Music
Ken Collier
1949–1996 · club DJ
Black, gay Detroit DJ who bridged Motown-era soul and disco with house and techno and mentored a generation from the decks of Todd's and Club Heaven.
- Born
Detroit, Michigan- Died
Detroit, Michigan
aged 47- Also known as
- the Godfather of Detroit DJs
- Detroit years
- 1949–1996
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Ken Collier was born in Detroit in 1949 and spent a quarter of a century as a professional DJ, working largely within the city's Black gay club scene. He developed a mixing style that linked the soul and disco of the Motown era to the emerging sounds of house and techno, and Derrick May has said he learned from Collier's approach. With his brother Greg he played the earliest Detroit techno records, such as “Strings of Life”, at Todd's, a club known for adventurous dance music. He then ruled the Saturday after-hours sessions at Club Heaven, near Seven Mile and Woodward, often called Detroit's answer to New York's Paradise Garage; Kevin Saunderson remembered him there with a towel over his shoulder, dropping Inner City tracks. He also belonged to the Detroit Wasmopolitan Mixing Squad with Don Was. Collier died in February 1996 of complications from undiagnosed diabetes. Kelli Hand and other DJs named him as a key influence.
Highlights
- Played early Detroit techno records such as “Strings of Life” in clubs before they were widely known.
- Resident at the after-hours Club Heaven from the late 1980s until shortly before his death.
- Member of the Detroit Wasmopolitan Mixing Squad with Don Was.
- Cited as an influence by Derrick May and Kelli Hand.
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 2
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Performed here · late 1980s–1990s
Club Heaven (site)
Closed · 1984–1994
After-hours club and haven for Detroit's Black gay men, where Collier ruled Saturday nights; its sound system is being restored by the Detroit Sound Conservancy.
Performed here · 1980s
Todd's Sway Lounge & Todd's Other Side
Closed
The club where Ken and Greg Collier played the first Detroit techno records to a general audience.