April 07--Robert Teitel believes it's time people learn the story of house music.
The "Barbershop" and "Soul Food" producer is co-producing a film on the late DJ, Frankie Knuckles, known as the Godfather of house music, and The Warehouse, which is the Chicago club that helped launch the genre. The movie is expected to film in Chicago.
"The film isn't just about Frankie, it's about Frankie and the Warehouse," Teitel said during a launch party for the film and a fundraiser for the Frankie Knuckles Foundation March 31 at The Underground. "This little club in Chicago in the late 70s and 80s created this undeniable music that has withstood the test of time. The sad thing is not enough people know the story."
He's right. I don't know it.
Teitel said the film has yet to name a director and doesn't have a script, but there are a few writers in Los Angeles fleshing out the story. In addition to Teitel, the movie is being produced by Randy Crumpton ("The Truth"), Joe Shanahan (owner of Metro and Double Door) and Billy Dec (CEO of Rockit Ranch, which owns The Underground). Dec also will appear in the film, but he said a role has yet to be determined.
"They've been trying to make this movie for a long time," said Dec, who came aboard with his recently launched Elston Films last year. "They thought it might be a documentary. They were working on it with Frankie when he unfortunately passed away. The intention of the movie is to keep his legacy alive and inform the world that house music started here in Chicago."
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