Eddie Fowlkes (born December 24, 1962) is an American techno DJ. He was influential to the early Detroit techno scene.[1]

Biography

Eddie Fowlkes was born on December 24, 1962, in Detroit, Michigan.[2][3] After attending a 1978 Charivari party with his older sisters where he saw DJ Darryl Shannon mixing records, Fowlkes requested a mixer for Christmas and then made his DJ debut in the late 70s.[4] He was part of Juan Atkins's Deep Space DJ collective which included Art Payne, Keith Martin, and Derrick May who was also Fowlkes's roommate.[5][6][7] In the 1980s, Fowlkes performed with three turntables, a mixer, wah-wah pedal and the 808 & 909 drum machines.

Kevin Saunderson said that seeing Fowlkes DJ at a fraternity party inspired him to get involved in the Deep Space Crew and become a better DJ.[8]

After hearing a Cybotron performance, Fowlkes moved from being interested solely in DJing to creating his own records. Borrowing equipment from Atkins, he trained his ear and taught himself to play the keyboard over a couple of months.[5] While Fowlkes and May were roommates, Fowlkes built his studio in his bedroom and started working on his first record.[9] His first release under his own name was issued in 1986. That release on Metroplex Records, "Goodbye Kiss",[10] helped establish what would come to be known as Detroit techno.[5]

With the 1991 M.I.D release of Detroit techno soul, Fowlkes introduced the concept of Techno soul because "Detroit ... is both house heads and techno heads."[6] Then followed the 1993 Tresor release The Birth of Technosoul, with 3MB (Moritz von Oswald and Thomas Fehlmann).[2]

Eddie Fowlkes's handprints are cemented on the Detroit Historical Museum's Legends Plaza as a techno music pioneer.[11]

Discography

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Citations

  1. ^ "Eddie Flashin' Fowlkes | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Birchmeier, Jason (2001). "Eddie 'Flashin' Fowlkes". All Music Guide to Electronica: The Definitive Guide to Electronic Music. All Media Guide; Backbeat Books. p. 190. ISBN 0-87930-628-9. OCLC 46456357.
  3. ^ Larkin, Colin, ed. (2000). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music. Muze UK; Virgin Books. p. 161. ISBN 0-7535-0427-8. OCLC 59455393.
  4. ^ "Eddie Fowlkes: "Other places call their music Techno too, but it's their Techno, not Detroit Techno"". Magnetic Magazine. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  5. ^ a b c "Interview: Eddie Fowlkes". XLR8R. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  6. ^ a b Burns, Todd L. (August 15, 2012). "Eddie Fowlkes: The Belleville Fourth". Resident Advisor. Archived from the original on January 1, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  7. ^ Reynolds, Simon (2012). Energy Flash: A Journey through Rave Music and Dance Culture. Soft Skull Press. p. 7. ISBN 9781593764074. OCLC 779347351.
  8. ^ Sicko 1999, pp. 81–82.
  9. ^ "Exclusive Interview: Eddie Fowlkes Dishes On Derrick May, Ellen Allien, and Gabber". We Got This Covered. June 8, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  10. ^ Hoffmann, Frank W. (2006). American Popular Music: Rhythm and Blues, Rap, and Hip-Hop. Facts on File. pp. 95–96. ISBN 0-8160-5315-4. OCLC 57691994.
  11. ^ "Legends Plaza | Detroit Historical Society". detroithistorical.org. Retrieved August 9, 2017.

Works cited

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