Chicago House Music: The Power Plant and Smart Bar in the early 80s

03/07/25 • 8 min

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Host: Hello, groove aficionados! Welcome back to House Foundations, where we don't just spin tracks—we unravel the tales behind the beats. I'm your host, C Dub, and today, we're diving deep into the iconic house music venues that defined Chicago and New York City.

Previously, we've explored Chicago's legendary Warehouse with Frankie Knuckles and the electrifying Music Box helmed by Ron Hardy. Today, let's shine a spotlight on two other Windy City institutions that kept the rhythm alive: Smart Bar and The Power Plant.

Picture this: It's 1982 in Chicago. The city is still reeling from the aftermath of Disco Demolition Night, but amidst the rubble of disco records, a new sound is emerging. Enter Smart Bar, nestled in the basement of the Metro building at 3730 North Clark Street. Founded by Joe Shanahan, this venue was envisioned as a haven for the burgeoning dance music scene. As Shanahan recalls, "I distinctly remember how Division Street and Rush Street clubs would not even let you on the dancefloor without someone of the opposite sex. If you tried to dance by yourself or in a same-sex couple, the bouncer would tell you to leave."

Smart Bar prided itself on its eclectic mix, drawing goths, rockers, industrial fans, and house heads under one roof. DJs like Frankie Knuckles and Joe Smooth graced its decks, spinning sets that often stretched into the early morning hours. The club's inclusive atmosphere and dedication to musical exploration ensured its lasting legacy in Chicago's nightlife. As one patron reminisced, "It was a special place. There was a variety of other alternative music types, all together.“

After departing The Warehouse, Frankie Knuckles established The Power Plant in 1983. Situated on the Near West Side, this venue became his new playground, where he continued to innovate and define the house sound. Knuckles' sets were legendary, often featuring his own edits and remixes, keeping the dance floor pulsating until dawn. The Power Plant attracted a diverse crowd, all united by their love for the emerging house sound. Unfortunately, the club's reign was short-lived, closing its doors in 1985, but its impact on the Chicago house scene was indelible.

Now, let's hop over to the East Coast, where New York City was cultivating its own vibrant house scene. The Big Apple was home to several iconic venues that not only embraced house music but also played pivotal roles in its evolution.

At 84 King Street stood the Paradise Garage, operating from 1977 to 1987. Under the masterful curation of resident DJ Larry Levan, the Garage became a sanctuary for dance music enthusiasts. Levan's eclectic mixes of disco, soul, and emerging house tracks created an atmosphere that was both electric and intimate. His Saturday night sets were legendary, often stretching into Sunday afternoon. As Levan once said, "The Garage was more than a club; it was a family. We were all connected through the music."

Founded by David Mancuso in 1970, The Loft was initially an invitation-only party held in his own home at 645 Broadway. Unlike traditional nightclubs, it emphasized high-quality sound and a welcoming environment. Mancuso's audiophile approach and eclectic music selection made The Loft a seminal space for dance music culture. The parties were known for their inclusive atmosphere, attracting a diverse crowd united by their love for music and dance.

Opened in 1989 at 530 West 27th Street, The Sound Factory quickly became a focal point for house music enthusiasts. DJ Junior Vasquez held a residency there, drawing crowds with his innovative mixes and energetic sets. Vasquez noted, "The Sound Factory was a place where I could experiment, where the crowd trusted me to take th

House Foundations podcast about Music, hosted by C Dub

Send us a text if you like it and want more of it.

House Foundations podcast about Music, hosted by C Dub

Previous Episode

Disco Demolition Night, 1979 and House Music is born

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HOST: "Hey everyone, welcome to House Foundations! I'm C Dub, and today, we're embarking on a journey through the origins of house music—a genre that's been the heartbeat of dance floors for decades. As someone who's always been into reggaeton and Afrobeats, I'm excited to delve into the rich history of house music, especially after a friend's enthusiasm piqued my curiosity. So, let's explore this together!"

HOST: "Our story begins in the late 1970s. Picture this: It's July 12, 1979, at Chicago's Comiskey Park. The event? 'Disco Demolition Night.' Organized by radio DJ Steve Dahl, fans were invited to bring disco records to be blown up on the field. What started as a promotional stunt quickly spiraled into chaos, with thousands storming the field, setting fires, and chanting 'Disco sucks!'"

HOST: “So why did Steve Dahl do this? He organized this event after being fired from his job at WDAI radio station when it switched from rock to disco. Feeling spurned, he channeled his frustration into an anti-disco campaign, culminating in this explosive event. While some saw it as a pushback against disco's mainstream dominance, many felt a deeper sting. Disco was a haven for Black, Latino, and LGBTQ+ communities—a space where they could express themselves freely. Vince Lawrence, a young Black usher at the event, later reflected, 'Basically, if you were Black, gay, or sympathized with either of the above, you were being punished.'"

HOST: "From this turmoil, a new sound emerged. Marginalized communities, feeling sidelined, sought refuge in underground venues where they could dance without judgment. One such sanctuary was 'The Warehouse' at 206 South Jefferson Street in Chicago. Established in 1977 by Robert Williams, this club became a beacon for many."

HOST: "At the helm was DJ Frankie Knuckles, often dubbed the 'Godfather of House.' He didn't just play tracks; he reinvented them. By blending disco classics with European electronic music and layering in drum machine rhythms, he crafted a sound that was both nostalgic and revolutionary. This fusion laid the foundation for what we now know as house music."

HOST: "Knuckles was known for his innovative use of equipment. He utilized reel-to-reel tape machines to extend tracks and create seamless mixes. Additionally, drum machines like the Roland TR-909 allowed him to add unique percussive elements, giving his sets a distinctive and mesmerizing rhythm."

HOST: "Another iconic spot was the 'Music Box,' where DJ Ron Hardy ruled the decks. Hardy was renowned for his experimental mixes and electrifying energy. He once said, 'I don't play what's popular; I play what's good.' I like that. His fearless approach pushed the genre's boundaries and inspired countless artists."

HOST: "Hardy was a pioneer in manipulating tracks to create a unique experience. He often sped up records, added effects, and wasn't afraid to play unconventional tracks people had never heard. His use of the reel-to-reel tape recorder allowed him to edit and loop tracks live, creating a hypnotic and energetic atmosphere that kept dancers on their toes."

HOST: “So that’s the 1970s. Moving into the 1980s, the house music scene continued to evolve. Larry Heard, also known as Mr. Fingers, emerged as a pivotal figure. His track 'Can You Feel It' became an anthem, characterized by its deep basslines and emotive melodies. Heard's background as a drummer influenced his production style, bringing a rhythmic complexity to his music."

HOST: "Heard's use of synthesizers and drum machines, like the Roland Juno-60 and TR-909, allowed him to craft lush, atmospheric tracks that stood out in the burgeoning house s

House Foundations podcast about Music, hosted by C Dub

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House Music Reaches Around the World: Early 90s

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HOST: “Hello, house enthusiasts! Welcome back to House Foundations. I’m C Dub your host, and today, we’re journeying through the early ’90s—a transformative era when house music transcended its Chicago roots and captivated dance floors worldwide. From the underground clubs of Berlin to the bustling streets of Tokyo, house music became a universal language of rhythm and unity.”

“By the dawn of the 1990s, house music had firmly planted its flag in numerous cities across the globe. In the United States, while Chicago remained a pivotal hub, other urban centers like New York, Detroit, and San Francisco began cultivating their own unique house scenes. Each city infused the genre with its distinct cultural flavors, enriching the tapestry of house music.”

“New York City, in particular, emerged as a powerhouse in the house movement. The city’s dynamic energy and melting pot of cultures fostered a fertile ground for innovation. Clubs like the Sound Factory and Shelter became sanctuaries for house aficionados. DJs such as David Morales and Frankie Knuckles, who had migrated from Chicago, mesmerized crowds with their eclectic mixes. Morales’s remix of Mariah Carey’s ‘Dreamlover’ exemplified the seamless blend of pop sensibilities with house rhythms, making the genre more accessible to mainstream audiences.”

“Across the Atlantic, the United Kingdom was experiencing its own house renaissance. The late ’80s acid house wave had set the stage, and by the early ‘90s, the UK was producing its own house anthems. Labels like XL Recordings were at the forefront, releasing seminal tracks that would define the era. The Prodigy’s early work, for instance, showcased a fusion of house beats with breakbeat hardcore, pushing the boundaries of the genre.”

“Meanwhile, in continental Europe, cities like Berlin and Paris were embracing house music with open arms. Berlin’s Love Parade, which began in 1989, grew exponentially in the early ‘90s, drawing hundreds of thousands of revelers. The city’s unique history and burgeoning club scene made it a hotspot for electronic music. Parisian clubs, too, were pulsating with house beats, with DJs like Laurent Garnier leading the charge. Garnier’s track ‘Crispy Bacon’ became a staple in the European house scene, known for its driving rhythm and innovative sound.”

“Back in the U.S., the West Coast was carving out its niche in the house landscape. San Francisco’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community played a significant role in nurturing the scene. The city’s clubs, such as The EndUp and 1015 Folsom, became epicenters for house music, with DJs like Doc Martin spinning tracks that blended deep house with elements of funk and soul. His sets often featured tracks like ‘Is the Swing,’ which encapsulated the West Coast’s unique take on the house genre.”

“Distribution channels for house music also evolved during this period. Independent record labels proliferated, pressing vinyl records that DJs would spin in clubs and on radio shows. The rise of mixtapes and DJ mixes allowed the sound to spread beyond club walls, reaching listeners in their homes and cars. This grassroots distribution was instrumental in building a dedicated following.”

“Reflecting on this era, it’s evident that the early ‘90s were a time of rapid expansion and innovation for house music. The genre’s infectious rhythms and inclusive ethos resonated with people from diverse backgrounds, fostering a global community united by the dance floor. As we move forward, we’ll explore how house music continued to evolve, giving birth to numerous subgenres and influencing countless artists.”

“Thank you for joining me on this journey through the early ‘90s house scene. Until then, keep the beats alive."

House Foundations podcast about Music, hosted by C Dub

This Is A Podcast About House Music - Chicago House Music: The Power Plant and Smart Bar in the early 80s

Transcript

Previously, we've explored Chicago's legendary Warehouse with Frankie Knuckles and the electrifying Music Box helmed by Ron Hardy. Today, let's shine a spotlight on two other Windy City institutions