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History lessons from our invited guests

Chicago was the center of the indie-rock world when Pitchfork (and Flatstock 17) descended on Union Park. The weather cooperated (mostly), and the music did not disappoint. The live incarnation of studio-act Caribou sounded fantastic. The Hold Steady were ecstatic and played like it. Dizzee Rascal’s club-ready hip-hop worked in his daytime festival slot. And the soaring harmonies and quick wits of Fleet Foxes were a revelation—no set won closer, more respectful attention from so large a crowd.

But perhaps most interesting were the tidbits of history shared by two of the Festival’s elder statesmen: Jarvis Cocker and Chuck D. When Jarvis came out for an encore to his entertaining set, everyone was expecting something from the Pulp catalog. But what we got was a tribute to Chicago as the home of house music and a live-band cover of “Face It” by Master C & J. It showed Cocker’s range as a performer and consumer of music and was a fascinating surprise choice as a closer. (Thanks to creamteam.tv for confirming the title and artist.)

When they’d completed their energetic rendition of seminal album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, Public Enemy started in on some of its greatest hits. Before charging into “Can’t Truss It,” Chuck D paid respect to Pink House, the man he said was responsible for breaking hip-hop in Chicago. “Some of ya’ll don’t know Pink House,” Chuck said. From the crowd’s lack of response, none of us all knew Pink House. Apparently, Pink House hosted Friday Night Audio, a house remix show on Chicago’s WKKC (89.3 FM). Then, according to this interview with Chicago rhymer Infinito, Pink House became a program director figure at Chicago’s 106 Jamz (106.7 FM), known throughout the hip-hop community as Chicago’s one true hip-hop station. Pink House has since died, and 106 Jamz is off the air. But the man and the station he created continue to be name-checked in the blogosphere.

Most fascinating to me here is the idea that Pink House might have been a link between the kind of house music Jarvis covered and the hip-hop Public Enemy pioneered. If you were around then, or if you know anything about that transition, let us know in the comments. We’re curious.