The Story Of Early House Music

If you're curious about the early days of house music, then you've come to the right place. I'm passionate about sharing the story of how this incredible genre was born.

What Is House Music?

Imagine a steady hypnotic beat, with a constant kick drum designed to keep you dancing until dawn. That's the logic of house music. House music is made for dancing.

House music is a style of electronic dance music that emerged from the underground club scene of Chicago in the early 1980s. It is defined by a steady kick drum on every beat and a tempo around 120 to 130 BPM. It's based on repetitive grooves with electronic sounds. By blending influences from disco and new wave, the pioneers of house music created something entirely new and unique.

House music quickly evolved from a Chicago scene into a worldwide movement, influencing almost every genre of dance music we hear today. This website is a comprehensive introduction to the era of early house music, taking you back to the roots of the sound.

What's On This Website?

The rest of this page is an overview of the sections on this website. Read on to find out what's available on this site.

Origins Of House Music

The "Origins" section of this website is about the origins of house music, and it features articles on musical influences and historical contexts that led to the evolution of house music.

What began as evolution became a revolution. House music started in the late 1970s from Chicago's dance music scene. Chicago producers started to develop their own sound in the early 1980s.

Milestones Of House Music

The articles in the "Milestones" part of this website cover events that defined the early years of house music. Every revolution has its turning points and breakthroughs that change the game.

People Of House Music

The "People" section of this website features profiles and articles about key figures in early house music, examining their contributions to production, deejaying and building a community.

House music was shaped by visionaries, rebels, experimenters and boundary pushers who reimagined what dance music could be. It was catalysed by an influential group of artists and innovators, but even in the earliest days there was also a mass movement of house music fans.

Places Of House Music

The dawn of house music was tied to the spaces where people danced. The "Places" section of this website has articles about cities, clubs, and other places that were a fertile ground for the early house scene. From the iconic clubs of Chicago to the parties of New York, these venues were laboratories for a new sound.

Stories Of House Music

The "Stories" section of this website has first-hand accounts from personal experience. Read the stories of dancers, promoters, DJs, producers and fans who lived life on the dancefloor in the early years of house music.

Classic House Music In The Vault

The "Vault" section of this website is a curated library of classic tracks, to help you discover the essential sounds of early house music. Explore the evolution of house through the music itself. From deep cuts to anthem hits, this is your gateway to the essential sounds of the early years.

Discover some of the most important tracks from the early days of house music in the vault.

About This Website

House music's history is often mythologized, but it deserves to be documented. The "About" section of this website describes the mission of this site, to celebrate the stories of people who were there. I'm on a mission to hand over decades of Gen X dancefloor experience to a new generation.

Explore the roots of house music through the eyes of a UK DJ and producer, who has lived the evolution of dance music culture since 1985.

Contact Me

What's your house music story? Whether you're a clubber, DJ or producer, your story is important. Please get in touch if you want to share your story of house music and your memories of the scene.