Warehouse (nightclub) facts for kids

The Warehouse was a famous nightclub that opened in Chicago, Illinois in 1977. It was started by Robert Williams. This club is well-known as one of the places where house music began, especially a style called Chicago house. It became the main spot for this music in the United States, thanks to its first musical director, DJ Frankie Knuckles.

What Was The Warehouse Club Like?

A wide variety of dance music was played at the Warehouse. The main types were R'n'B and Disco. Frankie Knuckles liked to try new things with music. He mixed disco music with European electronic music. People say that the music style known as house music got its name from a shorter version of his club's name.

Where Was The Warehouse Located?

The club was at 206 South Jefferson Street in Chicago. It was set up inside an old three-story factory building. The Warehouse would attract about 500 people. They would come from Saturday midnight until Sunday midday. Most of the people who came were gay Black and Latino men. They loved to dance to the disco music played by DJ Frankie Knuckles. It cost five dollars to get in. The club also gave out free juice and water to the dancers.

How House Music Started at The Warehouse

On the middle floor of the club, DJ Knuckles started to try something new. He would edit disco songs using a special tape recorder. He would change parts of the songs, like the "breaks." This way of mixing and changing music soon became the start of the house music style.

The Warehouse as a Community Hub

The Warehouse became a very important place for people in Chicago. It was especially important for Black gay men. Many people felt it was like a spiritual or religious experience. At that time, many Black gay men felt they did not belong in the religious groups they grew up in. This feeling helped create the special culture at the Warehouse. It was a place where people could truly be themselves.

The Sound of House Music

Chicago house music was very connected to Black gay culture for many years. The Warehouse was a safe place that helped this music scene grow. Black music was a big part of the disco era. It's important to remember how disco was connected to people of color who felt left out. House music grew from disco. It changed disco by making the repeating parts stronger. It also used more electronic sounds.

The Warehouse helped house music become popular. It continued the idea of making music just for the club. This music was for people to truly feel and to create a special dance atmosphere. It was not just about making songs that would be popular on the radio. The strong, steady beat of the bass drum became a key part of house music. Knuckles also changed songs by adding electronic handclaps and special drum patterns. He pushed the limits of how a song could sound. He showed how music could be changed to fit a club setting.

Changes to The Warehouse Club

In late 1982, the Warehouse doubled its entry fee. This made the club feel more focused on making money. Frankie Knuckles decided to leave. He started his own club called the Power Plant. Later, he opened the Powerhouse. Many of his loyal fans followed him to his new clubs.

After Knuckles left, the Warehouse owners changed its name to the Muzic Box. They hired a new DJ named Ron Hardy. He also became very important in developing house music.

Honoring Frankie Knuckles

In 2004, the city of Chicago honored Frankie Knuckles. Chicago had been known for a rule in 2000 that made dance parties without a license very expensive. But in 2004, the city named a street after Knuckles. This street was in downtown Chicago, where the old Warehouse used to be. It is on Jefferson Street, between Jackson Boulevard and Madison Street in Chicago's West Loop area.

On August 25, 2004, the street block was renamed "Frankie Knuckles Way." The city also said that August 25 would be "Frankie Knuckles Day." Barack Obama, who later became President of the United States, helped make this change happen when he was a state senator in Illinois.