US President Barack Obama has written to the friends and family of Frankie Knuckles to pay tribute to the late DJ and producer, who died earlier this month.
Known as the ‘Godfather Of House’, Knuckles was widely credited with being one of the founders of the post-disco Chicago house scene. He is believed to have died from complications with diabetes.
A letter addressed to the friends and family of Knuckles was sent on April 17 from Obama and his wife Michelle and shared today (April 22) by DJ David Morales on Facebook. Obama, who was a United States Senator in Illinois prior to his election to president, wrote: “Frankie’s work helped open minds and bring people together, blending genres to capture our attention and ignite our imaginations.”
The letter continues: “He was a trailblazer in his field, and his legacy lives on in the city of Chicago and on dancefloors across the globe.”
Artists from across the musical spectrum, including Disclosure, Yannis Philippakis of Foals, Wu-Tang Clan and Jagwar Ma, all paid tribute to Knuckles following his death.