Chip E. attended St. Ignatius College Prep, Kenwood Academy, Columbia College and DePaul University. He started spinning records in 1982 and by 1984 he was producing records. In 1985 Street Mix magazine declared Chip E. as the “Godfather of House Music.”[1] In 1987, he became the first (and still the only) Chicago artist to be in regular rotation on all three major Chicago radio stations (WBMX, WGCI-FM and B96).[citation needed] Former B96 programming manager Joe Bohannon (Joe Bo) made the decision to add “You Only Knew” to regular rotation and with that began the transition of the station from CHR (contemporary hit radio) to a dance music station.
Chip E. assisted Frankie Knuckles when he co-produced Frankie’s first record You Can’t Hide. Other artists Chip jump-started into the music world were Liddell Townsel, Kevin Irving, and Harri Dennis of The It. By the age of 21 Chip E. was a world wide name. Because of difficulties getting out of a contract with D.J. International records, Chip decided that he would rather not record if he had to do it for D.J. International. His first release “Jack Trax” is one of the most coveted early house music releases, fetching upwards of $500.00 (USD) on eBay.
Although he does the rare DJ gig in Britain or Italy, Chip E. has moved into “the realms of mythology.”[2] However, Chip E. has recently resurfaced as a film and DVD guru. Besides work with artists such as Michael McDonald, Fleetwood Mac, Prince, The Dead, and Black Eyed Peas, Chip has produced a feature length documentary on the subject of house music. The documentary is entitled The UnUsual Suspects - Once Upon a Time in House Music. |
