Frankie Knuckles Dead at 59

DJ and music producer Frankie Knuckles, lauded as the "Godfather of House" music, died Monday (March 31) at the age of 59.

Although an official cause of death has not been released, his passing was reportedly brought on by complications from Type II Diabetes.

After hearing news of his death, many took to social media to pay their respects. "A legend has fallen. All hail Knuckles an inspiration to us all," wrote Chicago DJ Vince Lawrence via Facebook late Monday.

Roots drummer Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson tweeted, "jesus man. Frankie Knuckles was so under-appreciated. he was the dj that dj's inspired to be. true dance pioneer."

Born in 1959, the pioneering DJ began his career spinning soul, disco, and R&B music at New York City nightclub The Warehouse. He relocated to Chicago in the late 1970s and opened his own club, The Power Plant in 1982.

In 1997, Knuckles won a Grammy in the Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical category, and in 2004 a street in the Windy City was renamed Frankie Knuckles Way.

The next year, Knuckles was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame.

By Latifah Muhammad (bet.com)