As reported last week, Chic guitarist/legend Nile Rodgers is battling cancer. He is updating his blog with regular posts about it, and it makes for a very moving read. If there is anyone left on the face of the planet who doesn’t think this guy is the shit, here’s a relatively recent interview clip where he dishes the dirt on Atlantic Records and Studio 54 dj Tom Savarese’s involvement with “Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah)”:
What a shitty few days for music. Disco pioneer Nile Rodgers, half of one of the 20th century’s greatest songwriting duos (Chic, along with Bernard Edwards) has announced via his blog that he is currently battling “aggressive” cancer.
Chic are to me what I guess the Beatles are to most other folk - a musical ground zero. Apart from writing the stone-cold classics “Le Freak”, “I Want Your Love” “Everybody Dance” and “Good Times” (thus inadvertently kick starting rap music) the Chic Organization also wrote and produced some of their biggest hits for acts like Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, Duran Duran, Madonna and David Bowie. But they weren’t just gifted songwriters and arrangers - both Rodgers and Edwards are/were incredibly talented musicians that had a huge impact on guitar and bass playing styles of the coming decade.
I was going to do a post about last year’s 4 CD Chic Organization box set on here anyway, but it seems more urgent now as Nile could presumably do with all the money he can get for his treatment. If you have ANY interest in popular music of the last 50 years then you really should look into this, but if you have a particular interest in dance, soul or funk, this is damn indespensable. Nile Rodgers presents The Chic Organization: Savoir Faire Boxset Vol. 1 contains all the big hits for Chic and others, in full extended 12” format, plus rare material, some unreleased tracks, and a few remix/remasters by French disco guru Dimitri From Paris.
Norma Jean “Saturday” (Dimitri From Paris Remix)
Fonzi Thornton “I Work For A Living” (Nile Rodgers Long Version)
Carly Simon “Why?” (Extended 12” Version)
Chic are one of the very few acts with true cross generational appeal and that are guaranteed to start any party. Rodgers has recently been touring with a revamped line-up of the group, and although he is the only original member left, it’s still an incredible show. Their debut appearance in Ireland, at the Electric Picnic festival in 2009, was probably the best gig I have ever been to. People really didn’t know what to expect, but by the end of the set the tent was filled to capacity and the electrified crowd were literally roaring for more. Nile Rodgers has had a massive influence on modern music, yet he exudes a blissful aura of love and happiness, the true spirit of disco. He is also my namesake, and I wish him a power of health and a speedy recovery.
Nile Rodgers talks about “Rapper’s Delight”
Nile Rodgers talks about writing “We Are Family”
Nile talks about wriiting “I’m Coming Out” for Diana Ross (very funny!)
