The foundation of house and the birth of techno

When talking about the Detroit dance music scene, it is impossible to leave out the presence of Ken Collier . He was a key figure in shaping the Detroit DJ culture, and his influence contributed greatly to the birth of Detroit techno . From the 1970s to the 1990s, he played at numerous clubs, and Heaven and Club 246 in particular are deeply engraved in the history of Detroit's underground dance music.

This article delves into Ken Collier's playing style, the club scene he nurtured and his relationship with The Belleville Three (Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson), examining the evolution of house and techno in Detroit.

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Ken Collier: The pioneer of Detroit house DJ culture

Ken Collier (January 9, 1949 - February 19, 1996) was one of the most influential figures in the Detroit DJ scene. His DJ style was said to be as charismatic as Larry Levan (Paradise Garage) in New York, and he is sometimes called "Detroit's Larry Levan."

He was a bridge between Chicago and Detroit club culture, from the disco boom of the 1970s to the birth of house music in the 1980s, and was a mentor to Detroit DJs , with his influence being comparable to that of Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy.

Playstyle and Influences

• A long, emotional set : His DJ sets were characterised by song selections that were conscious of the flow of emotions.
• Fusion of Garage and House : He freely mixes disco, funk, house and garage, and has established a technique of gradually getting the audience excited.
• He influenced many young DJs : Many DJs in Detroit were influenced by listening to him play, and would go on to lay the foundations for the later Detroit techno and Detroit house scenes.

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Heaven: The Evolution of Gay Clubbing and Dance Music in Detroit

Heaven , where Ken Collier played in the 1980s and 1990s, was the center of gay club culture in Detroit and an important source of house music . It was considered a place comparable to Chicago's Warehouse and New York's Paradise Garage.
Many clubbers and DJs were there to experience new sounds.

The Importance of Heaven

• House music has a deep connection to the black gay community : Ken Collier provided a space of freedom for this community through music .
• Introducing electronic sounds : He gradually incorporated synth sounds and electronic music, as well as disco and soul.
  This would later lead to the birth of Detroit techno .
• Influence on the next generation of DJs : Young DJs like Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson played at this club and went on to become major DJs in the Detroit techno scene.

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Club 246: Detroit's underground mecca

Along with Heaven, Club 246 , where Ken Collier served as resident DJ, is also a club that holds a special significance in the history of Detroit dance music.

• Harder sound and more experimental selections → Ken Collier was playing deeper and more energetic here.

• Diversity of the audience : Compared to Heaven, which is a gay club, Club 246 attracted clubbers with diverse backgrounds and became a testing ground for more underground dance music.

• Crossover with Detroit Techno → This club was influential among young artists involved in the early days of techno, and was the beginning of a movement to blur the boundaries between house and techno .

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The Belleville Three & The Birth of Techno: Ken Collier's Legacy

Ken Collier's DJ culture in Detroit led to the birth of Detroit techno with Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson , who were influenced by his DJing and clubbing experiences to create their own unique electronic sound.

• Juan Atkins → Worked with Cybotron and Model 500 and established the foundations of techno.
• Derrick May → Releases "Strings of Life" under the name Rhythim Is Rhythim, creating an iconic techno song.
• Kevin Saunderson → As Inner City, he produced club anthems such as "Good Life" and "Big Fun."

They further evolved the Detroit dance music scene pioneered by Ken Collier and propelled it into a global movement.

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The Legacy of Ken Collier

Ken Collier was more than just a DJ; he was a key figure in Detroit's music culture. His playing style, the atmosphere he created in the clubs, and the influence he had on generations to come are immeasurable.

• He laid the foundation for Detroit house music → The music he played had its own unique groove that was different from Chicago house music.
• He influenced the next generation of DJs and producers → DJs who grew up in his clubs, such as Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson, went on to lead the techno scene.
• He developed house music within black gay club culture → His clubs were a place of expression for music and freedom.

Without Ken Collier, Detroit music may not have become what it is today, but the legacy he built is still felt in the city's club scene today.

References
Red Bull Music Academy Daily - Ken Collier: The Godfather of Detroit House
Detroit Sound Conservancy - Ken Collier Artifact
Wax Poetics - Detroit's Dance Music Pioneers
Detroit Sound Conservancy - The History of Heaven
The Underground Archives - Club 246 and Detroit's House Movement
Red Bull Music Academy Daily - The Belleville Three and the Birth of Techno
Resident Advisor - Detroit Techno: The Sound of a City
The Wire Magazine - Derrick May & The Birth of Techno