Nile Rodgers
By All Music Guide
By All Music Guide
ew wave-based Allah & the Knife Wielding Punks. But the duos love remained in dance music, and their next musical project would put them on the map, as they formed Chic. With exceptional drummer Tony Thompson plus singers Norma Jean Wright and Alfa Anderson rounding out the lineup, Chic quickly grabbed a record deal with Atlantic. Almost immediately, Chic became the kings (and queens) of the dance/disco domain, scoring such hit albums as 1977s Chic, 1978s Cest Chic, and 1979s Risqué. But it was Chics up-tempo, infectious hit singles that became dancefloor standards, including Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah), and especially a pair of chart-toppers, Le Freak and Good Times. With the dawn of the 80s came the infamous, massive disco backlash, which Chic got caught up in, as their albums sold less and less, resulting in the groups split in 1983. But Rodgers music career was just beginning. Towards the end of his tenure in Chic, he had begun producing (and writing for) other artists, including hits for Sister Sledge (We Are Family) and Diana Ross (Im Coming Out). So with Chic no longer occupying most of his time, Rodgers was free to focus solely on working with others. What followed was an amazing string of some of the 80s biggest albums and singles. First up was David Bowie, who was looking for a musical makeover. Rodgers sure did deliver with 1983s Lets Dance, which remains Bowies all-time best-selling album. From there, offers from others flooded in, as Rodgers scored further hits -- Duran Durans Arena, Madonnas Like a Virgin, Mick Jaggers Shes the Boss, Jeff Becks Flash, The B-52s Roam, and the Vaughan Brothers Family Style, among countless others. Additionally, Rodgers found the time during this hectic period to issue a pair of solo albums, 1983s Adventures in the Land of the Good Groove and 1985s B-Movie Matinee, although they failed to match the success of his work with others. Rodgers and Edwards put together a reunited version of Chic in the early 90s (with an all-new supporting cast), which toured and even issued an album, 1992s Chic-Ism. Rodgers was saluted with his own tribute show in Japan on April 18, 1996, which saw Rodgers joined on-stage by his old pal Edwards, as well as Sister Sledge, Steve Winwood, Simon LeBon, and Slash. Despite it being an evening of celebration, Edwards tragically passed away from pneumonia later that same night. Rodgers continues to be active to this day, as he is the founder of the We Are Family Foundation, and produced Duran Durans comeback album, which featured all their original members. Rodgers also owns his own national music distribution company, Sumthing Distribution, which specializes in video game soundtracks.
