Nile Rodgers & Chic
December 13, SEC, Glasgow
A man who has brought the party so many times you wonder when he last saw a morning, Nile Rodgers's energy is as endless as his hits. As cofounder of Chic with bassist Bernard Edwards, he headed disco's gold standard band and set the template for what came next, influencing new wave, art rock and hip hop.
When disco was increasingly dominated by faceless producers out to make a formulaic fast buck, Chic oozed character, modelling themselves as a rock band for the disco movement "that made good on hippie peace, love and freedom". With platinum albums C'est Chic (1978) and Risque (1979), they gave new energy to disco by stripping it back to nimble grooves and funky rhythms and fired off a volley of classics such as Le Freak (the biggest selling single in the history of Atlantic Records) and Good Times, a track that went on to be one of the most sampled records of all time. Elements of the song feature at least twice in the career of obvious Chic descendants Daft Punk, both on early smash Around The World and on Give Life Back To Music from 2013's Random Access Memories album, which features contributions from Rodgers.
Collaboration and creating – not simply relaying the old hits – is Rodgers's lifeblood, his unique ideas and innovative production with the likes of David Bowie, Diana Ross and Madonna helping to sell over 500 million albums and 75 million singles worldwide. His work with Daft Punk is just
one of many projects he's taken up in recent years, with collaborations with Sam Smith, Disclosure and Avicii aka Swedish producer Tim Bergling keeping him where he's been for the best part of 40 years – at the vanguard of exciting, fresh, contemporary music. A couple of months ago, Rodgers stated that he made at least 10 unreleased tracks with the late Swede, who died earlier this year at the age of 28.
With a delightful legacy to look back on of having made the world dance, other 66-year-olds would maybe slow down, play some low key gigs, content themselves with a quieter life and watch the royalties roll in. There are few signs he intends to hang pack up his "Hitmaker" – the lightweight Fender Stratocaster on which Edwards taught him to play in the distinctive chop chord style they called "chucking".
Instead, Rodgers and Chic are now out on their first UK arena tour, with an extensive US tour with Cher scheduled for the new year. The tour coincides with the release of It's About Time, Chic's first album in 25 years. Featuring a roll call of guest musicians from Elton John to Emeli Sande, Lady Gaga to Craig David, its lead single Till The World Falls is an irresistible anthem in praise of dancing away one's troubles.
Before the album's release, Rodgers revealed he was hospitalised last year for a cancer treatment and said his prognosis is “100% recovery”. These dates, rescheduled from 2017, feature just one Scottish stop-off and Rodgers admits a particular affection for the city, where Chic headlined both days of his Fiesta x FOLD festival at Kelvingrove Bandstand earlier this year.
He said. “Christmas is indeed coming and we are putting together 'the' party of the festive season. The entire night will be programmed by me and in addition to all our hits will include my man MistaJam on the wheels of steel. Come to dance!”
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