WE’RE ALL KNUCKLEHEADS…

In the early 70s The Godfather Of House music, Frankie Knuckles, DJ’d at the infamous Continental Baths in New York City, where artists like Bette Midler (aka Bathhouse Betty) accompanied by Barry Manilow on piano and Gloria Gaynor all performed. Knuckles was best friends with Paradise Garage legend Larry Levan and it was from here his journey to international DJ fame began. QX sent our own superstar DJ Alan X to find out more about him ahead of his Lovebox appearance on the 21st July. 

 

Was the Continental Bathhouse as crazy as people make out?

It was quite insane but so much fun! It was a world unto itself. Folks would check in on Friday for a thirty-six hour weekend pass and checkout on Monday morning going straight to work or school.

What do you miss most about your friend Larry Levan from that time?

I miss the ying & yang of our friendship. His silliness. We were like twins. I miss being inside one another’s head when it came to putting two songs together. Early on, technically, Larry was so much better than me but I think I had better taste in music. We’d spend hours learning how to handle sound systems properly.

Do you feel it’s important to go on living life just a little bit extra and to continue carrying a torch for all the friends we lost to AIDS? 

Wow! So many creative people who are no longer with us influenced my life and career. They weren’t just inspirations and mentors to me. They were my friends. I broke bread with them, danced to their music, danced with them, learned how to be a decent man because of them and give my best at all cost, all the time and in the strength of that, keep their musical influence front and center in every musical move I make.

Is the Paradise Garage scene something that stays in your blood?

The Garage was our Alma Mater. It was the place where we all grew into our own. Judy Weinstein, Larry Levan and myself were all kids working under David Mancuso and Richard Long.

How instrumental has DefMix and Judy Weinstein been in your career? 

Supremely instrumental! Judy and I came from the same finishing school: David Mancuso’s Loft.

“I like my bass sound to be like a big fluffy cushion around the foundation of the song allowing everything else to float on top and cut thru nicely”

Tell us how Baby Wants to Ride and the anthem Your Love came about?

I was working at a local record store. I had never produced anyone but Jamie Principle felt I had the ability. I invested all my profits into producing Jamie. I sent the complete demo package to Larry Levan and he immediately took to ‘Baby Wants To Ride’. One of the biggest tunes at Paradise Garage during its final year – the rest as they say is…

Your mixes have such smooth bass – where does that come from?

One of the lessons Richard Long taught me was: “Bass should always be felt and never heard”. That lesson stuck with me throughout my career. By the time I started in production, I knew exactly how I wanted my low end to feel. I like my bass sound to be like a big fluffy cushion around the foundation of the song, allowing everything else to float on top and cut thru nicely.

Tell us about your set at Lovebox. What trax and mixes can we expect? 

I hope to give the best I can with what I’ve been creating of late, with Director’s Cut, with sprinklings of my DefMix history.

Tell us about the new track “Let’s Stay Home” with Inaya Day?

A few years back the subject of BPM came up. The challenge was on and my first tune that facilitated the BPM change was ‘Blind’ by Hercules & The Love Affair followed by Jamie Principle’s, ‘I’ll Take You There’. At DefMix and Director’s Cut we have been on a mission to return a quality product to the dance floors – a return to the days when folks left the clubs with a tune in their heads and a song in their heart. Hence, my new offering starring Inaya Day, ‘Lets Stay Home’.

What are three outstanding personal achievements of your career?

Winning The Grammy, Having a street named after me, and my longevity of 40 years. I never expected to survive as long as I have in this business.

If you could live ONE night DJing all over again which would it be?

I’d have to say the first successful night Larry and I had at Continental Baths. It was magical! It was one of those moments you never want to end.

 

• Frankie Knuckles will be playing at Lovebox 2013 on Sunday 21st July in Victoria Park, Hackney. Midday-10.30pm. www.mamacolive.com/lovebox/

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