Iconic ‘Voice of House Music’ producer Chuck Roberts dies at age 66

The revered “Voice of House Music” Chuck Roberts has died at age 66, leaving fans and industry members heartbroken.

Chuck Roberts has deeply impacted the music world with his moving spoken-word sermons and contributions as a songwriter, producer, and vocalist. Sadly, the music icon passed away on June 6^th after a valiant battle with cancer.  While sources state that Roberts died peacefully at his home in Berwyn, Illinois, his passing still serves as an immense loss.

Roberts began his music career as early as six, performing as a vocalist at religious events.  Furthermore, he joined an R&B group in his early teens, showcasing an unmatched gift and passion for his craft.  Undoubtedly, the Chicago native’s exposure to the power of spoken word in the church paved the way for his prolific music career.

Chuck Roberts quickly became a legendary figure in the Chicago house scene, lauded widely for his powerful sermons. Unquestionably, his most widely recognized contribution has been his intro verses on Rhythm Controll’s 1987 track “My House”.  From this sermon came his ever-memorable phrase, “In the beginning, there was Jack.”

Following his feature on “My House,” Roberts essentially became the “Voice of House Music”. Since then, artists across a wide variety have used his vocal samples in their music. Roberts’ distinctive voice and lyrical don enraptured audiences globally, sure to leave an indelible legacy for decades more.

Chuck Roberts’ contributions to the genre have certainly inspired countless artists, giving rise to modern successors such as Dances and Channel Tres.  As we bid a bittersweet farewell to Chuck Roberts, his memory will continue to resonate loudly through his music. To relive Chuck Roberts’ legacy through his own lens, check out his Instagram page.

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Having grown up just an earshot from Ultra Miami’s venue Bayfront Park, it was next to impossible for me not to fall in love with electronic music. My love for music was evidently strong enough for me to write my college essay on festival culture and continue attending Ultra for 10+ years now. I have always had a knack for writing and the power of words, which I continued cultivating through a Philosophy degree in college. Now, I am finishing up law school and hope to merge my passions by working in the music industry. I am an avid traveler and am certainly not afraid to hop on a plane for a music event. My next bucket list items to attend are Tomorrowland in Belgium and ADE in the Netherlands. Though the list could go on forever, some of my favorite artists include Franky Wah, Kevin de Vries, Eli Brown, and John Summit.

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