Have you ever wondered where House Music originated and who its pioneers were?
Then, let me tell you. It originated in the late seventies and early eighties at a Chicago nightclub known as the Warehouse, and pioneered by the club’s resident DJ, Frankie Knuckles, House Music grooves to a steady, four-on-the-floor beat, pulsing at 120-130 beats per minute. A phoenix which rose from the ashes of Disco, House was built on a foundation of various elements, such as funky basslines from synthesizers, rhythmic claps, and soulful vocals.
As with all pop music genres, House Music has evolved since those early days in Chicago. It has spawned countless subgenres. Its core – the driving beat, deep bass, and uplifting energy – remains timeless; and infectious.
The Warehouse, Chicago: Birthplace of House Music
If you want to understand House Music, you have to start at its birthplace. Chicago of the late 1970s and 80s wasn’t just about Gridiron and the deep-dish pizza; it was also where House Music first got its heartbeat. Clubs like The Warehouse and Music Box lit the spark that would ignite a global phenomenon. Back then, DJs like Frankie Knuckles weren’t just playing records; they were creating a new language of sound.
This isn’t just about a new style of music; it’s also about the cultural backdrop that bred it. Early House Music was a melting pot of sounds, stirred by the influence of disco, electro, and funk. The unrelenting spirit of these genres gave rise to House’s driving beats and euphoric rhythms that dared you not to dance. It’s hard to overstate the innovation these early House Music maestros introduced, often with limited technology and resources.
Now, when I say pioneers of the genre like Frankie Knuckles, Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley, and Farley ‘Jackmaster’ Funk, I mean the architects of groove. They didn’t just mix tracks; they mixed in soul with the raw energy of the streets. Their fingerprints are still present on today’s electronic music scene, proof that their legacy is as enduring as the genre itself.
As House Music’s rousing beats spilt over from the Windy City and into the vibrant nightclubs of London and the packed streets of New York City, it was clear: House Music was here to stay. Its rapid expansion across the Atlantic forged a new identity that would leave an indelible mark on pop music as we know it.
In my opinion, the story of House Music is more than a history lesson; it’s a living, breathing evolution. Each note played and every beat dropped has contributed to the soundtrack of generations. So, let’s take a look at the icons who carved out their legacies in this ever-adaptable genre. They’re House Music masters – artists who defined a sound and helped invent a culture.
House Music Masters: Artists Who Defined the Genre
In the history of House Music, certain names stand out. These are those architects, the mixers of those pulsating beats and irresistible grooves. Let’s get into some pen pictures of a few of these trailblazers, who not only shaped the early days of House but whose influence reverberates in the pop music we listen to today.
Revered as the ‘Godfather of House Music,’ Frankie Knuckles was instrumental in shaping the genre in the early 1980s. He is first and foremost among House DJs. He is widely credited with giving the genre its name. As a DJ at the Warehouse Club in Chicago, he was the pioneer of the use of drum machines and synths. The use of these instruments laid the foundation for House Music’s characteristic sound.
Perhaps the most authentic Frankie Knuckles sound is Your Love. Finally released as a single in 1986, it had been played in Chicago nightclubs since 1984. It was sampled on Candi Staton’s You Got The Love. It was co-authored with Jamie Principle. Frankie Knuckles died in 2014 aged just 59 due to complications from his type II diabetes.
Ron Hardy was a contemporary of Frankie Knuckles and like him is seen as a legendary figure in the world of House Music. As a resident DJ at Music Box, he too played a vital role in shaping the sound and culture of house music. Known for his eclectic and innovative mixing style, he seamlessly blended disco, funk, and electronic music to create marathon sets that captivated audiences. In 1992, Ron Hardy died at the tragically young age of 33 from an AIDS-related illness.
Jamie Principle is another pivotal figure in the history of House Music. As well as Your Love, he co-wrote and co-produced several seminal tracks with Frankie Knuckles, including Bad Boy and Baby Wants to Ride. Many cite Principle as inspirational. In the 1980s he was revered within the house music community. Marshall Jefferson and Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley were particularly effusive in their praise. He was the full package, from vocals and lyrical style to innovative production techniques, contributing massively to the evolution of house music in the 1980s.
Marshall Jefferson is renowned for his contributions to the development of house music, particularly with his track Move Your Body, which became an anthem of the genre. It is one of the earliest House tracks to feature the piano. His innovative use of sampling and sequencing techniques helped define the sound of Chicago house music in the late 1980s. Jefferson’s music embodies the spirit of House with its pulsating beats, uplifting melodies, and soulful vocals.
In part, Farley ‘Jackmaster’ Funk was responsible for the arrival of House on the UK music scene. In 1986, his track Love Can’t Turn Around, performed by Darryl Pandy reached number 10 in the UK singles chart. However, the track was surrounded by a certain amount of controversy as it was allegedly stolen from Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley’s (credited as J.M. Silk) remixed version of Isaac Hayes’ classic I Can’t Turn Around, which was a huge dance hit in the US, reaching number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.
If Love Can’t Turn Around helped to introduce House to the UK without due acknowledgement of Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley, then his 1987 track Jack Your Body, which reached number one in the UK singles chart, was properly credited to him. He rose to prominence as a DJ, producer, and remixer during the golden era of house music in Chicago. His dynamic productions, characterized by infectious rhythms and energetic basslines, went a long way toward popularising House and solidifying its place in mainstream music culture.
Larry Heard is celebrated for his groundbreaking work as a producer, musician, and DJ. His releases under the name ‘Mr. Fingers,’ such as Can You Feel It and Mystery of Love, are House classics. They demonstrate his mastery of deep, emotive house music. His use of lush chords, intricate rhythms, and dreamy atmospheres helped add a new, ambient, dimension to House Music and influenced countless artists worldwide.
In common with a number of genres from the late 1970s and early 1980s, House music embraced a do-it-yourself ethos. In the case of House, it was the available technology that facilitated this. So, whilst Punk Rock had a raw, unpolished feel, House was anything but raw and unpolished. It was still done without big budgets and overblown studio production.
While these veterans cast long shadows, they are an encouragement rather than a hindrance to new artists. Of course, whilst the genre has a sound and a vibe, it’s not formulaic. House Music follows a template but as its greatest tracks attest, there is much scope for variation and experimentation within the template. With House Music originality is king.
Next up, we’re going to have a look at the creation process for House Music. It includes a blend of the traditional techniques pioneered by the aforementioned masters and the modern tools available.
Creating House Music: Just How Is It Done?
Have you ever tapped your foot to a catchy beat? Well, that’s where it all starts. Producers lay down a 4/4 beat, the heartbeat or base layer of House Music. A kick drum on every quarter note keeps the rhythm strong, steady and uninterrupted, creating that infectious pulse.
On top, the bassline is laid. This is the groove’s backbone. Producers use synths or samples to craft it, aiming for it to be catchy yet allow room for the other elements. The typical tempo and rhythm patterns usually hover between 120 and 130 beats per minute. This is not just about a standard tempo; it’s about the feel that tempo creates – energetic, driving, and above all, danceable.
Then chords and melodies, the emotional core of the track are laid down. This is where the music gets its depth and feeling. We hear chord progressions and melodies that resonate with us as listeners. They’re usually crafted using keyboards or digital audio workstations.
Sampling and sound design are the spices that add unique flavour. Sampling, remember is the incorporation of short snippets – samples – from other songs. Loops are added, maybe the sample is repeated, or sound effects are used to build a distinct atmosphere.
This is where creativity really shines. Just take a minute to listen to Isaac Hayes’ original version of I Can’t Turn Around and see if you can spot what was borrowed to create Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley’s version of the song. And remember, it’s not stealing, if proper credit is given to the original artist.
Arrangement and mixing are like assembling a puzzle. The producer will arrange the elements into a structure that builds up, breaks down, and keeps the audience engaged, and mesmerised on the dancefloor. Then, the mix is done in such a way that each part is heard clearly without overshadowing the others.
The Tools Used to Create the Sound That is House Music
Drum machines, also known as sequencers, such as the Roland TR-808 and TR-909 provided the backbone of many classic house tracks, with their distinctive, punchy sounds helping to define House’s rhythmic foundation. Synthesizers, such as the Yamaha DX7 or the Roland Juno, played a crucial role in crafting the luxurious chords, catchy basslines, and atmospheric textures that define house music’s sonic palette.
Additionally, sequencers like the Roland TB-303 were used, which later became instrumental in the creation of the acid house subgenre, with their squelchy, resonant basslines becoming a hallmark of the style. In fact, the TB303 had originally been designed by Roland as a bass guitar simulator but had failed commercially.
The various elements were recorded using multitrack recording equipment, sometimes laid down one on top (8 track or even 16/24/32/48 track) and then mixed down to a single recording. This was often painstaking and laborious, especially trying to manually synchronise the different elements.
Then came along MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface). This made life a lot easier as it allowed the various electronic elements to communicate with each other, facilitating tasks like recording, playback, and editing of music. It also allowed the precise synchronization of multiple instruments and devices in a music production environment. It was revelatory and played a significant role in the development and production of house music as it allowed for the creation of intricate rhythms, catchy basslines, and atmospheric textures that became hallmarks of the genre.
Time and tech wait for no man, and technological advancements have continued to shape the genre’s evolution with software synthesizers, digital audio workstations, and MIDI controllers providing new tools for producers to push the boundaries of the genre.
Despite these advancements, the timeless appeal of classic hardware remains integral to the soul of House Music, ensuring that its technological roots continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.
House Music Today: A Genre Without Borders
House music, a niche movement in Chicago’s underground clubs, has danced its way onto the global stage. Its influence is everywhere, across countless other genres and artists. House Music was and still is a chameleon. It is ever-evolving and adapting, weaving a rich tapestry of sound that resonates across continents.
Whenever it has met another influence or musical style, its chameleonic and symbiotic nature means that we now have a myriad of subgenres. Six of them spring off the tongue without much effort – Acid House, Chicago House, Deep House, Tech House, and even Tropical House. Each has its own beats, vibes, and audiences.
Of course, House Music has not stayed confined to the clubs – number one hits, be they in the UK singles chart or a relatively specialised Billboard chart – mean that it’s in our everyday playlist. It has become a staple for pop artists looking to infuse energy and danceability into their tracks. Collaboration with mainstream artists has brought House Music to the radio waves and into the ears of those who would never step foot in a dance club.
The genre has become a staple at music festivals worldwide, from Glastonbury via the electric crowds of Tomorrowland to the sun-soaked stages of Coachella. These festivals are cultural phenomena celebrating many different musical genres. A common theme in all three is the joy and unity brought by House Music.
Final point: House Music is incredibly adaptable, and its appeal is limitless and eternal. As it continues to evolve and inspire, one thing is certain: its pulsating beats and hypnotic rhythms will keep people dancing for years to come. It’s more than just a musical genre; it’s a global language connecting the world.