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Mon 24 Oct
Go to main menu derrick may & frankie knuckles – innovator and godfather share the stage
As if after listening to Carl Cox, David Morales, DJ Pierre and Sven Väth among others, the amount of topnotch artists lecturing at the ADE still wasn’t enough, Frankie Knuckles and Derrick May shared the stage on Saturday for one of the last panels of this year’s edition. We heard some heartfelt stories from the innovator of techno and the godfather of house music.
Knuckles suffered from a disease a few years ago, and eventually had his foot amputated because of that. Derrick May: ‘So first of all, it is good to see you back on track. We were in Switzerland together and I noticed you have become a happier person.’ Knuckles: ‘I am back on point. I am a happier person since my foot is gone. I am not in pain anymore. Oh and by the way we were in Glasgow together, not in Switzerland.’ May: ‘Haha ooh man, Switzerland, really? Anyway, it is good to have you back. We need you here.’
Time for some wise words now, as the panel continuous. May: ‘What is it that still keeps you going after all these years?’ ‘In my opinion,’ Knuckles answers, ‘you can never assume that music is a definite fact. It is constantly changing, and so are the crowds I play for. Crowds rejuvenate themselves. I don’t play for the same kids I played for 30 years ago. So for the sake of the music, it is necessary that we keep educating those changing crowds.’
Although Knuckles is one of the key players in the history of house music, he never became a superstar dj like for instance Richie Hawtin or Sven Väth. May asks Knuckles if that bothers him. ‘I don’t get angry for the fact that I am not a big international star, cause it doesn’t change things. I am just happy to be here. Back in the days, everybody wanted to be the next J.M. Silk.’ May: ‘Who is here in the audience today!’ Steve ‘Silk’Hurley stands up and gets a big round of applause.
Some great stories are told by both May and Knuckles, who leave no one unmentioned. Jamie Principle (‘isn’t he the most underestimated house producer of all time?’), Marshall Jefferson, Chip E, Ron Hardy etcetera, they are all being credited this afternoon for playing their part in dance music as we are able to enjoy it today.
At the end of the discussion, Knuckles shares some final thoughts with the audience, all the dj’s and producers in the room. ‘You have to constantly challenge yourself. You can make one big track, and then what? If you are not willing to improve yourself, make way for somebody who is. That is how I feel about it.’