Who are the best classic Chicago house pioneers?

Chicago in the early 1980s gave birth to house music in underground clubs like The Warehouse and Music Box. These are the pioneers who invented the genre that would change the world.

1

Frankie Knuckles

The Godfather of House Music whose legendary sets at The Warehouse created the conditions for house to be born.

2

Larry Heard

Chicago producer (Mr. Fingers) whose deep, introspective house music defined the genre's spiritual potential.

3

Ron Hardy

Wildly adventurous DJ at The Music Box whose fearless marathon sets pushed the boundaries of what house could be.

4

Marshall Jefferson

Producer behind 'Move Your Body,' the first house track with a prominent piano melody.

5

Lil Louis

Chicago producer whose track 'French Kiss' became one of house music's most iconic early crossover records.

6

Jesse Saunders

Chicago DJ who released 'On and On,' widely credited as the first commercially released house music record.

7

Steve 'Silk' Hurley

Chicago DJ who scored a UK #1 hit with 'Jack Your Body' in 1987, one of the first house tracks to top a national chart.

8

Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk

Chicago DJ known for 'Love Can't Turn Around,' a key early house anthem.

9

Ten City

Chicago group fronted by Byron Stingily known for gospel-influenced, deeply soulful house.

10

Robert Owens

Chicago vocalist whose collaborations with Larry Heard defined early house music's emotional depth.

11

Larry Levan

New York DJ whose Paradise Garage was deeply intertwined with Chicago house's development.

12

Darryl Pandy

Chicago vocalist known for his powerful voice on Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk's 'Love Can't Turn Around.'

13

Maurice Joshua

Chicago producer and DJ known for his work with Trax and DJ International Records in the 1980s.

14

Virgo

Chicago production project (Larry Heard and Robert Owens) responsible for early, soulful house tracks on Trax Records.