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Nile Rodgers

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

Nile Rodgers is an American guitarist, songwriter and producer. He was born in New York in 1952 and grew up in Greenwich Village, where jazz musicians such as Thelonious Monk were regular visitors. He played flute and clarinet at first and took up the guitar at sixteen. As a teenager he played in African, Latin, jazz and boogaloo bands. In 1970 he met the bassist Bernard Edwards. Together they started the Big Apple Band, which in 1977 became Chic.

Music and breakthrough

Chic blended jazz, soul and funk with elegant melodies. After the 1977 debut came Le Freak and I Want Your Love on C'est Chic (1978), and Good Times on Risqué (1979). The groove of Good Times was used in the Sugarhill Gang's Rapper's Delight and is one of the most sampled songs ever. The sound revolved around two things: Rodgers's short, rhythmic guitar playing, known as chucking, and Edwards's bouncing bass lines. Together they also wrote and produced for others, such as We Are Family by Sister Sledge and Upside Down and I'm Coming Out by Diana Ross.

Influence

After the end of Chic in 1983, Rodgers became a much-in-demand producer. He produced David Bowie's Let's Dance, Madonna's Like a Virgin and work by Duran Duran and INXS. Later he played on Daft Punk's Random Access Memories and worked with Beyoncé. His guitar playing links the disco of the 1970s with the dance music of today, and few musicians have helped shape so many hits.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Le Freak by Chic. Notice Rodgers's short, clipped guitar chords and how Bernard Edwards's bass keeps bouncing around them.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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See also

Categories: ArtistsNu-disco