Sunday, November 24, 2024

Walking on Planet C

Today's Quick Look Back

A Quick Look Back at Being with Ashford & Simpson on stage

I've always appreciated this gift called life, but sometimes I've taken it for granted. I've been clinically dead many times from drug overdoses but doctors have always brought me Back.

About a year ago, I was attacked by cancer. I started writing about my life everyday because I appreciated it even more now.

I don't want to live in the past - but it's a nice place to visit. My motto is, "Look Back, but don't stare!" This is just Today's Quick Look Back.

A Quick Look Back at the 15 year anniversary of my former partner Bernard Edwards' death in Tokyo

A Quick Look Back at 'Nard and me at Power Station

A Quick Look Back at me and Eric Clapton

A Quick Look Back at Elvis Costello at rehearsal

A Quick Look Back at me and Will.i.am

A Quick Look Back at me and Elton John about to play a few songs

A Quick Look Back at me and Lenny Kravitz backstage at our gig in London

A Quick Look Back at me and David Bowie

A Quick Look Back at the full early CHIC Organization

Le Freak:
An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny
Written by Nile Rodgers

Category: Biography & Autobiography - Personal Memoirs; Biography & Autobiography - Composers & Musicians; Music - Popular
Format: eBook, 336 pages
On Sale: October 2011
Price: $ 12.99
ISBN: 978-0-679-64403-3 (0-679-64403-2)

Available as a hardcover and eBook.

You will hear a Nile Rodgers song today. It will make you happy.

Today's pop music—genre-crossing, gender-bending, racially mixed, visually stylish, and dominated by dance music with global appeal—is the world that Nile Rodgers created. In the 1970s and 1980s, he wrote and produced the songs that defined that era and everything that came after: "Le Freak," "Good Times," "We Are Family," "Like a Virgin," "Modern Love," "I'm Coming Out," "The Reflex," "Rapper's Delight." Aside from his own band, Chic, he worked with everyone from Diana Ross and Madonna to David Bowie and Duran Duran (not to mention Mick Jagger, Debbie Harry, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, Prince, Rod Stewart, Robert Plant, Depeche Mode, Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, Grace Jones, Bryan Ferry, INXS, and the B-52's), transforming their music, selling millions of records, and redefining what a pop song could be.

Read more about order the memoir here:
"Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny"

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Stage Right

Walking on Planet C

Stage Right

The King's Speech from Stage Right

Today I watched a lot of the show from Stage Right. The overall theme of the show pays homage to film music. One of my favorite moments is when the orchestra plays Beethoven's 7th Symphony 2nd Movement. This was the music used in the film The King's Speech. It is deeply moving in the film and it was deeply moving from my perch at Stage Right.

I took a quick picture of Div4s & Seal on my way to Stage Right

Some orchestra members heading to the Stage

One of our string players just before playing Beethoven's 7th

VIDEO: The King's Speech 2010 / Beethoven 7th Symphony 2nd Movement Sequence

Le Freak:
An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny
Written by Nile Rodgers

Available as a hardcover and eBook.

You will hear a Nile Rodgers song today. It will make you happy.

Read more about order the memoir here:
"Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny"

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Through Lindsay's Eyes

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Through Lindsay's Eyes

Alison Moyet in the mirror Through Lindsay's Eyes

Alison Moyet's childhood friend is on this leg of the tour with us. She's a photographer. Her name is Lindsay Maggs - and this is the tour Through Lindsay's Eyes.

Alison Moyet in Berlin Through Lindsay's Eyes

Seal in Munich Through Lindsay's Eyes

Aida Proms Orchestra Through Lindsay's Eyes

John Miles in Mannheim Through Lindsay's Eyes

The dressing room in Berlin Through Lindsay's Eyes

CHIC's Kimberly Davis in Stuttgart Through Lindsay's Eyes

Me in Stuttgart Through Lindsay's Eyes

Alison Moyet in Mannheim Through Lindsay's Eyes

Me, Through Lindsay's Eyes

All photos by Lindsay Maggs

CHIC's "Good Times" through promstycoon's eyes

Le Freak:
An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny
Written by Nile Rodgers

Available as a hardcover and eBook.

You will hear a Nile Rodgers song today. It will make you happy.

Read more about order the memoir here:
"Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny"

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Let It Be

Walking on Planet C

Let It Be

Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers inner sleeve for C'est CHIC

This week marks the thirty-first anniversary of John Lennon's death. The song "Let It Be" was credited as Lennon/McCartney and it was their final song together. My partnership with Bernard Edwards was very similar in that we didn't always write together, but we always credited the songs that way during the years of the CHIC Organization LTD.

The last year of my life has caused me to take another look at my life - and the life of my former partner. As I was writing my blog today, I experienced two incidents of déjà vu. I believe this was a message to post this video again. It was a TV special produced by Br@in for WOWOW, that focuses on my life and Bernard's death in Japan. I'm not sure why the producer's chose this Lennon/ McCartney song - but there is something very powerful in the message "Let It Be."

WOWOW TV JAPAN
Documentary: Nile Rodgers
Duration: 43:45
Format: NTSC 16:9

Le Freak:
An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny
Written by Nile Rodgers

Available as a hardcover and eBook.

You will hear a Nile Rodgers song today. It will make you happy.

Read more about order the memoir here:
"Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny"

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Sights From the Bus

Walking on Planet C

Sights From the Bus

Alison Moyet and me on the Bus which really feels old-school like back in the day

Today is the first day that really feels like an old-school gig back in the day. After we played tonight, we left right away for Munich. Today is the only day that I'll only see Sights From The Bus.

Two Concorde Supersonic Aircrafts

Street theater puppeteers in front of the hotel

We left right after the show and jumped on the Bus

CHIC back in the day in Europe on The Bus

CHIC "CHIC Cheer!"

Le Freak:
An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny
Written by Nile Rodgers

Available as a hardcover and eBook.

You will hear a Nile Rodgers song today. It will make you happy.

Read more about order the memoir here:
"Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny"

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Classy With "Savoir-Faire"

Walking on Planet C

Classy With "Savoir-Faire"

I have a new appreciation for playing guitar. About a year ago, shortly after I was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of prostate cancer, I also had a neurological event that caused me to lose hand strength. My right hand is not quite what it was but it's getting better.

Next year I'm going to play live more than I've ever done since the CHIC Organization originally formed. I want to have the most complete musical experience I've ever had. We'll play a repertoire that includes medleys of more ethereal CHIC compositions as well as other big hits that we don't usually play because of time limitations.

I'm working on bringing a musical extravaganza to our world audience next year that's Classy With "Savoir-Faire."

Playing a bit of Savoir-Faire

Playing the intro to "Savoir-Faire" with Charlie Christian's guitar - the most expensive guitar I've ever played

CHIC "Savoir-Faire"

Le Freak:
An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny
Written by Nile Rodgers

Available as a hardcover and eBook.

You will hear a Nile Rodgers song today. It will make you happy.

Read more about order the memoir here:
"Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny"

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So Fine

Walking on Planet C

So Fine

"So Fine" movie poster

Last night I had a great hang in Berlin with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Hanks, Lana Wachowski, David Mitchell and other folks from the film Cloud Atlas, which was filming in Berlin. The RHCP concert was So Fine.

Today, the tour I'm with is headed to Mannheim, Germany. While riding on the bus, Alison Moyet asked me, "Would you ever consider doing a set of your lesser known songs?" I told her, "I'd love to."

I wrote a vibey CHIC song for a film called "So Fine" starring Ryan O'Neal. I thought the film was going to be really sexy because it was about a company that manufactured jeans that had the butt exposed through clear vinyl. The film wasn't sexy and we didn't give them the song, but I do want to perform it next year as part of a guitar solo medley. I think that might be So Fine.

Me, Anthony Kiedis, and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Lana Wachowski and David Mitchell from Cloud Atlas

Alison Moyet, CHIC, Seal, Div4s & NOTP Orchestra on German Tour

Flea, me, and Tom Hanks kicking it before RHCP gig in Berlin

Guitar solo which I'll expand into a medley

The vibey CHIC song I wrote for a film called "So Fine" starring Ryan O'Neal

Le Freak:
An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny
Written by Nile Rodgers

Available as a hardcover and eBook.

You will hear a Nile Rodgers song today. It will make you happy.

Read more about order the memoir here:
"Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny"

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The Funny Thing to Do

Walking on Planet C

The Funny Thing to Do

I got up out of bed to get my camera to take a picture of the climbing wisteria outside my window

Today, I was admiring the view from my bed at the Adlon Hotel in Berlin, Germany. I got up to get my camera to take a picture of it. I was so mesmerized by the climbing wisteria I didn't notice the robust conversation reverberating in the courtyard below.

After snapping a few photos I started to have a strange feeling that I was not the only person staring at something. I looked to my left and saw what appeared to be a seminar.

My eyes met a couple of the people at the gathering and I realized that I was stark naked. This is not unusual because I feel more comfortable without clothing when I'm alone. What was unusual was that I was fully revealed to these strangers because of the long hotel windows.

I smiled, shrugged my shoulders and took a photo of them. It was obvious that I wasn't trying to be exhibitionistic and I didn't want to appear too shocked. At that moment it seemed like The Funny Thing To Do.

This is the view from my bed at the Adlon Hotel

I took this photo of the people at the seminar next door

Le Freak:
An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny
Written by Nile Rodgers

Available as a hardcover and eBook.

You will hear a Nile Rodgers song today. It will make you happy.

Read more about order the memoir here:
"Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny"

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Simply Beautiful

Walking on Planet C

Simply Beautiful

Hotel Adlon

I know the Hotel Adlon is famous for a great many things. Of course no one can forget Michael Jackson dangling his baby out of the window and the frenzied German fans cheering him on. As I slid into my early morning bath I was overcome with one single thought. The Hotel is Simply Beautiful.

No one can forget Michael Jackson dangling his baby out of the window

I shot this poorly. The rear wall is convex and it leads to a second entrance to the seperate toilet room. The foyer ceiling is recessed and gold leafed

You can't tell how grand the room is because I wanted to stay out of the shot in the mirrors

There are so many geometrical angles these photos don't do the room justice

I can walk out to this Elevated Garden outside my living room

Many folks may not get the soulful simplicity of this Al Green song "Simply Beautiful." I played it throughout my entire bath this morning because it's Simply Beautiful..

Le Freak:
An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny
Written by Nile Rodgers

Available as a hardcover and eBook.

You will hear a Nile Rodgers song today. It will make you happy.

Read more about order the memoir here:
"Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny"

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The Next Show

Walking on Planet C

The Next Show

I'm thinking about how to make the CHIC portion of the show better on the way to The Next Show

I'm thinking about how to make the CHIC portion of the show better, while riding on the bus on the way to The Next Show.

We're getting more creative every show. The band is getting freer. We're improvising more. The orchestra can follow us under maestro Robert Groslot's direction. I can't wait to see how it develops by the end of The Next Show.

You can follow all the tour dates