Frankie Knuckles, known as "The Godfather of House Music", died on Monday (31st March) at the age of 59. Tributes have continued to pour in which claim Knuckles was a "pioneer" and a "legendary" figure in the creation of House Music.

Frankie Knuckles
Tributes to the late Frankie Knuckles have hailed him as the "legendary" "Godfather of House".

Knuckles' friend, DJ David Morales, confirmed the news via Twitter in the early hours of Tuesday morning (1st April), stating "I am devastated to write that my dear friend Frankie Knuckles passed away today. Can't write anymore than this at the moment. I'm sorry." Morales has since created a tribute to his late friend and posted a number of pictures of the two together.  Reports, in The New York Times, are suggesting Knuckles died of complications arising from diabetes. However, the assistant to his manager stated Knuckles' cause of death has yet to be confirmed. 

Tributes have poured in over the last three days from fans, fellow artists and the press. Knuckles has been proclaimed a "pioneer" and Rolling Stone magazine stated "he created a way of playing music from disparate genres and making it seem cohesive - it became known as house music; and Knuckles became legendary through his edits, his grace and his style."

Read more: 'The Best Tributes To House Music 'Father' Frankie Knuckles.

Originally hailing from the Bronx, New York, Frankie Knuckles was born Francis Nicholls in January 1955. His stage name Knuckles was derived from a family nickname. Knuckles moved to Chicago in the 1970s and became hugely influential in promoting and defining what is now known as House Music. By the early 1980s, Knuckles' innovative new sound had become so popular on the Chicago music scene he was able to open his own club, the Power Plant, as the BBC reports. He continued to have a successful career for the next three decades and, sadly, a number of upcoming performances are listed on his Facebook page. 

Knuckles is survived by a sister and two brothers. Contactmusic sends their condolences to Frankie Knuckles' family, friends and colleagues.