Frankie Knuckles: Music world pays tribute to house DJ

The DJ, pictured here in 2007, played in London last Saturday night

Frankie Knuckles, known as the Godfather of House music, has died unexpectedly at the age of 59.

The producer was widely regarded as a pioneer of house music, a genre which emerged from Chicago in the 1980s.

He was known for remixing tracks by Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, as well as his own songs like, Your Love and The Whistle Song.

Following his death being confirmed by DJ David Morales on Twitter, tributes have poured in on the site.

Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac pays tribute to Frankie Knuckles on Twitter

Morales himself said: "I am devastated to write that my dear friend Frankie Knuckles has passed away today.

"Can't write anymore than this at the moment. I'm sorry."

Radio 1 and 1Xtra DJs including Annie Mac and Pete Tong have tweeted tributes to the musician.

Tong wrote: "R.I.P #GodfatherOfHouse Frankie Knuckles R.I.P gentleman genius groundbreaker inspiration blessed to have worked with you. Sad news."

Radio 1's Danny Howard described Frankie Knuckles as a "legend"

Danny Howard, who saw Knuckles perform in Blackpool, said: "You could tell everyone had the utmost respect for him.

"His legacy has continued right through until now.

"It's the work that he did with the likes of David Morales, Derrick May and all those guys that has had an impact on the thriving dance music scene that we see today. We've lost a legend"

Radio 1 and 1Xtra's Mistajam says Frankie Knuckles was "prolific"

MistaJam said: "At some point you will come across a Frankie Knuckles record and at some point in your history you have probably danced to a Frankie Knuckles record.

"He's just been so prolific in the records that he's created and the impact that that's later had."

The DJ also tweeted a series of links to Knuckles' using #RIPFrankieKnuckles, which has been trending in the United Kingdom following the announcement.

Knuckles' longtime business partner, Frederick Dunson, told The Chicago Tribune he had "died unexpectedly this afternoon at home" and that more details would be published on Tuesday.

No reason has yet been given for his death but several music websites have reported Knuckles died of complications from Type 2 diabetes.

Lauren Laverne tweeted that Knuckles' death was "very sad news"

6 Music presenters Gilles Peterson and Lauren Laverne were also among those to pay tribute, with Peterson posting a video of the DJ performing live.

Knuckles was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame in 2005.

In 2004, 25 August was declared Frankie Knuckles Day in Chicago with help from then-senator Barack Obama.

Questlove, who is a member of The Roots wrote: "Frankie Knuckles was so under-appreciated. He was the DJ that DJs aspired to be. True dance pioneer."

House DJ Roger Sanchez added: "I can't begin to count the ways he influenced me but I will never forget."

The DJ was on the bill at London's Ministry of Sound on 29 March, just two days before his death in Chicago.

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