Adonis | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Michael A. Smith |
Also known as | Jack Frost, Acid Budda, Gentry Ice, The Endless Poker, Percy Richblood |
Born | [1] | January 4, 1963
Origin | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 1983–present |
Labels |
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Formerly of | Clockwork |
Adonis (born Michael A. Smith, [2] current legal name Adonis M. Smith; [3] January 4, 1963) is a pioneering American acid house musician. Adonis is best known for his early Chicago house tracks "No Way Back" and "We're Rockin Down the House".
Born and raised on the West Side of Chicago, Adonis was introduced to music at a young age. He studied contemporary jazz at the American Conservatory of Music. Later on, he played bass guitar in several R&B bands and was eventually introduced to the house scene in Chicago through hearing Jesse Saunders' "On and On". [4]
As Michael A. Smith, he was a member of the band Clockwork. [5] They recorded "I'm Your Candy Girl" (1984), a post-disco boogie song.
In 1986, Adonis released "No Way Back", which is considered to be one of the most influential Chicago house tracks. The single, by estimate, sold over 100,000 copies and was selected as number 14 by on the 2014 Rolling Stone list of the 20 best Chicago house records. [6]
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