Peter Slaghuis
Encyclopedia
Peter Slaghuis was a Dutch
DJ
, producer
and remix
er, whose work was mostly released under the name Hithouse (a literal translation of his last name — slag, a hit, a beat; and huis, house).
Slaghuis was born in Rijswijk
, Netherlands
. He was a figure in the European dance music
scene in the 1980s, producing popular remixes of various hits
(most notably the "Long Vocal Dutch Mix" of "I Can't Wait
" by Nu Shooz
). Slaghuis stated "I hated that song so much... I just has to put a hook over it." With the arrival of house music
in Europe, Slaghuis took up the pseudonym Hithouse and began using his sampling
techniques in this field. His best known work, "Jack To the Sound of the Underground", reached #14 on the UK Singles Chart
in 1988. His next few works did not attain the same level of success.
He was part of the VideoKids
group, which released the song "Woodpeckers From Space
" in 1985, featuring Slaghuis in the video
.
Peter Slaghuis also delivered remixes to the Disco Mix Club Disco Mix Club
which published them on their monthly and compilation CDs. One of his most famous mixes was Madonna
's "La Isla Bonita".
Slaghuis' career was cut short by his death, at the age of 30, in a car accident in 1991.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
DJ
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
, producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
er, whose work was mostly released under the name Hithouse (a literal translation of his last name — slag, a hit, a beat; and huis, house).
Slaghuis was born in Rijswijk
Rijswijk
Rijswijk is a town and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. It is a suburb of The Hague and covers an area of 14.48 km² ....
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. He was a figure in the European dance music
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
scene in the 1980s, producing popular remixes of various hits
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
(most notably the "Long Vocal Dutch Mix" of "I Can't Wait
I Can't Wait (Nu Shooz song)
"I Can't Wait" is the title of a song recorded by American group Nu Shooz from the album Poolside. The song was originally recorded the previous year and became a popular radio track in and around the band's hometown of Portland, Oregon...
" by Nu Shooz
Nu Shooz
Nu Shooz is an American Freestyle-R&B-Dance group fronted by husband-and-wife team of John Smith and Valerie Day, based in Portland, Oregon. The Shooz released four albums in the U.S...
). Slaghuis stated "I hated that song so much... I just has to put a hook over it." With the arrival of house music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
in Europe, Slaghuis took up the pseudonym Hithouse and began using his sampling
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
techniques in this field. His best known work, "Jack To the Sound of the Underground", reached #14 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in 1988. His next few works did not attain the same level of success.
He was part of the VideoKids
VideoKids
VideoKids were a 1980s euro disco/italo disco duo from The Netherlands, formed in 1984 and led by Peter Slaghuis, who died in a car accident in 1991, and Bianca Bonelli, who also had a solo hit single called "Je veux lámour". They were probably most famous for their "Woodpeckers From Space" song...
group, which released the song "Woodpeckers From Space
Woodpeckers From Space
Woodpeckers From Space is the most popular song from the italo disco group called VideoKids. The Music Video featured Peter Slaghuis who was the lead singer, who died in a car accident in 1991. Bianca Bonelli was also in the band. The video also featured a space animal that was used for a Woodpecker...
" in 1985, featuring Slaghuis in the video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
.
Peter Slaghuis also delivered remixes to the Disco Mix Club Disco Mix Club
Disco Mix Club
Disco Mix Club is a DJ remix service founded by Tony Prince which began as a radio show in 1981 on Radio Luxembourg in the UK. Prince helped popularise a new style of DJ mixes using the turntable as an instrument. DMC started operating as a remix service in 1983. They started producing remix...
which published them on their monthly and compilation CDs. One of his most famous mixes was Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's "La Isla Bonita".
Slaghuis' career was cut short by his death, at the age of 30, in a car accident in 1991.
External links
- Memorial website operated by his mother (Dutch / English)
- Biography at DISCOGS.com (English)