top of page
Davron Bowman

The Warehouse Chicago- Where House Music Got It's Name

The Warehouse was a Chicago nightclub that played a significant role in the development of house music. Located at 206 South Jefferson Street, the Warehouse was opened in 1977 by Robert Williams, a DJ and promoter who is credited with coining the term "house music."


Before the Warehouse, the Chicago nightclub scene was dominated by disco music. Williams, however, wanted to create a venue that played a wider range of music, including funk, soul, and electronic. He named the club the Warehouse because it was a former warehouse and also because he wanted it to be a place where people could come and "warehouse" their troubles.


The Warehouse quickly became known as the place to be on a Saturday night in Chicago. It was a large, spacious venue with a state-of-the-art sound system and a dance floor that could hold up to 2,000 people. The club was open from 9 PM to 4 AM, and the cover charge was only $3, which made it affordable for people of all ages.


One of the things that made the Warehouse unique was the music that was played there. Williams was one of the first DJs to play electronic music in a nightclub, and he was known for his innovative and experimental DJ sets. He would often mix together different genres of music, such as disco, funk, and electronic, to create a new sound that was unlike anything that had been heard before.


The Warehouse was also known for hosting some of the biggest names in music. Many famous artists, including Prince, Madonna, and The Rolling Stones, played at the club. It was also a popular venue for up-and-coming artists, and many of the pioneers of house music, such as Frankie Knuckles and Larry Heard, played their first gigs at the Warehouse.


In addition to the music, the Warehouse was known for its unique atmosphere. The club was dark and intimate, and it had a feeling of exclusivity. It was a place where people came to escape the outside world and lose themselves in the music.


Despite its popularity, the Warehouse closed its doors in 1983. Williams cited financial difficulties as the reason for the closure, but many people believe that the club simply reached the end of its lifespan. The Warehouse had been open for six years, and by that time, the house music scene had exploded, and there were many other clubs in Chicago that were playing similar music.


Although the Warehouse is no longer open, it remains an iconic and influential part of Chicago's nightlife. The music that was played there laid the foundations for the house music genre, and the club is remembered as a place where people came to escape their problems and lose themselves in the music. The Warehouse will always be remembered as the legendary nightspot where house music got its name.


Commenti


bottom of page