Chances are you’ve heard Sister Sledge’s classic pop and R&B tune, “We Are Family,” on the radio, at a wedding reception, or remember it as the anthem of the 1979 World Series champion. , Pittsburgh Pirates. . The song was written by musicians Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, co-founders of the late 1970s R & B / Disco group Chic. While disco music eventually died, Nile Rodgers’ musical talents penetrate the music scene even today and his accomplishments are remarkable. Rodgers recounts his life in his new memoirs, The phenomenon, named for the Chic Monster from 1978.
Nile Rodgers is the son of Nile Rodgers Sr., a talented musician who, unfortunately, died penniless in New York City due to his addiction to alcohol and drugs.
Rodgers’ mother, Beverly (forever by his first name), he met Niles Sr. at the age of 13 (he was 16). Their initial sexual encounter created Niles Jr.
Much of Rodgers’ life involved alcohol and drugs before entering the music business. His mother and stepfather, Bobby, were addicted to heroin; and Rodgers was introduced to snorting glue at age 13 to begin with.
Growing up, Rodgers was transferred between New York City and Los Angeles to be with the family. He developed his musical talents early on, enjoying numerous opportunities to perform with industry titans, including Screamin Jay Hawkins and Jimi Hendrix.
She met Bernard Edwards while playing the Chitlin ‘Circuit (a series of black nightclubs stretching from Buffalo, New York to South Florida). Musically, the two could read each other’s minds. They would go on to create the R & B / Pop group, Chic.
Rodgers shares many intriguing behind-the-scenes stories about the music industry, including the origins of Chic’s smash hit, The phenomenon. Famous club performer Grace Jones had invited Rodgers and Edwards to her show at Studio 54, Manhattan’s infamous nightclub; and they were denied entry.
The duo returned to a friend’s nearby apartment. There they drank Dom Perignon, snorted cocaine and vent their frustrations on bass and guitar. “Awww-f *** off Studio 54” became “Awww, freak out” which became The monster flashy chorus.
The phenomenon was an international hit, giving Chic his first seven-figure check for his label’s only triple platinum single. “The zen of this was that by not getting what we wanted, we got more than we imagined,” says Rodgers.
Rodgers chronicles work with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including David Bowie, Madonna, and Diana Ross.
In 1980, superstar Diana Ross was looking to reinvent her career. Her record label, Motown, paired her with Edwards and Rodgers for the project. Despite their best efforts, Motown did not like the results and demanded that the master tapes be returned for their own post-production arrangements.
Devastated, the duo firmly believed that they had produced quality work. Finally, Motown launched its original production in awe. “Diana” became Diana Ross’ best-selling album of her career, with the number one hit, “Upside Down,” and the top-five pop single, “I’m Coming Out.”
Studio 54 became Rodgers’ number one hangout during his day. He vividly describes her appeal to serious partygoers and the top-notch crowd, with lots of sex and drugs. “It may seem highly unlikely these days, but within Studio there was a Dionysian sense of belonging and trust. Nothing was taboo.”
Racism is no stranger to Rodgers, having experienced it periodically, including during Chic’s rise. He and Edwards visited a Mercedes Benz dealership in Manhattan. “A vendor approached us to try to gently chase us out of the store. It was clear to him that people like us couldn’t afford his products,” he says. His post-chic years found him accepting party invitations on Martha’s Vineyard and being turned away by the gorillas at the door, due to his dark hue.
The list of 9/11 victims brought sad news to Rodgers, as he recognized the name of one of the dead, a woman who had photographed him several times to Billboard magazine. Rodgers received numerous calls from family, friends and acquaintances suggesting that he reinvent his classic song “We Are Family” in tribute to our national tragedy. He forced, gathering celebrities, singers and emergency workers in New York to re-record the tune, not unlike the 1985 “We Are The World” celebration. He also put together a Los Angeles version.
The We Are Family Foundation originated from the bi-coastal project and today it is a successful non-profit organization. He is dedicated to building a global family striving to solve some of the biggest global challenges.
The phenomenon Read the full circle as Rodgers poignantly describes the circumstances surrounding the death of Bernard Edwards, his longtime friend and business partner. They were both in Japan in 1996, where Rodgers was honored for his musical achievements. During his long performance, Edwards fell ill but defied doctor’s orders to cancel the second part of the show.
Following his performance, at 1:33 am, Rodgers woke up from a nightmare believing he was experiencing an earthquake. He landed on the ground and finally fell asleep again. Hotel staff woke him up in the morning to inform him that Edwards (who was in a room across the hall) was not responding to his wake-up call. Rodgers knocked loudly on Edwards’s door, but never answered. Upon entering his room, he and the housekeeper found him dead.
Reporting to the coroner about Edwards’ last hours to determine the time of his death, he described his earthquake dream. The forensic doctor assured him that there had been no earthquake. “That was your friend who left you. Time of death is 1:33 am, just like you said. Thanks for this information.”
The phenomenon it transcends being another story of a self-indulgent musician. Sober since 1994, Rodgers is busier than ever and is currently working on a project with American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert.
Rodgers reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit, that despite a turbulent childhood and periods of being a wandering adult, we can reinvent our lives.
To find out more about the We Are Family Foundation, visit: http://www.wearefamilyfoundation.org.