Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan, USA during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988. Many styles of techno now exist, but Detroit techno is seen as the foundation upon which a number of subgenres have been built.

The initial take on techno arose from the melding of Eurocentric synthesizer-based music with various African American styles such as Chicago house, funk, electro, and electric jazz. Added to this was the influence of futuristic and fictional themes [5] that were relevant to life in American late capitalist society: most particularly the book The Third Wave by Alvin Toffler.[6] Pioneering producer Juan Atkins cites Toffler's phrase "techno rebels" as inspiring him to use the word techno to describe the musical style he helped to create. This unique blend of influences aligns techno with the aesthetic referred to as AfroDiasporic Futurism. To producers such as Derrick May, the transference of spirit from the body to the machine is often a central preoccupation; essentially an expression of technological spirituality.[7][8] In this manner: "techno dance music defeats what Adorno saw as the alienating effect of mechanisation on the modern consciousness". (from wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/w...oit_sound)



Detroiters may remember dancing for hours at the Music Institute or at Majestic on Friday and Saturday nights I was there and it was like magic. How could music made from electronic sounds and inspired by the clanking of automotive machinery have so much love in it?

Derick May:





with Carl Craig:



Juan Aktins:



Carl Craig:



Kevin Saunderson's (Reese) Inner City:







Kevin Saunderson:



Eddie "Flashin" Fowlkes:

I don't know squat about techno, but just wanted to say HI to one of my favorite people

Revolution said:

Hey honey! It's so good to see you here!
You should...you're a Detroiter...now go back and read what I posted.

Honorable Mentions should also go to these gentlemen as well:


TERRANCE PARKER




Instinct ANTHONY(SHAKE)SHAKIR & JOHN PENN





MARK "MK" KINCHEN



CLAUDE YOUNG

shout out to all my Detroit peeps up in this piece. thanks for clueing folks in on the pioneers APL. love those brothers!!

Excellent thread! I learned a thing or 2!

And we all do know who the official Godfather of Techno is, right?

Hint - He is Electrifying

Get it right or leave it alone, I don't want to have to come back here and hurt anybody!

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

Franky Knuckles?

MikeMatronik said:

You were warned!

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

Mojo!!

dreamfactory313 said:

You know it!

http://www.detroittechnom...w/119/175/

Detroit History: The Electrifying Mojo

Charles "The Electrifying Mojo" Johnson was a Detroit, USA radio disc jockey from the 1970s through the 1990s, whose on-air journey of musical and social development shaped a generation of Detroit music-lovers, and was of paramount importance to the development of Detroit Techno. The trio of artists widely cited as the founders of Detroit Techno, Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, and Derrick May have all made mention of Mojo's influence on their musical development. Second generation Techno artists like Richie Hawtin (Plastikman) and Carl Craig have also praised the diversity of Mojo's playlist.

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

MOJO! WJLB, baby!

datdude said:

All the way from Mack Ave. and Bewick!!!!!

Where is some Jeff " The Wizard" Mills at?

BTW do u still turn on your porchlights for the mothership

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

Oh man...reading this brought tears to my eyes. So many memories:

"Will the members of the Midnight Funk Association please rise. Please go to your porch light and turn it on for the next hour to show us your solidarity. If you're in your car please honk your horn and flash your lights, wherever you are. If you're in bed, get ready to dance on your back, in Technicolor. And get ready for the MFA. The word is... Hold on tight, don't let go. Whenever you feel like you're nearing the end of your rope, don't slide off. Tie a knot. Keep hanging, keep remembering, that it ain't nobody bad like you. This session of the International Midnight Funk Association is being called to order. Electrifying Mojo presiding. May the Funk be with you. Always..."

MOJO is the greatest DJ of all time.

JazzyJ said:

I was just posting that.

Here's some of badass Mr. Mills! (thanks for the reminder )

applekisses said:

Funky minds think alike
Thanks for the post.

JazzyJ said:

Every time I turn my porchlights on, I immediately think of Mojo!

I'm ashamed that I forgot...ALL THE FORE MENTIONED TECHNO ARTIST WERE ALL STUDENTS OF THIS MAN…..MR. KEN COLLIER (who I sorely missed). Ken was a DJ/ Remixer for your ass…and a cool guy. KEN and Mojo were influences on all of those cats and myself. I miss Ken and Heavens RIP

Story from: http://www.mastersofhouse...index.html



KENNETH COLLIER
1949 - 1996

Detroit's own KEN COLLIER, better known as the "Godfather" of Techno/House music, was spinning as a DJ in the '70s and '80s heyday of progressive and Hi-Energy dance music, the precursor of what we know now as House Music. Ken was the first person to champion Detroit Techno. From his base within the gay community, Collier pioneered a style of mixing and participated in an underground network of clubs and parties that would eventually expose him to (and influence) generations of future DJs, producers, promoters and entertainers. Collier consider his playing style as diverse, giving them everything from tribal to message music with an underground sound. Collier was the recipient of many prestigious awards and a Billboard Club reporter for ten years. He is truly regarded as one of or if not the best and legendary DJ's ever, a guru of the underground.

Collier began his music career of 23 years in Detroit, MI and was sought after by every major club to serve up his unique style of programming at their venues. Places like Studio 54, L'uomo, Downstairs Pub, Rich and Famous, Chessmate and others filled to capacity on his nights. Collier then set precedence after he became the first club DJ in Detroit history, to have a radio mix on the original WDRQ FM 93.1. He and his brother Greg spun the first Techno records (Strings Of Life, No UFO's, etc.) at club Todd's, a dance music Mecca (Punk, New Wave, Industrial and House on alternate nights) that exposed the masses to new music. After Todd's closed, Ken turned an after hours club located on the east/west divide into what became the legendary hot spot known as Heaven. In the tradition of his biggest influences like Frankie Knuckles, the late Larry Levan, Tee Scott, Larry Patterson, Felton Howard, Stacey "Hot Wax" Hale, Jimmy Lockhart, Duane “In the Mix” Bradley, Tony Hunter, Morris Mitchell, Elton Weathers, Darryl Shannon, John Collins and Ken’s brother Greg Collier, Ken would work the crowd into a frenzy with his underground sound. When Heaven closed to make way for a McDonald’s, Collier moved his, what was arguably the most massive sound system in the Midwest to what was once Timesquare (off Broadway & I-94), in downtown Detroit. Many of Detroit renown DJ's such as Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, Juan Atkins, Eddie Fowlkes, Terrance Parker, Norm Talley, Al Ester, Mike Clark, Charles Hicks, Delano Smith, Mike Huckaby and many more often claim Collier as their mentor, truly a legend in Detroit and the world.

Collier’s death left a hole in an already tattered scene. Though dance music was just taking off in the mainstream, with techno DJs traveling the world and raves blowing up in warehouses in Detroit, the progressive/house music and its DJs had fallen by the wayside. The new music picked up fast, had fewer vocals, and, for many, had lost the original soul that fans had originally sought. A mixed scene, which had come so far so quickly, resegregated. Collier’s death closed the door on a Detroit era.



“Ken was a music man. He was made for music. When I did go to Heaven to drop off my records for Ken to play … I just didn’t realize he could play that way.” says famed Detroit Techno Producer - Kevin Saunderson

“Ken was the "true" Godfather. He represented the pure Detroit underground in a way that most of us can barely aspire to. He was down here. He lived in Detroit. This was his life, and DJing was all he did. He didn't make tracks. He didn't go anywhere. He wasn't petty and jealous and grasping and out for fame. Do you see what I'm saying? Ken was the Man. Watch out for false prophets. I'll miss him dearly.” - Alan Oldham, Techno DJ from Chicago

Its has been over ten years of Colliers passing and the music world, especially house music has missed his captivating sound, his unique way of taking you on a musical journey, it reminds you of a great rollercoaster ride, climbing the hill reaching the top soaring through the curves until the last record plays and the ride for that night has ended, returning in line again the following weekend. Collier's role within the club era has touch so many people's lives, created the new breed of legendary DJ's, and has saved and changed so many. Detroit's history would not be complete without his music living on.

http://www.deephousepage....esults.php enter Ken Collier
Ken Collier’s myspace page

http://profile.myspace.co...=197060345
Ken's Myspace tribute page


KEN COLLIER REMIXES

WHEEL ME OUT Was Not Was
OUT COME THE FREAKS Was Not Was
AND THE BEAT GOES ON Orbit feat. Carol Hall
TELL ME THAT I'M DREAMIN' Was Not Was
EYE OF THE TIGER Nighthawk
WHEN LOVE SURGES Jules

Just a quick shout-out from a fan (obviously....check the Avatar) of Juan Atkins.

IMHO a HUGE influence on all that followed in electronica.

Props (from far away) to Detroit for being light-years ahead of the curve on this one.

steelyd said:

Oh shoot...shame on me too. Thank you for remembering him. I remember TimesSquare it was a cool place...Sterling owned that club, didn't he?

wow, that Ken Collier remix of and the beat goes on is CLASSIC! i need to get that on CD. did any of you see Jeff Mills' One Man Spaceship show @ Fifth Avenue last year?! Insane!! I already can't w8 for next Memorial Day weekend.

datdude said:

How much are the tickets for the DEMF now? I haven't been for about three years

I need to give props to Underground Resistance and Mad Mike on this thread for fighting against the commericalization of techno and keeping it real!

datdude said:

Much props to all who had a hand in this musical revolution.

I LOVE TECHNO!

MikeMatronik said:

Thanks! I just found this...it's a really good documentary:







oops...part 4:


[Edited 10/13/08 12:31pm]

applekisses said:

Oh, it's ok ...Ken was a pretty humble dude. Most important is that we remembered.