Francis Nicholls , better known by his stage name Frankie Knuckles ( January 18 , 1955 -- March 31 , 2014 ) , was an American DJ and record producer .
Francis Warren Nicholls , Jr. ( January 18 , 1955 -- March 31 , 2014 ) , better known by his stage name Frankie Knuckles , was an American DJ , record producer , and remixer .