Chic

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Chic is an American disco band founded in 1972 by the guitarist Nile Rodgers and the bassist Bernard Edwards. They met in 1970 as session musicians in New York, first formed a rock band, The Boys, and then The Big Apple Band, and played in the group New York City, which had a hit in 1973 with I'm Doing Fine Now. When that group broke up in 1976, they adopted the name Chic. Rodgers was inspired by a Roxy Music concert and wanted a group whose music and image formed a whole. Kiss was also an influence. They brought in the drummer Tony Thompson, the keyboard player Raymond Jones and the singer Norma Jean Wright, later joined by Luci Martin.

Music and breakthrough

In 1977 the self-titled debut album Chic appeared on Atlantic Records, with Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah) and Everybody Dance. In 1978 came C'est Chic, with Le Freak and I Want Your Love, and in 1979 Risqué with Good Times. Real People, Take It Off and It's About Time in 2018 followed later. According to Rodgers, Chic was a rock band for the disco movement, which delivered what the hippies had promised with peace, love and freedom.

Influence

The music revolves around Rodgers's sharp, rhythmic guitar, Edwards's walking bass lines and the tight drums. The result is an elegant, danceable groove. Chic was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the eleventh time in 2017 and still performs as Nile Rodgers & Chic.

Listening

• 
  Le Freak · Chic, 1978
  Apple Music ↗

Discography

Studio albums

• 1977Chic
• 1978C’est Chic
• 1979Risqué
• 1980Real People
• 1981Take It Off
• 1982Tongue in Chic
• 1983Believer
• 1992Chic-ism
• 2018It’s About Time

See also

• C’est Chic
• Tongue in Chic
• Chic-ism