Chuck Roberts, an iconic figure in Chicago house music, has passed away. Roberts is most renowned for his spoken-word contribution to Rhythm Controll's 1987 single "My House," a piece often revered as "the house music gospel." The announcement of his death was shared by Chicago house DJ and producer Terry Hunter on Facebook, who expressed disbelief and sorrow over the loss.
Roberts was born on Chicago’s West Side and grew up in a family deeply connected to the church. He began singing at religious events from a young age and joined his first band at 13. His initial commercial success came with the funk band Mister's 1983 track “I Wanna Thank You.” However, it was his work on "My House" that immortalized him in house music history.
In a 2020 interview, Roberts recalled how the track came to be after producer Tony Lewis reached out to him to define "what house music is." The recording of his now-legendary words, “In the beginning, there was Jack, and Jack had a groove…,” took only about five takes.
"My House" became an anthem, especially during the UK's acid house movement, which brought significant attention to US dance music artists. Roberts' vocals were also sampled in Fingers Inc's influential 1988 track “Can You Feel It.”
In the latter part of his career, Roberts continued to produce and collaborate on new music, including the 2020 track “I Choose To Live” and the 2024 release “Oscillator” by Illusionize and DJ Glen. His impact extended beyond his music, as he was known for mentoring and encouraging many within the industry.
Chuck Roberts leaves behind a legacy deeply woven into the fabric of house music, remembered not only for his iconic voice but also for his role in shaping the genre and inspiring future generations.
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