Frankie goes to Dubai

A rebel and a gentleman, the Godfather of House Frankie Knuckles brings his Grammy Award-winning talent to the UAE this weekend More than 40 years in the business and Frankie Knuckles is still working like a mad man. There's not a house head alive who doesn't know the New Yorker, known fondly as the Godfather of House. One thing his four decades of experience have handed him, aside from some fabulous memories, is confidence. Not only in his music, but in his own mind. Having a conversation with Knuckles is a bit like a being in a boxing ring up against an opponent you're sure you're about to come second against. Third, if there's a ref. "I won't entertain the question of a tough crowd," he said. "I've been doing this [DJing] a very long time and most audiences I play for know what they're getting. For those that are maybe new to me, hopefully they'll be mature and open-minded enough to understand the beauty in the music I make. For those who can't handle it, hopefully they'll be respectful enough to not try and derail my performance and throw a damper on the good time being had by others." Okay then. I should have been more prepared, as in two separate responses the American had already described himself as both a "gentleman" and "nobody's clown". Equally, there's something special about a member of the all-too-often nonchalant DJ brigade with morals and values past saying "thank you" after a show. "I respect everyone in this business," said the Grammy Award-winner ahead of his show at Sanctuary, Atlantis, tonight. "I may not like a few, but I respect everyone. It's necessary. When I listen to music, I listen to everything. I may not like it all, but I need to hear it all to better understand who I am as a music DJ and producer." Knuckles started out at New York's Continental Baths with sets of older disco favourites. A big name on the DJ scene, he was also an important music maker. After buying his first drum machine, he set about making his own tracks and by the mid-'80s had several hits including Baby Wants To Ride with Jamie Principle and You Can't Hide. Working with Luther Knuckles continued to work as a remixer through the '90s and into the next decade, reworking tracks by Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Diana Ross, Eternal and Toni Braxton, and in September 2005, the music man was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame for his achievement as a DJ. "I have worked with some great artists," Knuckles said. "But I think the best time I had was working with Luther Vandross. Luther and I grew up in the South Bronx across the street from one another and we used to travel on the subway to school every day. While I was in school for art he was in school for music. We both attended very prestigious public schools for music and art in New York City. "When I left NYC for Chicago in 1977, Luther was a session singer, recording commercial jingles for radio and television. Then he began singing background and lead vocals for various disco acts, ultimately landing his own first recording deal. "As a DJ in Chicago, I played all of his tunes. Fast forward 20 years and I'm asked to remix Power of Love. It wasn't a dance song, so I really needed him to sing it all over again to make it dance floor-friendly. He agreed and came into the studio to work with me. "I expected him to come in the studio with an entourage hanging on his every whim but he came alone. We laughed and giggled when we talked about growing up in the Bronx. He nailed his performance in the first take but humoured me and hung around and gave me a few extra tracks because he didn't want to leave. And I didn't want him to leave either." Knuckles didn't stop there, as arguably his busiest period came in the '90s working alongside David Morales on Def Mix Productions. His biggest hit was Whistle Song, but he also remixed for huge artists including Jackson, Ross, Braxton and Eternal, before winning a Grammy for Remixer of the Year in 1997. "I stand for things that are right and proper," Knuckles said. "It allows other people to live in this world without hatred or prejudice. Spend enough time with me, and you'll really see the ‘rebel' in Frankie Knuckles is a gentleman." What you didn't know If Frankie Knuckles wasn't a DJ, his choice of career may surprise. "Fashion. Menswear. Costume design for stage and screen," he said. "I would spend hours with a sketch pad on my lap as a kid, drawing and sketching various designs that were inspired by the fashion of the day or what I saw in the old films. I'd watch with my mum. It kept me out of trouble, most of the time." Don't miss it Frankie Knuckles plays at Sanctuary tonight courtesy of Ultra Raisani. Tickets, priced Dh150 and Dh100 for women, are available at platinumlist.ae. Doors open at 10pm; for table reservations call 055-1503811.