend night the underground independent music venue SmartBar is always a sure bet. Even on Sundays when Serafini hosts the weekly industry night QUEEN!
Now that you have a music history lesson under your belt, take a listen to some of the most iconic house music records.
Are you a history buff and want more? Check out these music-focused documentaries that highlight the underground scene everything from raves and clubs to the origins of house and techno.
Green Velvet‘s infamous party brand, La La Land, is coming back to Los Angeles this summer for an all-day outdoor takeover, and we’re giving away two tickets to the show!
As one of the most recognizable names in dance music, Green Velvet has conquered every aspect of the culture. Over the last 25 years, he’s made more than one name for himself, literally. Starting out behind the decks as Cajmere just when house music’s relationship with Chicago was truly beginning, he’s since established himself as a force in every regard to house and techno.
Note: Originally published in February of 2016 and republished in 2017, this article is being republished today in honor of the amazing never-ending list of iconic DJs that have graced our scene with their illustrious art and careers.
Since the beginning of time there have been countless individuals who helped shape the music landscape. In celebration of Black History Month, we took some time to honor some of the most iconic DJ’s of recent times:
*Artists are listed in alphabetical order
Electronic music has undeniably influenced the entire world in an amazing way. Behind the music, there is a DJ who can masterfully orchestrate sounds that hypnotize and captivate the audience. Everyone in this community has a certain sound or a certain DJ that makes them tick; we all have a favorite. Has a DJ ever made you dance so much that everything around you just melted away? Was there a moment when the DJ got you dancing like there’s no tomorrow? We asked the 6AM Group team members: “Who’s your Top 5 Underground DJs?” It’s a very difficult question to answer. There were some phenomenal DJs listed in the answers, but there were a few DJs that stood out a little more than the others. Below are some of the DJs that were named more than once from our results:
Ben Klock: You might see this German techno DJ and producer play at the Berghain in Berlin and all around the world. Ben ranked 6th on RA’s Top 100 2014. He also runs a label: Klockworks. Check out this set from Berghain:
Dubfire: You might also know him as 1/2 of Deep Dish. Label boss to SCI+TEC, he’s a techno DJ with a polished sound. You can always count on Dubfire to kill the dance floor every time with his rolling bass lines and that signature Dubfire effect. Hear what I’m talking about below:
Martinez Brothers: These brothers from the Bronx have made one hell of a mark on the industry. They have been on the road since high school and are definitely emerging leaders in the global house scene. They have held a residency at one of the world’s best clubs, DC-10, since 2011 and show no signs of slowing down. Check out this set from Ultra 2014 Sunday Underground Stage:
Paco Osuna: The man behind Mindshake Records and Club4, Paco is no stranger to the underground. Below is a link where you can listen to this Spaniard throw it down at the Monegros Desert Festival:
D-Nox & Beckers: The German DJ duo consisting of Christian “D-Nox” Wedekind & Frank Beckers have been making their mark in the global electronic music community for the past 7 years. Check out their set below:
Adam Beyer: The family man behind the epic techno label, Drumcode, it’s not hard to see why this DJ was on a few people’s Top 5. Check out his set from the legendary Berghain on Drumcode Radio:
Slam: “Slam instigated Glasgow’s underground house music scene in the late 1980s, going on to be instrumental in the explosion of the UK techno scene, and their quarter of a century exploits have seen them travel far and wide, leaving scorch marks on the dance floor everywhere while taking their uncompromising vision of techno around the world.” Check out this special 4 hour set by Slam:
The next 3 DJs you can consider 6AM Group’s top 3. These next particular DJs were tallied several times. They have influence several members in 6AM Group.
Jamie Jones: The man behind Hot Creations, Jamie Jones has been credited for creating an iconic sound paving the way for a warmer, melodic, deeper side of techno. Jamie Jones was ranked 12th on this year’s RA Top 100. Below is his set from Timewarp:
Cajmere: Curtis Jones goes by several aliases; you might be familiar with Green Velvet, that’s one of them. Hailing from Chicago, Cajmere is a much respected veteran DJ in the electronic dance music community. Click below to hear his set from the Electronic Playground Podcast:
Marco Carola: This Italian DJ had the most votes from 6AM Group team members. Label boss of Music On and leading the biggest underground party in Ibiza, Friday nights at Amnesia. RA ranked him at 17 on this year’s Top 100. At the top of his game, Marco is not going anywhere. Check out one of his sets below:
The above DJs were just a drop in the bucket. There are still several DJs that have not been mentioned that are followed closely by 6AM Group members. DJs like Dixon (RA’s #1 DJ), Claude VonStroke, Carl Cox, Steve Lawler, Hernan Cattaneo, and much more. In addition to all these DJs, there are still DJs out there that have not been discovered. So keep your ears, minds and hearts open. We’ll see you on the dance floor!
