Frankie to star at WHQ.

Never short of top quality line-ups at the best of times, World Headquarters have surpassed themselves with the latest star name to take to the decks.

In a real coup for the Newcastle club, "Godfather of House" Frankie Knuckles will be making his first appearance on Tyneside next month.

A legend in every sense of the word, it was the American who gave house music its name with his mind-blowing sets at Chicago's Warehouse club from 1977 to 1982.

Working the dance floor to perfection, he played a key role in breaking the new sounds of the burgeoning genre and creating the phenomenon we know and love today.

His pioneering achievements matched only by the late Larry Levan at New York's Paradise Garage and Ron Hardy, Knuckles defined the sound of Chicago house and earned himself a reputation as a true guiding light.

Next month's performance at WHQ is one not to be missed and will provide a highlight in the Tyneside club calendar.

Born in the Bronx in 1955, he began his much-vaunted DJing career in the early 70s when he was invited to play at New York's Better Days.

Mixing Philly soul with disco and the new house sounds, Knuckles was a true innovator and his talents saw him land his residency at the Warehouse.

Along with the Paradise Garage and disco club Studio 54, the club has gone down in dance music folklore.

After moving on to run his own club, the Powerplant in his home city in 1982, he later moved into producing and remixing. His earliest studio productions spawned the classic Tears with Robert Owen and Jamie Principle's Your Love and Baby Wants to Ride. And his enthusiasm shows no sign of waning.

As well as Frankie's set on Thursday, May 27, the team behind WHQ are promising a host of other exciting names over the next few weeks.