Tributes continue to roll in for Frankie Knuckles, the DJ and producer known as the Godfather of House Music who died expectantly earlier this week aged 59. The news sent shockwaves through the dance music community, especially considering that Knuckles was still regularly filling dance-floors across the globe.

Frankie Knuckles

HitFix Music caught up with soul singer Diane Warren, who worked with Knuckles numerous times. "I was very sad to hear of the passing of Frankie Knuckles. He was a real pioneer and legend and his re-mixes a lot of times were not mere re-mixes but re-imaginings and great productions that made those records become the huge hits they became," she said, "I was lucky enough to have him work his magic on some of my songs, like "Unbreak My Heart" and a number of Whitney Houston ones.  RIP, Frankie. Make Heaven dance."

Songwriter Julie Gold said: "He was a gentle giant.  A humble, warm, gracious person. We shared a panel once for BMI and NARAS.  Some wise-ass kid in the audience asked him, "What I wanna know is how did you get that name?" To which he calmly responded, "My father was Frankie Knuckles." I'm pretty sure he said, My father was Frankie Knuckles AND my grandfather was Frankie Knuckles," but I can't swear to it. Even his wrist watch was giant. He had a giant presence. Just a giant spirit."

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Primarily known for his influential sprawling DJ sets at his clubs The Warehouse and the Power Plant in Chicago, Knuckles was also a sought after producer and worked with Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Chaka Khan, Mary J. Blige, Janet Jackson and Diana Ross.

Knuckles regularly collaborated with friend and fellow DJ David Morales throughout the 1990s. Morales said on Twitter yesterday: "I am devastated to write that my dear friend Frankie Knuckles has passed away today. Can't write anymore than this at the moment. I'm sorry."

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