THIS IS A MEMORIAL PAGE TO AN ICONIC CHICAGO NIGHTCLUB(S)
Alas, The Generator is no more, but many have fond memories of this dance club; primarily black & gay. The story of how the club came to be can be found in various interviews (search Google) or Jesse Saunder’s book “In Their Own Words”. I did the primary club design and was the first manager and lead resident DJ. When the club first open
ed, resident DJ’s were myself (Tyrone Mixx), Keith Royals, & Dana Powell. The owners wanted a bougie glitzy nightclub, which they eventually transferred it into some 15 years after the doors first opened. I won. I wanted to create an homage to Robert Williams (US Studio, Warehouse, & Music Box) and Frankie Knuckles (Warehouse, Power Plant & Power House). The dream worked. Not bad. The actual address was 306 N Halsted. Facebook demanded I change the address to "308" here so it doesn't conflict with the current club now open up at the same location - The Mid (2015)
(UPDATE: In 2020 The Mid (orig The Generator) closed and the block razed for the usual glass & steel high rises. What started as my dream club became a haven for HOUSE & dance music for 27 years. The Generator became an ICON for clobbers.) The Generator went through three phases. 1) the original club as envisioned by Tyrone Mixx 2) the years after Ty left and 3) briefly in the 2000's when it reopened as The New Generator. In between 2 & 3 it was a straight club called Rive Gauche. After The New Generstor failed it became a full-time straight venue as Mannequin and currently the highly successful The Mid. The owners have remained the same throughout: Nick Mandis & James Allen Misovec (brothers-in-law). The club has been licensed throughout under the name of Penelope Mandis, one of Nick's sisters. Nick & Jim also owned the Stop & Drink - which will also be covered here and eventually on the website:
http://thegeneratorchicago.com
Please be encouraged and feel free to share your memories and stories. A small random sample of my collection of 500+ tapes recorded at the Stop & Drink, The Generator, and Club Escape can be found on the above website. Over time more & more tapes will be added. I deeply miss the years entertaining "the kids". There are so many fond memories spinning at the clubs, especially the "kickers" who drove me crazy at times. LOL Hopefully many of you have happy memories of our "youth" and remains in your hearts too! For the love of House Music and Chicago - ty
