The exhibit, set to remain on display until January 23rd, showcases memorabilia from prominent Illinois music artists. “…The Land of Lincoln has produced some of the most highly celebrated music in rock history,” reads a description on the website. “Musicians, legendary radio stations, and musical gear have shaped the sonic history of Illinois and the world.”

Items like a guitar owned by Dan Fogelberg, Miles Davis‘ trumpet and the Smashing Pumpkins‘ Billboard #1 award for their album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness are currently on display. Attendees can also listen to a podcast interviewing numerous Illinois musical figures.

Of particular note is a display containing one of Earth, Wind, and Fire‘s costumes alongside a reel-to-reel tape player and turntable belonging to Frankie Knuckles. Often called “The Godfather of House Music,” Knuckles played an important and highly influential role in popularizing the genre in Chicago in the ’80s. In 1997, he received a Grammy Award for “Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical.” He passed away in 2014 at the age of 59 due to complications from diabetes.

For more information on the exhibit, including how to get tickets, on the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum website.

Remastered for an official October release by producer and longtime Knuckles collaborator Eric Kupper, the track will come out as Knuckles’ first release, “You Can’t Hide,” celebrates its 35th anniversary. The announcement was made on August 25th, which has been celebrated as Frankie Knuckles day in Chicago since 2004.

“I Want The Love Of My Own” will be released alongside a slew of remixes from other DJ International artists in partnership with The Frankie Knuckles Foundation. Proceeds will benefit Brave Space Alliance, a Chicago-based Black and transgender-run LBGTQ+ nonprofit center that supports AIDS research, school music programs, homeless LGBTQ+ youth, and other charitable causes. Merchandise from DJ International will also be made available to coincide with the single’s release.

Frankie Knuckles’ “I Want The Love Of My Own” and its remixes will be released in October via DJ International.

In celebration of New Year’s Eve 2020, and the life of late house legend Frankie Knuckles, a 24-hour live stream event is taking place on December 31st within the digital Haçienda. Created in association with The Frankie Knuckles Foundation, the Godfather of House Music’s iconic 2013 NYE DJ set from the iconic Manchester club will be featured in the 24-hour event.

“FKF is so very thrilled to be a part of this exciting event,” said Frederick Dunson of the Frankie Knuckles Foundation. “It’s a great way to end this unprecedented and tumultuous year and a fabulous way to bring in the new year … hopefully one with hope, healing and promise!  Seeing [Frankie Knuckles] again made me reminisce of the numerous New Years celebrations we spent together and brought in across the world … it felt like we were in the booth together again.”

The event will be broadcast via United We Stream with Danny Tenaglia, Carl Craig, Moby, and many others featured on the stream from cities across the globe. It’s free to watch, but users are encouraged to donate with all income from the stream going directly to a relief fund with 50% of funds raised donated to oneGM and 50% to Save The Children, The Frankie Knuckles Foundation, and Peacemeal Manchester, charities chosen by The Haçienda.

To check out the stream, visit unitedwestream.co.uk.

“Carefree (I Am A Star)” showcases soulful vocals and production elements by Frankie Knuckles (real name Francis Warren Nicholls Jr.) with glossy, updated production values that give it a radio-ready quality. Included are remixes of the song by DJ International label boss Rocky Jones, and the other by Chicago DJ and producer Chip E. – the latter of whom famously tutored Nicholls and produced his first original 1987 recording, “You Can’t Hide From Yourself.”

Household Names

Nicholls is often referred to as the “Godfather of House Music” for his instrumental role in shaping the genre. A disco DJ at seminal Chicago club Warehouse, from which some say house derives its name, he was one among the first to popularize the use of drum machines and synthesizers in dance music. He died at age 59 of complications from a snowboarding injury on March 31st, 2014.

Given DJ international’s history in house, the label is a suitable home for the release. Jackmaster 7 will follow installments 1-6 of the compilation series, which came out between 1987-1991, and showcased songs by definitive talents like Larry Heard, Marshall Jefferson, Steve “Silk” Hurley and Farley “Jackmaster” Funk.

DJ International has not announced an official release date for Jackmaster 7 at the time of writing. They will share additional entries from its tracklist over the next two months.