Chicago House Artist William S has Passed Away

“I’ll Never Let You Go” producer William S “experienced many health issues,” according to fellow producer Chip E.

Another artist with close ties to early Chicago house music has passed away before his time. William Stover, known by aliases like William S and Chubby, died on Saturday, July 6.

Stover’s cause of death has not been shared publicly at the time of writing. Chicago house producer Chip E shared the news of his passing in a Facebook post, writing that “Chubby experienced many health issues as well as surgeries, and very sadly succumbed to his health issues.”

William Stover’s imprint on house music dates all the way back to the genre’s nascent years as he released his most influential single, “I’ll Never Let You Go,” via Trax Records in 1987. The deep house odyssey’s haunting chords and understated percussion were heard by audiences both domestically and across the pond.

As Chubby, Stover produced tracks like “Work The Wax” for Chilly T and “Must Be The Music” for Faheem, both on Jesse Saunders‘ Dance Mania label. He also worked with Adonis under the name The Sweat Boyz, and with Lidell Townsell as The Spontaneous Ones, The Jury, and Two Of A Kind. He also helped produce Chip E’s 1987 single, “Godfather of House.”

Stover is not the first classic Chicago house music music artist to pass away in recent memory. Last month, “My House” vocalist Chuck Roberts died following a battle with cancer — and another prolific house vocalist named Kathy Brown is currently in the midst of her own struggle with the illness. Outside of house music, pop star Dario G and early drum and bass figurehead MC Conrad also recently passed away.

A memorial service for William Stover will take place at Jones Funeral Home in Chicago at 1:30pm on Monday, July 15. We here at EDM Identity express our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones at this time.