The world of house music is in mourning following the recent passing of Chuck Roberts, a legendary vocalist whose influence on the genre is immeasurable. Known for his iconic speech in the seminal house track “My House” by Rhythm Controll, Roberts’ words early on became a defining mantra for house music lovers around the globe.
The news was broken by long-running Chicago-based house music magazine 5Mag.
While the vocal did appear on the My House track, as 5Mag notes, it did often appear in DJ and mix CDs sets paired with Mr Finger’s Can You Feel It.
Born and raised in Chicago, the birthplace of house music, Chuck Roberts emerged within the scene during its nascent era in the 1980s. His deep, soulful voice and passionate delivery resonated with the ethos of house music, capturing the spirit of unity, love, and freedom that the genre embodies. The famous line, “In the beginning, there was Jack, and Jack had a groove,” from “My House” has been sampled, remixed, and celebrated countless times, cementing Roberts’ place in house music history.
Throughout his career, Chuck Roberts collaborated with numerous underground house DJs and producers, lending his distinctive voice to various projects that spanned decades.
The passing of Chuck Roberts marks the end of an era, but his legacy will continue to inspire and influence future generations of house music artists and fans.
As we remember and celebrate his legacy, his powerful sermon reminds us of music’s ability to bring people together and the lasting impact of those who help shape its course.
His monologue’s lofty yet noble requests, offer us guidance and comfort of a spiritual level, its words calling us, the faithful followers, reminding us to obey the house music’s tenets of kindness, inclusion and love – concepts associated with dance music since its very inception.
Chuck Roberts may be gone, but his voice and spirit will forever echo in the halls of house music.
From Chicago, to London, Dubai and Singapore, this loss will be felt all over the world, spanning cities and dance music genres.
In the beginning, there was Jack, and Jack had a groove.
And from this groove came the groove of all grooves,
And while one day viciously throwing down on his box, Jack boldy declared,
“Let there be HOUSE!”
and house music was born.
“I am, you see,
I am the creator, and this is my house!
And, in my house there is only house music.
But, I am not so selfish because once you enter my house it then becomes OUR house and our house music!”
And, you see, no one man owns house because house music is a universal language, spoken and understood by all.
You see, house is a feeling that no one can understand really unless you’re deep into the vibe of house.
House is an uncontrollable desire to jack your body.
And, as I told you before, this is our house and our house music.
And in every house, you understand, there is a keeper.
And, in this house, the keeper is Jack.
Now some of you who might wonder,
“Who is Jack, and what is it that Jack does?”
Jack is the one who gives you the power to jack your body!
Jack is the one who gives you the power to do the snake.
Jack is the one who gives you the key to the wiggly worm.
Jack is the one who learns you how to walk your body.
Jack is the one that can bring nations and nations of all Jackers together under one house.
You may be black, you may be white; you may be Jew or Gentile. It don’t make a difference in OUR HOURSE.
And this is fresh.
