The outpouring of love, respect and of course Presidential tributes are a fitting symbol of how much Frankie Knuckles meant to the music world and American underground culture. On June 3rd the city of Chicago will pay its own respects to one of Chicago’s most important cultural figures and one of the world’s most beloved DJs by throwing a special outing for the ‘Godfather’ of house music.

Meeting the challenge the Council department have a lot planned for the short three hour event featuring a line up of close friends, colleagues and local legends in their own right. The free party will host sets from Elbert Phillips, Craig Loftis, Greg Gray, and Mike Winston, each with their own special relationship to the late pioneer:

Elbert Phillips came of age on the burgeoning Chicago House Music scene in the 1980s. From humble beginnings, Elbert would blaze a trail, his DJing has taken him from Chicago to New York and then the world. After being chosen by Frederick Dunson of D/E Entertainment to play at a birthday party for Frankie Knuckles in 2002, Elbert was given the honored privilege to open for Frankie at public and private gigs over the next four years.

Craig Loftis has been dj’ing in the Chicago music scene since 1979. He received a degree in Sound Engineering, and after redesigning the sound system for Frankie’s club the Powerplant, he became Frankie’s personal sound engineer, opening DJ and general manager.

Greg Gray has been playing records since he was 12 years old. Greg got into beat mixing in high school and spent two summers as an intern at the Power Plant while he was in college, under the direction of Frankie Knuckles, solidifying their longtime friendship.

Mike Winston was Frankie’s original opening DJ at the Powerplant and longtime friend. A pioneer in 1970’s DJ underground scene, Mike Winston was one of Frankie Knuckles early cohorts and dj collaborators.

Official details for the event can be found right here