Frankie Knuckles Mixes

Frankie Knuckles’ nearly six year stint at the Warehouse had a huge influence on Chicago’s dance music scene. Robert Williams encouraged Knuckles to move from New York to Chicago in 1977 to headline his new after-hours juice bar, the Warehouse, at 206 S. Jefferson Street. Knuckles became famous for spinning disco edits alongside the latest underground cuts.

In December 1982, Knuckles moved to the Power Plant just as local producers started making recordings. There Knuckles began collaborating with Jamie Principle on a series of songs, the first of which were issued on Persona Records. The Power Plant closed suddenly in late 1985, after which Knuckles spun briefly for WBMX, Medusa’s, the Power House, Coconuts, and Gallery 21. In 1987, with house music climbing the British pop charts, Knuckles left for London. After a few months, he returned to New York to focus on production work as part of Def Mix, ultimately winning a Grammy for Remixer of the Year in 1997. Knuckles passed away March 31, 2014.

Below are tracklists compiled from early mixes found at DeepHousePage.com and other sources. They illustrate the wide range of music Chicago youth called “house.” Additions and corrections are welcome.

Key:
Chicago
Detroit
Europe

Updated Oct 21, 2024
Photo credit: A Thousand Words Unlimited (Gay Life May 15, 1981)

5. frankie1

1986-1987
Source: DeepHousePage

Nightlife Unlimited: Peaches & Prunes (edit)
Chip E.: It’s House
House People: Godfather of House
Farley Jackmaster Funk: Farley Knows House
The It: Donnie
Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Relax (Sex Mix)
Craig Loftis: Yes It’s Right (unreleased)
David Joseph: You Can’t Hide (Your Love From Me)
Mr. Fingers: Mystery of Love

26. frankie5

WBMX ~1988
Source: DeepHousePage

Leonore O’Malley: L’amour Toujours
Ripple: The Beat Goes On and On
Anthony White: Block Party
Love Committee: Law and Order

41. frankiew

Live at the Warehouse, 1982
Source: DeepHousePage

Yello: Bostich
Forrrce: Keep on Dancin’ (Phase II) [intro]
Taana Gardner: When You Touch Me
Billy Nichols: Give Your Body Up to the Music
Peech Boys: Don’t Make Me Wait
Sparque: Let’s Go Dancin’
Loose Joints: Is It All Over My Face
People’s Choice: Hey Everybody (Party Hearty)
Forrrce: Keep On Dubbin’ (With No Commercial Interruptions) [Surfaris: Wipe Out intro]
Hi Voltage: Somewhere Beyond
Skatt Bros.: Walk The Night
D-Train: Keep On

49. frankie8

WBMX 8/30/1986
Source: DeepHousePage

Pam Todd & Love Exchange: Let’s Get Together
Heaven & Earth: I Really Love You
Positive Force: We Got the Funk
Brass Construction: Walkin’ the Line
Raze: Jack The Groove
Jamie Principle: Your Love (edit)
Patrice Rushen: Haven’t You Heard
Patrice Rushen: Never Gonna Give You Up
Raww: Don’t You Try It

59. frankie10

Power Plant, 1984-1985
Source: DeepHousePage

Chi Chi Liah: Proud Mary
Broadway: Kiss You All Over
ADC Band: More & More Disco
Wood, Brass & Steel: Funkanova
Crown Heights Affair: Far Out
The Originals: Down to Love Town (break)
Johnny Hammond: Los Conquistadores Chocolates
The Trammps: Disco Party (edit)
The Trammps: Disco Inferno
Bo Kool: (Money) No Love
East Coast: Meat The Beat
Suzi Lane: Harmony
Kebekelektrik: War Dance
Tata Vega: I Just Keep Thinking About You Baby

Frankie Knuckles ‘Live’ @ The Warehouse, Chicago 1979′, DHP 85. frankie13 [partial]

[likely recorded later]
Posted by DJ M-TRAXXX

Ecstasy, Passion & Pain: Touch and Go (Accappella/New Mix)
Pam Todd & Love Exchange: Let’s Get Together
Two Tons of Fun: Just Us
Billy Frazier & Friends: Billy Who?
Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band: Cherchez La Femme
Loleatta Holloway: Hit and Run
Double Exposure: My Love Is Free (Disco Madness remix)
Made In USA: Melodies
The Jackson 5: Forever Came Today
The Originals: Down to Love Town (break)
Teddy Pendergrass: The More I Get [edit]
The Three Degrees: Dirty Ol’ Man [Patti LaBelle: The Spirit’s In It intro]
Loleatta Holloway: Dreamin’ [edit or 2 copies]
Patti LaBelle: The Spirit’s In It
Montana: Seventh Movement: The Conversation (Close Encounters Of The Third Kind) [edit or 2 copies]/Grand Finale: When You Wish Upon A Star
MFSB: Love Is the Message
The Salsoul Orchestra: You’re Just the Right Size
MFSB feat. The Three Degrees: T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia)
The Ritchie Family: Brazil

142. frankie92

Live at Club C.O.D, [late] 1980s
Source: DeepHousePage

Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: Bad Luck [echo]
Side Effect: Always There
Fingers Inc.: A Path
B.T. Express: Peace Pipe (edit)
Shawn Christopher: People of All Nations (House Mix)
Don Armando’s Second Avenue Rhumba Band: Deputy of Love (edit)
Sylvester: Living for the City (Dub Version)
Harry Thumann: Underwater

173. frankie102

First WBMX mix ’80s
Source: DeepHousePage

Jimmy “Bo” Horne: Spank/The Whispers: And the Beat Goes On (edit)
Fingers Inc.: It’s Over
Willie Colón: Set Fire to Me (Inferno Dub)
J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around

1979 – Frankie Knuckles – Live @ Warehouse, DHP 194. frankie120, 8. frankie2

[likely recorded later]
Source: Drewski’s Mixes Database

intro
The Whatnauts: Help Is on the Way (break)
Le Pamplemousse: Le Spank
Rose Royce: Do Your Dance (edit)
Skyy: First Time Around
B.T. Express: Give Up The Funk (Let’s Dance)
Queen Samantha: Take A Chance
Steve Harvey: Tonight (Dub Mix)
Rodney Franklin: The Groove
Roy Ayers Ubiquity: Running Away
Chaka Khan: I’m Every Woman
Stevie Wonder: Do Like You
The Trammps: Body Contact Contract
The Trammps: Love Epidemic
Two Tons of Fun: I Got the Feeling
Broadway: Kiss You All Over

253. frankie702

Live at the Warehouse, 1982
Source: DeepHousePage

Talking Heads: I Zimbra
Elektrik Funk: On a Journey (I Sing The Funk Electric)
Sharon Redd: Beat the Street
Jocko: Rhythm Talk

272. frankie847

Live at the Power Plant, 1980s
Source: DeepHousePage

Giorgio Moroder: E=MC²
Giorgio Moroder: I Wanna Rock You
Jungle Wonz: The Jungle
Frankie Knuckles: You Can’t Hide (House Beats)
Carolyn Harding: Memories (B1)
Virgo: Go Wild Rhythm Trax A1
Robert Owens: Bring Down the Walls
J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around
Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: The Love I Lost
Jamaica Girls: Somebody New

330. frankie1015, 360. pplant2.rm

Live at the Power Plant, 1984
Source: DeepHousePage

Dolos: Night So Right
Affinity: Don’t Go Away (Runaway Dub)
The Players Association: Love Hangover
Double Exposure: My Love Is Free
The Salsoul Orchestra feat. Loleatta Holloway: Runaway
Herbie Hancock: Stars In Your Eyes
Enchantment: Settin’ It Out
Forrest: She’s So Divine (The Trix)
Victor: Go’ on Do It

373. frankie108

Live at the Power Plant, 1983
Source: DeepHousePage

Tia Monae: Don’t Keep Me Waiting
The Maniacs: Sweet Ladies (Instrumental)
Tony Cook & The Party People: On the Floor
Pushe: Don’t Take Your Love Away
Sinnamon: Thanks to You
Fresh Band: Come Back Lover (Dub Mix)
Persia: Inch by Inch (reversed)
Powerline: Double Journey
Bruce Johnston: Pipeline
Logg: Dancing into the Stars
Logg: You’ve Got That Something

394. gallery21a

Live at Gallery 21, 1987
Source: DeepHousePage

K.I.D.: Hupendi Muziki Wangu?! (You Don’t Like My Music)
James Wells: True Love Is My Destiny
Exodus: Together Forever (Dub)
Change: Glow of Love
Ian Dury/The Seven Seas Players: Spasticus Autisticus(Version)
Mike T: Do It Any Way You Wanna
Don Ray: Standing In The Rain
General Johnson: Can’t Nobody Love Me Like You Do
Trussel: Love Injection

406. frankiebmx [missing first track], 33. frankie6.rm [partial],
1062. WBMX1985MickeyOliverFrankieKnuckles.mp3 [partial]

WBMX, Saturday Night Dance Party 1985
Source: DeepHousePage

Central Line: Walking Into Sunshine
Cheryl Lynn: You Saved My Day (edit)
Billy Ocean: Nights (Feel Like Gettin’ Down)
Willie Colón: Set Fire to Me (Latin Jazz Combo Version)
Fingers Inc.: Never No More Lonely [early version?]
Marshall Jefferson and On The House: Move Your Body
Frankie Knuckles: You Can’t Hide (House Beats)
Farley Jackmaster Funk: Farley Knows House
Persia: Inch by Inch
The Strikers: Inch by Inch (Instrumental)
Tamiko Jones: Can’t Live Without Your Love

481. frankie86

Live at Sauers, Chicago, 1986
Source: DeepHousePage

Chip E.: Time to Jack [?]
Adonis: No Way Back (Instrumental)
Fingers Inc.: It’s Over
Princess: After the Love Has Gone (DJ Bad Mix)
Tullio De Piscopo: Stop Bajon
Janet Jackson: Let’s Wait Awhile
Janet Jackson: Funny How Time Flies (When You’re Having Fun)
Womack and Womack: Baby I’m Scared of You

529. frankie1987 (Frankie Knuckles WBMX 1987),
158. frankie100.rm [partial]

WBMX 1987
Source: DeepHousePage

One Way feat. Al Hudson: Music
Sterling Void: Take It Higher
Robert Owens: Bring Down the Walls
Philly Cream: Love Can’t Turn Around
J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around (House of Trix Mix)
On the House with Marshall Jefferson: Ride the Rhythm (Instrumental) (Remix)
Colonel Abrams: Speculation (Woo Woo Version)
Frankie Knuckles: It’s A Cold World
On The House: Pleasure Control (Instrumental)
Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: The Love I Lost

Frankie Knuckles recorded @ the PowerPlant summer 1984, 561. frankiepp1984b [partial]

Posted by William H Jones IV

Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Relax
Skatt Bros.: Walk The Night
Candido: Jingo
beats
Jamie Principle: Your Love
Torch Song: Prepare To Energize (The Fong Test) (8 Track Version)
The Originals: Down to Love Town
Visual: The Music Got Me (Mastermix)
Giorgio Moroder: E=MC²
First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (edit of Disco Madness remix/Frankie Knuckles mix)
Lefturno: Out of Sight
Convertion: Sweet Thing
One Way: Shine on Me (M&M Mix)
Jamie Principle: I’m Gonna Make You Scream
T.J. Swann & Company: Get Fly (Part 2)
MFSB: Love Is the Message/Martin Luther King Jr. acapella
Loleatta Holloway: Love Sensation

Frankie Knuckles Mix 1985 Pt1

[part 2 same as frankieknuckles1985rc]
Posted by Zernell (grimyedits)

Front Line Orchestra: Don’t Turn Your Back on Me
Fantastic Four: I Got To Have Your Love
K.I.D.: Hupendi Muziki Wangu?! (You Don’t Like My Music)
Klein & M.B.O.: The MBO Theme
Chip E.: MB Dance
Kleeer: I Love to Dance
Love Committee: Pass the Buck
MFSB: Love Is the Message

565. frankieknuckles1985rc (frankieknuckles1985-)

Power Plant, 1985
Source: DeepHousePage

MFSB: Love Is the Message
Love Committee: Law and Order
Love Committee: Just as Long as I Got You
The O’Jays: I Love Music (edit)
Goody Goody: It Looks Like Love
The Three Degrees: Dirty Ol’ Man
T.S. Monk: Stay Free of His Love
Klein & MBO: I Love You
Dee Dee Bridgewater: Bad for Me (edit)
Kleeer: Keep Your Body Workin’
Harry Thumann: Underwater
Tia Monae: Don’t Keep Me Waiting

591. frankieanniv

Power Plant 2nd anniversary, Dec. 1984
[same West End records medley as in mix 41]
Source: DeepHousePage

Inner Life: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Kikrokos: Life Is A Jungle (edit)
Fantastic Aleems: Get Down Friday Night (Special Remix)
Jackie Moore: This Time, Baby
Serious Intention: You Don’t Know
The Jackson 5: Forever Came Today
David Joseph: You Can’t Hide (Your Love From Me)
Billy Nichols: Give Your Body Up to the Music
Peech Boys: Don’t Make Me Wait
Sparque: Let’s Go Dancin’
Loose Joints: Is It All Over My Face
People’s Choice: Hey Everybody (Party Hearty)
Forrrce: Keep On Dancin’
John Rocca: I Want It to Be Real (Instrumental)

808. frankiewarehouse1981a

Live at The Warehouse, Chicago 8/28/1981
Source: DeepHousePage

Skatt Bros.: Walk The Night
Giorgio Moroder: I Wanna Rock You
Debbie Jacobs: Don’t You Want My Love
Modern Romance: Salsa Rappsody
Plunky and Oneness of Juju: Always Have to Say Good-Bye
Dynasty: I’ve Just Begun to Love You
New Birth: Deeper (Instrumental)
Ashford & Simpson: It Seems to Hang On
Geraldine Hunt: It Doesn’t Only Happen at Night

808. frankiewarehouse1981b

Live at The Warehouse, Chicago 8/28/1981
Source: DeepHousePage

Henderson & Whitfield: Dancin’ to The Beat
Black Ivory: Mainline (break)
Weeks & Co.: Rock Your World
Loose Joints: Is It All Over My Face
Roy Ayers Ubiquity: Running Away
D-Train: You’re The One For Me (Instrumental)
Ednah Holt: Serious, Sirius Space Party
Kraftwerk: Numbers/Computer World 2

815. frankieknucklesearly80sKevenA

Chicago, early ’80s
Source: DeepHousePage

One Way: Shine on Me
Positive Force: We Got the Funk
Hydro featuring Lorna: I’ll Make Your Day Tonight
The Strikers: Inch by Inch (Instrumental)
Persia: Inch by Inch
Machine: There But For The Grace Of God Go I
South Shore Commission: Free Man (edit)
Made In USA: Melodies (break)
Michael Jackson: Thriller (edit)

815. frankieknucklesearly80sKevenB

Chicago, early ’80s
Source: DeepHousePage

Michael Jackson: Thriller (edit)
Sylvester: I Need You
Convertion: Sweet Thing
Convertion: Let’s Do It [unknown mix]
Gladys Knight and The Pips: When You’re Far Away
Jean Carn: Was That All It Was
Gwen Guthrie: It Should Have Been You

827. FrankieKnucklesWBMX_Dave

Friday Night Jams, WBMX 1980s
Source: DeepHousePage

On the House with Marshall Jefferson: Ride the Rhythm (Instrumental) (Remix)
White Knight: White Knight Jacks
Kajsa: Try, Try Again (Mansion Mix)
The Night Writers: Over You (Instrumental Mix)
Jungle Wonz: The Jungle
Ragtyme feat. Byron Stingily: I Can’t Stay Away (Power Pella)
Carolyn Harding: Memories
Diana Ross: No One Gets the Prize (edit)
Diana Ross: Once In The Morning
The Trammps: Can We Come Together

955. frankieknucklespowerplantb,
234. frankie129.rm [partial]

Live at the Power Plant, mid-1980s
Source: DeepHousePage

Marshall Jefferson and On The House: Move Your Body
First Choice: Doctor Love
Billy Paul: Only the Strong Survive (edit)
Nick Straker Band: A Little Bit of Jazz
Master C & J: Dub It
Diana Ross: No One Gets the Prize (edit)
Ashford and Simpson: Found A Cure
Cleavage: Barah (The House Mix)
The Trammps: Disco Party (edit)
J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around

955. frankieknucklespowerplanta

Live at the Power Plant, mid-1980s
Source: DeepHousePage

J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around
Jimmy “Bo” Horne: Spank/The Whispers: And the Beat Goes On/First Choice: Love Thang [medley; same as frankie102.mp3 track 1]
First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (edit of Disco Madness remix)
Visual: Somehow, Someway
South Shore Commission: Free Man (edit)
Phreek: Weekend
Phyllis Hyman: Old Friend
Fingers Inc.: A Path/Virgo: Go Wild Rhythm Trax A1
Billie: Nobody’s Business

1005. FrankieKnucklesBelmontBeach1985a

Live at Belmont Ave. Beach Gay Pride Day (live mic), 1985 [loud!]
Source: DeepHousePage

Serious Intention: You Don’t Know
Made In USA: Melodies (break)
Jamie Principle: Your Love
J.M. Silk: Music Is The Key
Visual: The Music Got Me
The Dells: Get on Down (edit)
Klein & M.B.O.: Dirty Talk
Alexander Robotnick: Problèmes D’Amour
Chip E.: Time to Jack
Chip E.: It’s House
Cymande: Bra (break)

1005. FrankieKnucklesBelmontBeach1985b,
105. frankie20.rm [partial]

Live at Belmont Ave. Beach Gay Pride Day (live mic), 1985 [loud!]
Source: DeepHousePage

Phreek: I’m A Big Freak (R•U•1•2)
Frankie Knuckles: Baby Wants to Ride
Black Ivory: Mainline (break)
Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: The Love I Lost
Teddy Pendergrass: You Can’t Hide From Yourself
beats
J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around (unreleased version)
First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder

Frankie Knuckles @ The PowerPlant 1983 Side A, 1040. frankieknucklespowerplant1983a

Posted by William H Jones IV

Shining Star: The Stranger
Montana Sextet: Friendly Vibes
Klein & M.B.O.: Dirty Talk
Rare Essence: Disco Fever (edit) [samples over top]
Dee Dee Bridgewater: Bad for Me (edit)
Thelma Houston: I’m Here Again (edit)
Two Tons of Fun: I Got the Feeling
Yello: Bostich
Persia: Inch by Inch (edit)
First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (edit)

Side B of 1983 FK, 1040. frankieknucklespowerplant1983b

Posted by William H Jones IV

First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (edit) [samples over top]
Phreek: Weekend
NYC Peech Boys: Life Is Something Special (acapella)
Donna McGhee: It Ain’t No Big Thing [echo effects]
The Whatnauts: Help Is on the Way (break)
Loleatta Holloway: Hit and Run (unknown version)
Liquid Liquid: Optimo
Alessandro Novaga: Eletronic Drums [sic] Fusi Four
Gichy Dan: Cowboys and Gangsters

Frankie Knuckles recorded @ The PowerPlant 1984 another Friday night, 1071. Frankieknucklessummer1984 [partial]

Posted by William H Jones IV

Tamiko Jones: Can’t Live Without Your Love
Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Two Tribes
Thelma Houston: You Used to Hold Me So Tight (Dub Version)
Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Welcome to the Pleasuredome
Candi Staton: Victim
Phyllis Hyman: You Know How To Love Me
The Salsoul Orchestra feat. Loleatta Holloway: Runaway
Gaz Nevada: I.C. Love Affair
Convertion: Sweet Thing
The Staple Singers: Slippery People
beats
Frankie Knuckles feat. Jamie Principle: Bad Boy
Serious Intention: Niecy Don’t Know (Acamental Mix)
South Shore Commission: Free Man

1124. FrankieKnucklesWBMX8687

WBMX, Chicago 1986
Source: DeepHousePage

Womack and Womack: Baby I’m Scared of You
Positive Force: We Got the Funk
House People: Godfather of House (Club Mix II)
Cultural Vibe: Ma Foom Bey (Special ZZB Version/Rhythm Version)
Adonis: No Way Back (Instrumental)
The Rude Boy Farley Keith: Give Your Self to Me
Subject: Celebrate (Pt. II)
First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (edit of Disco Madness remix)
Jamaica Girls: Need Somebody New
J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around/First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder acapella

Frankie Knuckles – Friday Night Jams On 102.7FM WBMX – 10 – 31 – 86, DHP 1338. Frankie_Knuckles_WBMX_103186_DHP

Posted by DJ M-TRAXXX

Sister Sledge: Lost In Music (Special 1984 Nile Rodgers Remix)
House People: Godfather of House (Club Mix II)
Robert Owens: Bring Down the Walls
Sleezy D.: I’ve Lost Control (House Side)
Marshall Jefferson: Destination [unreleased]
Sweet D: Turn It
Farley “Jackmaster” Funk: Love Can’t Turn Around
Raww: Don’t You Try It
Goody Goody: It Looks Like Love
Mario Reyes: What Ever Turns You On
Marshall Jefferson: Move Your Body
Raz: Baila (Razzmatazz)
El DeBarge with DeBarge: You Wear It Well

1355. Knuckles@Gallery21-1987deephousepage

Live at Gallery 21, 1987
Source: DeepHousePage

Ralphi Rosario: You Used to Hold Me
First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder
Thompson & Lenoir: Can’t Stop the House (Instrumental)
Rhythim Is Rhythim: Move It
Risque III: Don’t You Know
Rhythim Is Rhythim: Nude Photo
House Gang: Workin My Body (Original Mix)
Caroline Crawford: Coming on Strong
A Taste of Honey: Boogie Oogie Oogie
Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: The Love I Lost
Love Committee: Just as Long as I Got You

1395. BadBoyBillandFrankieKucklesWBMX1986

WBMX, 1985-86 [Bad Boy Bill up to 14:10]
Source: DeepHousePage

J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around (House In E-flat minor)
On the House with Marshall Jefferson: Ride The Rhythm
Sterling Void: Take It Higher (Dub Mix 1)
Matt Warren: The Way to My Heart
Robert Owens: Bring Down the Walls
Frankie Knuckles: You Can’t Hide (House Beats)
Ragtyme feat. Byron Stingily: Can’t Stay Away
The Night Writers: Over You (Instrumental Mix)
On The House: Pleasure Control (Instrumental)
Magnifique: Magnifique (Bob Viteritti Disconet mix)
Stephanie Mills: You Can Get Over

1467. FrankieKnuckles112186WBMXdeephousepage

Saturday Night Live Chicago Dance Party – WBMX 11/26/86
Source: DeepHousePage

Loleatta Holloway: Dreamin’
Matt Warren: Way to My Heart (Chicago House Mix)
J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around
Billy Paul: Only the Strong Survive (edit)
Sterling Void: Take It Higher
Frankie Knuckles: You Can’t Hide (House Mix)
My Mine: Hypnotic Tango (87 Powerhouse Mix)
Bumblebee Unlimited: Love Bug/Lady Bug [added synth parts]
Master C & J: Dub It

1985 Frankie Knuckles “Long Run” Part 1

Posted by Marcus Chapman

Pink Floyd: On The Run
Stevie Wonder: Love Having You Around
Billy Frazier & Friends: Billy Who?
Trussel: Love Injection
Bruni Pagan: Fantasy
McFadden & Whitehead: Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now
Jocko: Rhythm Talk
First Choice: Double Cross [edit w/Geraldine Hunt: Can’t Fake The Feeling pieces]
Loleatta Holloway: Love Sensation