Music
Mike Huckaby
1966–2020 · DJ, producer, educator
Beloved Detroit deep-house and techno DJ who held residencies at the city's key clubs and taught music production to young Detroiters.
- Born
Detroit, Michigan- Died
Royal Oak, Michigan
aged 54- Birth name
- Michael Huckaby
- Detroit years
- 1966–2020
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Mike Huckaby was born in Detroit and became one of the city's most respected DJs from the late 1980s on, known for sets that moved between Detroit techno, deep house and jazz. He was among the fill-in DJs at the Music Institute's Friday nights and went on to hold residencies at Motor in Hamtramck, Saint Andrew's Hall, Panacea and the Majestic Cafe. From the mid-1990s he also produced, releasing deep, jazz-inflected records that found a following in Europe, and he ran workshops abroad on synthesizers and sound design. At home he gave his time as a volunteer mentor at the nonprofit Youthville, teaching electronic music production to young people. In March 2020 he suffered a mild stroke; while in hospital he contracted COVID-19 and died on April 24, 2020, aged 54. His death, early in the pandemic, was mourned across the global techno community.
Highlights
- Resident DJ at Motor, Saint Andrew's Hall, Panacea and the Majestic Cafe.
- Occasional fill-in DJ at the Music Institute in 1988–1989.
- Volunteer mentor teaching music production at Youthville Detroit.
- Died of hospital-acquired COVID-19 in April 2020.
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 4
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 1990s–2000s
Motor
Closed
One of his residencies; Motor was the leading Detroit-area techno club after 1996.
Performed here · 1990s
Saint Andrew’s Hall
He held a DJ residency at the downtown hall.
Performed here
Majestic Cafe (Majestic Theatre complex)
Another of his residencies, in the Majestic Theatre complex in Midtown.
Performed here · 1988–1989
The Music Institute
Closed · 1988–1989
He filled in on the club's Friday “Next Generation” nights.