The History of House Music
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From its early beginnings in Chicago to its international explosion in the late 1980s, house music has been one of the most influential genres in the world. Here’s a look at the history of this musical phenomenon.
Origins in Chicago
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized by club DJs who played in clubs that were frequented by African American, Latino, and gay people. House music quickly spread to other parts of the United States and then to the rest of the world.
Early house music parties
Much of the early history of house music is associated with gay club culture in Chicago. House music reached disco’s commercial peak in the very early 1980s with tracks such as Farley “Jackmaster” Funk’s “Love Can’t Turn Around” and Steve “Silk” Hurley’s “Jack Your Body”. However, some disco productions played a significant role in the development of house, such as Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte’s electro disco production “I Feel Love”, which was influential to both disco and early house.
The birth of acid house
In the late 1980s, DJ Pierre, a Chicago house DJ, was fooling around with his Roland 303 drum machine when he hit upon a sound that he thought was really cool. He and some friends started making tracks using that sound, which they called “acid tracks.” They would play these tracks at parties, and people would go crazy dancing to them. The sound of the Roland 303 acid line became so associated with these parties that people started referring to them as “acid house” parties.
The UK House Scene
House music has its origins in the African-American community in the early 1980s. The first House music tracks were created by DJs who were playing records at parties and clubs. These DJs would often use drum machines and synthesizers to create their own unique sound. The first House music tracks were created by DJs who were playing records at parties and clubs.
The Second Summer of Love
In the late 1980s, the UK experienced its own version of the Second Summer of Love. House music, which had been growing in popularity on the club scene, exploded into the mainstream. The seminal acid house track “Pump Up the Volume” by M/A/R/R/S topped the UK charts in 1987, and by 1988, house music was being played on Top 40 radio stations. Rave culture also emerged during this time, with large-scale illegal parties taking place in warehouses and fields across the country.
The UK house scene reached its peak in 1989 with the release of the rave anthem “Voodoo Ray” by A Guy Called Gerald. However, by the early 1990s, the popularity of house music began to decline, and other genres such as jungle and drum & bass emerged.
The rise of UK garage
In the early 1990s, a new style of music emerged in the UK that was heavily influenced by house and US garage. This new style, which came to be known as UK garage, was characterized by a more soulful sound than its US counterpart, as well as a heavier use of R&B and pop samples. UK garage quickly gained popularity in London and other urban areas, and by the mid-2000s, it had become one of the most popular genres in the UK.
House Music Today
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the 1980s. It was originally created by DJs and producers from the Chicago dance club underground scene. House music is characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and often contains samples of older disco or soul tracks. House music today is still very popular and is often played in clubs, festivals, and radio stations around the world.
The global reach of house music
In the early 1990s, house music took off in a big way in the clubbing capitals of Europe, with London, Paris and Frankfurt becoming major hot spots for the new sound. By the mid-1990s, house music had spread to other parts of the world, including Australia, Japan and South Africa. In the US, house music found a home in the underground club scene and became particularly popular in gay clubs.
The continued popularity of house music
Despite the popularity of other genres, house music continues to be a favorite among electronic dance music fans. There are many subgenres of house music, each with its own distinct sound and feel. The four main subgenres are deep house, tech house, progressive house, and trance.
Deep house is characterized by its warm, soulful sound and use of sampling. Tech house is a more stripped-down sound that is often influenced by techno. Progressive house is a longer, more hypnotic form of house music with a build-up and release of energy. Trance is a style of house music that is characterized by its dreamy, ethereal soundscapes and repetitive beats.
Whether you prefer the deeper, soulful vibes of deep house or the more energetic sound of tech house, there is a style of house music for everyone to enjoy.
