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{{Short description|American disco band}}
{{unreferenced|article|date=May 2007}}
{{for|the band's eponymous album|Chic (album)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}}
| Name = Chic
{{Infobox musical artist
| Img = Chic79.jpg
| name = Chic
| Img_capt = Chic in 1979; From Left: Bernard Edwards (bass), Alfa Anderson (vocal), Luci Martin (vocal), Nile Rodgers (guitar), Tony Thompson (drums)
| Img_size = | image = Chicgf.JPG
| Landscape = | landscape = yes
| caption = Chic performing at ] 2012<br>(l-r): Davis, Rodgers, Folami, Barnes
| Background = group_or_band
| alias = The Boys (1972)<br/>The Big Apple Band (1972–1977)<ref name="Huey">{{cite web|author=Steve Huey|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/chic-mn0000092942|title=Chic|publisher=]|date=2024-11-25}}</ref>
| Origin = ], ]
| origin = ], New York, U.S.
| Genre = ], ], ], ], ], ], ]
| genre = {{flatlist|
| Years_active = 1976–1983<br />1990–1992<br />1996<br />1998–present
* ]
| Label = ], ], ], ], ]
* ]
| Associated_acts =
* ]
| URL =
* ]
| Current_members = ]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]
}}
| Past_members = ] (deceased)<br />]<br />]<br />] (deceased)<br />]<br /> ]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br /> ]<br />]<br />]
| years_active = {{flatlist|
| Notable_instruments =
* 1972–1983<ref name="Huey"/>
* 1990–1992
* 1996–present
}}
| label = {{flatlist|
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
}}
| associated_acts = ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]
| website =
| current_members = * ]
* Jerry Barnes
* Kimberly Davis
* Audrey Martells
* Ralph Rolle
* Russell Graham
* Richard Hilton
* Steve Jankowski
* Ken Gioffre
| past_members = * ]
* ]
* ]
* Luci Martin
* ]
* Curt Ramm
* ]
* Folami
* Robert Sabino
* ]
}} }}
{{otheruses3|Chic}}
'''Chic''' (]. {{IPA2|ʃiːk}}, sometimes fully capitalised as CHIC) is a ] ]/] band that was formed in 1976 by ]ist ] and ] ]. They are best known for their commercially successful ] songs, including "Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)" (1977), "]" (1977), "]" (1978), "I Want Your Love" (1978), "]" (1979), and "My Forbidden Lover" (1979).


'''Chic''' (stylized '''CHIC'''; {{IPAc-en|ʃ|iː|k}} {{respell|SHEEK|'}}), currently called '''Nile Rodgers & Chic''', is an American ] band founded in 1972 mainly by guitarist ] and bassist ].<ref name="Huey"/> It recorded many commercially successful disco songs, including "]" (1977), "]" (1977), "]" (1978), "]" (1978), "]" (1979), and "]" (1979). The group regarded themselves as a rock band for the disco movement "that made good on ] peace, love and freedom".<ref name=Christgau>{{cite news| url= https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/04/books/review/le-freak-an-upside-down-story-of-family-disco-and-destiny-by-nile-rodgers-book-review.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2 |title= The Rock Days of Disco | first= Robert | last= Christgau | work= ] | author-link= Robert Christgau | date= December 2, 2011| accessdate= }}</ref> In 2017, Chic was nominated for induction into the ] for the eleventh time.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2016/music/news/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-2017-nominees-tupac-journey-1201890991 |title=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2017 Nominees Include Tupac Shakur, Journey, Chic |website=Variety |date= 2016-10-18 |access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref>
==History==
=== 1976–1978: Origins and early singers===
Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards met in 1970. They formed a ] called The Boys (later the Big Apple Band) and played numerous gigs around New York City, but despite interest in their demos, they could not get a record contract when the music companies discovered they were black; the ] of the day said black artists couldn't play "rock".


== History ==
Undeterred, in 1977 Edwards and Rodgers had former ] and Ecstasy, Passion & Pain drummer ] join the band. They performed as a trio, doing ] at various gigs for awhile. The trio needed a singer to front the band. That singer was ], who sang lead on their ] and on all the songs on their first, self-titled album (1977).
=== 1970–1978: Origins and early singers ===
] and ] met in 1970 as ]s working in the New York City area. They formed a rock band initially named The Boys, but soon changed it to The Big Apple Band, and played numerous gigs around New York City.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography">{{cite book
| first= Martin C.
| last= Strong
| year= 2000
| title= The Great Rock Discography
| edition= 5th
| publisher=Mojo Books
| location= Edinburgh
| page= 177
| isbn= 1-84195-017-3}}</ref> Despite interest in their demos, they never garnered a record contract. Both joined the band ], which had a hit record in 1973 with ]". The original demo tapes were made by DJ/studio engineer Robert Drake, who first played ] while DJing at a New York after hours club called Night Owl. New York City broke up in 1976. After ] released the single and album "]" under the name Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band, Edwards and Rodgers changed their band name to Chic.


Inspired after attending a concert by English ] band ], Rodgers began developing the idea for the group whose music and image would form a seamless and immersive whole, taking additional influence from the anonymous, make-up wearing American rock band ].<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s2TTEJDvwY |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/3s2TTEJDvwY |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status= live| title= Nile Rodgers Talks about Roxy Music and KISS|date=October 21, 2011| via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> During 1977, Edwards and Rodgers recruited drummer ], formerly with ] and ], to join the band; they performed as a trio doing ] at various gigs.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/> Thompson recommended keyboardist Raymond Jones, 19, to join the band, as he had worked with him in Ecstasy, Passion & Pain. Needing a singer to become a full band, they engaged ] by an agreement permitting her to have a solo career in addition to her work for the band.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/> Using a young ], ], they created the track "]". As a result, Chic became a support act. The title of the first song recorded as Chic was "]", which was on their first album.
But before that, the immediate success of their debut album and the hits "Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)" and "Everybody Dance" sent Chic out on the road. They performed as a quartet until February 1978, but Rodgers and Edwards thought that their live performances would improve both in sound and visuals if they added another girl to front the band. Norma Jean suggested her friend Luci Martin, who became a member in late winter/early spring of 1978.


Under contract with ] company, during 1977, they released the self-titled debut album '']'', which was an extension of the demonstration tape. But Edwards and Rodgers were convinced that to produce the band's recording studio sound when performing live with sound and visuals, they needed to add another female singer. Wright suggested her friend Luci Martin, who became a member during late winter/early spring of 1978.<ref name= "The Great Rock Discography"/> Soon after the sessions ended for the debut album, the band members began to work on Wright's self-titled debut solo album '']'', released during 1978. This album included the successful nightclub song "Saturday". To facilitate Wright's solo career, the band had agreed to contract her with a separate record company.
Right after the sessions ended for their debut album, Chic began to work on Norma Jean's self-titled debut solo album, released in 1978. This album contained club hit "Saturday". Unfortunately, to facilitate Norma Jean's solo career, intended to be parallel to her Chic career, the band had agreed to sign her to a separate contract and label. Unfortunately the legalities of this contract eventually forced Norma Jean to leave the band in mid-1978, but not before she took part in the sessions for Chic-produced ] album ''We Are Family''. She was replaced by Alfa Anderson, who had been on back up vocals on Chic's debut album.


The legal details of this contract eventually forced Wright to end her relationship with the band during mid-1978, but she participated in the sessions for Chic-produced ] album '']'' (1979).<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/> She was replaced as a singer by ], who had done back-up vocals on the band's debut album. For the Sister Sledge project, Edwards and Rodgers wrote and produced "He's the Greatest Dancer" (originally intended to be a Chic song), in exchange for "]" (intended originally to be performed by Sister Sledge).
===1978–1979: "Le Freak" and "Good Times"===
In late 1978 the band released ''C'est Chic'', containing one of their best known tracks, "]". The famous refrain "Aaa, freak out" was originally intended to be "Aaa, fuck off", but was changed due to obvious reasons. The single was a massive success, topping the U.S. charts and selling over six million copies. It is still the biggest selling single, ever, of Atlantic's parent company Warner.


=== 1978–1979: "Le Freak" and "Good Times" ===
For the Sister Sledge project, Chic swapped songs with "He's the Greatest Dancer" (originally intended as a Chic song) exchanging for "I Want Your Love" (originally due to be performed by Sister Sledge).
The group endeavored to express "deep hidden meaning" in every song they wrote.<ref name=Christgau/> During late 1978, the band released the album '']'', containing one of its better-known tracks, "]". It was created in a jam session in Edwards' apartment, after they had failed on ] 1977 to meet with ] at New York's nightclub ]. The original refrain "Aaa, fuck off", intended for the doormen of Studio 54, was replaced that night with "Aaa, freak out", after trying a version with "Aaa, freak off".<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr05/articles/classictracks.htm|title=CLASSIC TRACKS: Chic 'Le Freak'| publisher= Sound on Sound|date=April 2005|access-date=October 12, 2008}}</ref> The resulting single was a great success, reaching No. 1 on the US charts<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/> and selling more than six million copies. It was the best-selling single ever of ]'s parent company, ], until ]'s "]" in 1990.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/LeFreak.pdf |title=Le Freak – Chic (1978) |last=O'Dell |first= Cary |publisher= ] |access-date= May 15, 2015}}</ref> On March 21, 2018 "Le Freak" was selected for preservation in the ] by the ] as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-18-028/|title=National Recording Registry Reaches 500|website=]|access-date=September 9, 2018}}</ref>


The following year the group released the '']'' album and the lead track "]", one of the most important and influential songs of the era. The track formed the backbone of ]'s "Adventures on the Wheels of Steel" and the ]'s breakthrough hip-hop single, "]", and has been endlessly sampled since by many dance and hip hop acts and was the inspiration behind the ] hit "]". The next year, the group released the '']'' album and the lead track "]", one of the most influential songs of the era. The track was the basis of ]'s "Adventures on the Wheels of Steel" and ]'s breakthrough ] music single "]". It has been sampled since by many dance and hip hop acts, as well as being the inspiration for ]'s "]" (1980), ]'s "]" (1981), ]'s "Wot?" (1982) and, two decades later, the bass line for ]’s "]" (1997).


At the same time, Edwards and Rodgers composed, arranged, performed, and produced many influential disco and ] records for both established artists and one-hit wonders, including ], ], ], and ]. At the same time, Edwards and Rodgers composed, arranged, performed, and produced many influential disco and ] records for various artists, including ]'s albums '']'' (1979) and '']'' (1980); ]'s "Spacer"; ]'s 1980 album '']'', which included the successful singles "]", "]" and "]"; ]'s "]" (from 1982 soundtrack '']''); and ]'s debut solo album '']'' (1981).<ref name= "The Great Rock Discography"/> '']'', an album recorded with ] was rejected by his label and remained unreleased until 2017.
As a young session vocalist, ] sang on Chic's early albums.

Chic also helped introduce the world to an up-and-coming young vocalist named ], who sang on several of Chic's albums, and helped define the distinctive vocal style of Chic. That style he used on his big breakthrough, the disco band ]'s debut album "The Glow of Love" in 1980.


=== 1980s–1990s: Disbanding, other projects, a brief reunion === === 1980s–1990s: Disbanding, other projects, a brief reunion ===
After the ] at the end of the 1970s, the band struggled to obtain both airplay and sales, and during the early 1980s they disbanded. Rodgers and Edwards produced records for a variety of artists together and separately. The Chic rhythm section of Rodgers, Edwards, and Thompson provided instrumental back-up for the successful 1980 album '']'' for ] that ended up selling over ten million albums internationally, with Rodgers and Edwards producing. It yielded the four weeks at number-one single "]" and the top ten song "]".<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/> "]" was a top ten single for Ross in the United Kingdom. Rodgers co-produced ]'s 1983 album '']'' and was also responsible largely for the early success of ] during 1984 with her '']'' album, which again reunited Rodgers, Thompson, and Edwards, with keyboardist Rob Sabino and collaborators Jeff Bova, Jimmy Bralower and Oren Bar. During 1984, Rodgers was involved with a project of the band ] and helped produce ].<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/>
]
In the 1980s, the band struggled to obtain airplay and sales, and they eventually disbanded. Rodgers and Edwards separately produced records for a wide variety of artists. Rodgers was largely responsible for the breakthrough success of ] in 1984 with her '']'' album. Though it is seldom noted, "Like a Virgin" might be considered a Chic album of sorts in that it reunited Rogers, Thompson, Edwards, and collaborators ]. Thompson and Edwards worked with the super group ] on its 1985 hit LP as well as Power Station lead singer ]'s solo smash ''Riptide'' that same year (both of which Edwards produced).


Thompson and Edwards worked with the group ] on its successful 1985 album, as well as Power Station main singer ]'s solo success '']'' that same year, both of which Edwards produced. 1985 saw Rodgers producing the ] successful '']'' album, and appearing live with them and ] at ] in Philadelphia. During 1986, Rodgers produced the fourth album from ], '']''. Bernard Edwards later gave Duran Duran's bassist John Taylor the bass guitar he played on many of Chic's songs. Taylor had long been a Chic fan, his style influenced greatly by Edwards' playing.
After a 1992 birthday party where Rodgers, Edwards, ] and ] played old Chic hits to rapturous response, Rodgers and Edwards organized a reunion of the old band. They recorded new material — a single, "Chic Mystique" and subsequent album ''Chic-ism'', both of which charted — and played live all over the world, to great audience and critical acclaim.


In 1996 Rodgers was honored as the "Top Producer In the World" in '']'', and was named a ]. That year, he performed with Bernard Edwards, Sister Sledge, ], ] and ] in a series of commemorative concerts in Japan which provided a career retrospective. Unfortunately, his longtime musical partner Edwards, died of ] at age 43 during the trip on ]. His final performance was recorded. The recording was released as "Chic Live At The Budokkan" Chic continued to tour with new musicians. After a 1989 birthday party where Rodgers, Edwards, ], and ] played old Chic songs, Rodgers and Edwards organized a reunion of the old band. They recorded new material – a single, "]" (remixed by ]) and subsequent album '']'' (1992), both of which charted— and played live all over the world, to great audience and critical acclaim. During 1996, Rodgers was honored as the Top Producer in the World in '']'', and was named a JT Super Producer. That year, he performed with Bernard Edwards, Sister Sledge, ], ], and ] in a series of commemorative concerts in Japan. His longtime musical partner Edwards died of ] at age 43 during the trip on April 18, 1996. His final performance was recorded and released as '']'' (1999). Chic continued to tour with new musicians.


=== 2000–2013: Compilations, nominations, and venues ===
Thompson died of kidney cancer on ], ] at age 48.
]
Chic released four new albums during the 2000s (three compilations, and one live album): '']'' (2000), '']'' (2005), '']'' (2006), and '']'' (2006). A box set, ''Nile Rodgers Presents The Chic Organization, Vol.1: Savoir Faire'' would be released in 2010, covering Rodgers and Edwards' productions both for Chic and for other artists up to the original break-up of the partnership in 1983.


Thompson died of kidney cancer on November 12, 2003, at age 48.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|title=Obituary: Tony Thompson|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2003/nov/15/guardianobituaries.artsobituaries|work=The Guardian|date=November 15, 2003}}</ref> In October 2010, Rodgers began his fight with ]. In October 2011, he released his autobiography entitled ''Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny''.<ref name=Christgau/> On July 29, 2013, Rodgers posted on ] that he was cancer free.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=nilerodgers|author=Nile Rodgers|number=361882306555830272|date=29 July 2013|title=Instead of showing gross internal video I'll show my doctor's fly examination room. I'M ALL CLEAR AGAIN!}}</ref> In 2013, Chic with Nile Rodgers headlined the West Holts Stage on Friday night at the ] in the UK, and played a variety of tracks both from Chic and from Nile Rodgers' extensive list of songs he had worked on for other artists. ] noted "My favorite act at this year's Glastonbury, when I went, was not the Rolling Stones, as great as they were; was not the Arctic Monkeys, as good as they were; was not Disclosure, as good as they were; but it was Chic. They were fucking mega. Absolutely out of this world."<ref>{{cite web|last=Vozick |first=Simon |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/noel-gallaghers-epic-year-end-gripe-session-20131205 |title=Noel Gallagher's Epic Year-End Gripe Session Tackles Kanye West, Arcade Fire |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=2013-12-05 |access-date=2014-08-10}}</ref>
==Influences and awards==
Chic influenced the vocal and music style of the Italian-American disco band ], who had a string of hits in the early 1980s.


A compilation album, '']'' (2013), credited to The Chic Organization and featuring their productions for various artists between 1977 and 1982, was released the following Monday, 1 July, and entered the UK Compilation Albums Chart at number two a week later. Chic and Nile Rodgers played the ] in London on September 14, 2013. They opened ] live show on 2 November 2013 for Disco week. They performed a medley of hits including "]", "]" and "]". Rodgers announced in 2013 that he was working on a new Chic album, based on rediscovered tapes of unreleased material from the early 1980s. He also stated that ] is interested in working on at least one song of the unreleased material with him. Rodgers co-wrote and performed on three songs off ]'s 2013 Grammy Award-winning Album of the Year '']'' including the Grammy Record of the Year "]" with the duo and ].
In addition to refining a relatively minimalist take on the disco sound, Chic helped to inspire other artists to forge their own sound. For example, ] used "Good Times" as the basis for their hit "]", which helped launch the ] music format as we know today. "Good Times" was also used by ] on their hit "..On The Wheels Of Steel" which was used in the end sequence of the first Hip Hop movie "]" in 1982.


=== 2014–present: ''It's About Time'' and other things ===
] got the inspiration for their hit single "]" from Bernard Edwards' familiar bass guitar riff on "Good Times" after ] met the band in ] recording studio.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}.
Chic and Nile Rodgers headlined at the 2014 Essence Festival curated by ]. Special guests performing with Chic during a segment of the show that highlighted Chic's songwriting and production work for other artists, were ] for ]'s "]", ] for Sister Sledge's "]" and ] for ]'s "]". Chic and Nile Rodgers headlined ] on the ] on September 7, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/88824/chic-+-nile-rodgers-announced-as-final-bestival-2014-headliner |title=Chic + Nile Rodgers announced as final Bestival 2014 headliner |publisher=Gigwise |date=2014-02-24 |access-date=2014-08-10}}</ref> Rodgers played tribute to his guitar technician Terry Brauer at Bestival after learning of his death from ]. While chatting with Billboard's Kerri Mason, Rodgers announced a new Chic album and shared a never-before-heard new solo track. The upcoming album is set to feature collaborations from ] and ]. Rodgers described how a lick he played to test a freshly-repaired guitar caught the ear of DJ ], ending as an important part of a "huge song" on the upcoming album. Rodgers assumed "It sounds like a pop record".<ref name="Chich-2015">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/code/5894015/nile-rodgers-talks-new-chic-album-premieres-solo-track-in-google|title=Nile Rodgers Talks New Chic Album, Premieres Solo Track in Google Hangout: Watch|author=<!-- Not stated -->|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Proemtheus Global Media|date=February 5, 2014|access-date=February 5, 2015}}</ref>


In February 2015, it was announced that Nile Rodgers had signed a new record deal with Warner Bros. with a release of a new Chic album for the first time in more than two decades. The lead single from the record, titled "]", was released on March 20, 2015. Besides this, Warner Bros. signed a deal with Land of the Good Groove, the label formed by Rodgers and Michael Ostin, son of longtime Warner Bros. head ].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/nile-rodgers-preps-first-chic-album-in-two-decades-20150202|title=Nile Rodgers Preps First Chic Album in Two Decades|last=Grow|first=Kory|magazine=]|date=February 2, 2015|access-date=February 5, 2015}}</ref> Rodgers unveiled the track "I'll Be There" during the vernal equinox and ] on March 20 to signify the rebirth of the Chic Organization. Rodgers received a box of lost Chic demos back in 2010, and "I'll Be There" is one of those lost tapes finished.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.electrowow.net/2015/03/chic-premiere-music-video-for-glorious-comeback-single-ill-be-there.html|title=CHIC Premiere Music Video For Glorious Comeback Single "I'll Be There"|last=Grow|first=Kory|website=Electrowow.net|date=March 29, 2015|access-date=March 29, 2015}}</ref> Rodgers gave an update on his new solo material with a new track called "Do What You Wanna Do", and announced that a Chic-inspired musical is in the early stages of production.<ref name="Chich-2015"/> On June 25, 2017, the band performed at the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/live/2017/jun/25/glastonbury-2017-sunday-barry-gibb-chic-laura-marling|title=Glastonbury 2017: Sunday daytime with Chic, Barry Gibb and the Killers – as it happened|first1=Ben|last1=Beaumont-Thomas|first2=Alexis|last2=Petridis|first3=Kate|last3=Hutchinson|date=June 25, 2017|website=The Guardian|access-date=October 15, 2019}}</ref> On December 31, 2017, the band performed at ] at the ] in ].{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}
Chic was cited as an influence by the majority of successful bands to emerge from Great Britain in the 1980s. Even Johnny Marr of the Smiths cited the group as a formative influence. Rodgers guitar work has been so emulated as to become commonplace, and Edwards' lyrical bass is also much-cited in music circles, as is Thompson's steady and hard-hitting recorded drumwork.


On June 12, 2018, the band announced its ninth album '']'', which was initially scheduled for release on September 7.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/nile_rodgers_and_chic_finally_set_its_about_time_lp_release_date_debut_new_song|title=Nile Rodgers & Chic Finally Set 'It's About Time' LP Release Date, Debut New Song|website=Exclaim.ca|access-date=September 9, 2018}}</ref> It was later released on September 28.<ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-nile-rodgers-and-chics-new-song-till-the-world-falls/|title=Listen to Nile Rodgers & Chic's New Song "Till the World Falls"|last=Yoo|first=Noah|date=21 June 2018|website=]|publisher=Condé Nast|access-date=23 June 2018}}</ref> The lead single, "Till the World Falls" featuring ], ] and Cosha, was released on June 21, 2018.<ref name="Pitchfork"/> The album features: ], Mura Masa, Vic Mensa, Cosha, ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. In August 2018, Nile Rodgers confirmed on his Facebook account that the tenth album of Chic would follow in February 2019.{{cn|date=November 2023}} He reaffirmed this scheduling on his Instagram account when he stated that the album would drop "around Valentines Day" as a gift for fans after leg one of their joint tour with ].{{cn|date=November 2023}} The album, ''Executive Realness'', was then pushed back to May 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/music/news/nile-rodgers-interview-warner-music-universal-chic-album-1202959480/|title=Nile Rodgers on Leaving Warner Music for Universal After 40 Years, New Chic Album 'It's About Time'|first1=A. D.|last1=Amorosi|website=Variety|date=September 27, 2018|access-date=October 15, 2019}}</ref> although it did not eventuate.{{cn|date=November 2023}} In September 2018, Chic and Rodgers played as the opening act for BBC One's '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0bk1pbm/strictly-come-dancing-series-16-2-launch|title=Strictly Come Dancing – Series 16: 2. Launch|website=BBC|access-date=October 15, 2019}}</ref> During the second and fourth legs of the American singer-actress ]'s 2019 tour, Chic served as the opening act.
Chic's "DIY" attitude served as an "uptown" version of punk rock's fundamental tenets (while remaining upwardly mobile) and represented a new way for R&B acts to approach their own careers. (The group very quickly grabbed the production reins for their own records, wisely shielded themselves in business matters by forming an umbrella organization from which to administer their services, conceived and formulated their own image, and wrote their own material while holding tight to their publishing rights.)


== Influences and awards ==
On ], ] the group was honored at the ] ceremony in New York when they were inducted in three categories: 1) Artist Inductees, 2) Record Inductees for "Good Times," and 3) Producers Inductees, Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards.
In addition to refining a relatively minimalist disco sound, Chic helped to inspire other artists to create their own sound. For example, ] used "Good Times" as the basis for its success "]" (1979), which helped initiate the ] recorded music format that is known today. "Good Times" was used also by ] on its hit "]", which was used in the end sequence of the first hip-hop movie, '']'', from 1982. ]'s 1980 US number-one song "]" was not only influenced by "Good Times" but was a direct tribute to Chic,{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} and main singer ]'s 1981 debut solo album '']'' was produced by Edwards and Rodgers.


Chic was cited as an influence by many successful bands from Great Britain during the 1980s. ], the bassist from ] claims the bass part of their top 10 single "]" (1982) was influenced by Edwards' work with Chic.<ref>Classic Albums episode</ref> Even ] of ] has cited the group as a formative influence. Rodgers' guitar work has been so emulated as to become commonplace, and Edwards' lyrical bass is also much-cited in music circles, as is Thompson's recorded drum work. ] got the inspiration for its single "]" (1980) from Bernard Edwards' familiar bass guitar riff on "]" after ] met the band at the ] recording studio.<ref name="Jonisledgeonline.com">{{cite web|url=http://jonisledgeonline.com/healter-skelter-publising-everybody-dance-chic-politics-disco/ |title=Healter Skelter Publishing: Everybody Dance – Chic and the Politics of Disco |publisher=Jonisledgeonline.com |date=2013-07-18 |access-date=2014-04-17}}</ref>
Chic has been nominated for the ] three times (in 2003, 2006, and 2007) but has not yet received the requisite number of votes for induction.


The French duo ] used the guitar sample from Chic's "Soup for One", as the basic theme for their single, "]". Chic influenced the vocal and music style of the Italian-American disco band ], which had a series of successes during the early 1980s. The two acts also had a couple of things in common: Chic alumnus ] was also Change's vocalist upon the latter's formation, and Change, like Chic, were signed to Atlantic through its distributed RFC label.
==Discography==
'''For a detailed discography, see ]'''
===Chic albums===
<gallery>
Image:Chiclp.gif|'']'' LP (Atlantic 1977)


On September 19, 2005, the group was honored at the ] ceremony in New York when they were inducted in three categories: 1) Artist Inductees, 2) Record Inductees for "Good Times," and 3) Producers Inductees, Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards.
Image:Cest.gif|'']'' LP (Atlantic 1978)<br />


Chic has been nominated for inclusion in the ] 11 times: 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. In 2017, the ] inducted ] for Musical Excellence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/pearl-jam-joan-baez-lead-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-2017-class-w456839|title=Pearl Jam, Joan Baez, Tupac Lead Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2017 Class|first=Andy|last=Greene|date=December 20, 2016|publisher=]|access-date=September 9, 2018}}</ref> The group was not nominated for induction in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|title=Class of 2018 Nominees|url=https://www.rockhall.com/class-2018-nominees|website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|language=en}}</ref> Rodgers and Chic continue to perform to major audiences worldwide as Nile Rodgers & Chic.
Image:Risque.gif|'']'' LP (Atlantic 1979)<br />
Image:Real.gif|'']'' LP (Atlantic 1980)<br />
Image:Takeit.gif|'']'' LP (Atlantic 1981)<br />
Image:Tongue82.gif|'']'' LP (Atlantic 1982)<br />
Image:Believer.gif|'']'' LP (Atlantic 1983)<br />
Image:Chicism.gif|'']'' CD (Warner 1992)<br />
Image:CHIClive99.gif|'']'' CD (Sumthing Distribution 1999)<br />
</gallery>


In 2019, Chic received a nomination for the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-46837246|title=Brit Awards 2019: Full list of winners|date=February 20, 2019|website=BBC|access-date=October 15, 2019}}</ref>
NOTE:
* In late 1979, a Chic compilation album also charted in both the US and UK. In the US, the compilation reached #88 as '''''Les Plus Grands Succes de Chic: Chic's Greatest Hits'''''. In the UK, where it was titled simply '''''The Best Of Chic''''', it peaked at #30.


==See also== == Members ==
{{col-begin}}
*]
{{col-2}}
*]
*]
*]


; Original line-up
==References==
* ] – guitar, vocals
*"Everybody Dance: Chic and the Politics of Disco", book by Daryl Easlea, Helter Skelter Publishing (24 Oct 2004), ISBN 1-900924-56-0
* ] – bass, vocals
<references />
* ] – drums
* ] – lead vocals
* ] – lead vocals
{{col-2}}


; Current line-up
==External links==
* Nile Rodgers – guitar, vocals
{{commons|Chic (band)}}
* Jerry Barnes – bass, vocals
*
* Ralph Rolle – drums, vocals
*
* Kimberly Davis – lead vocals
* Audrey Martells – lead vocals
* Richard Hilton – keyboards
* Russell Graham – keyboards, vocals
* Brandon Wright – horns
* Steve Jankowski – horns
* Ken Gioffre – horns
{{col-end}}


; Former members
]
{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}
]
* ] – vocals
]
* Karen Milne – strings
]
* Marianne Carroll – strings
* Valerie Heywood – strings
* Cheryl Hong – strings
* Karen Karlsrud – strings
* Gene Orloff – strings
* ] – saxophone, flute
* ] – trumpet, flugelhorn
* ] – vocals
* Michele Cobbs – vocals
* ] – vocals
* ] – vocals
* ] – vocals
* ] – vocals
* ] – vocals
* Jessie Wagner – vocals
* Jenn Thomas – vocals
* David Lasley – vocals
* Cherie Mitchell – vocals, keyboards
* Raymond Jones – keyboards
* ] – keyboards
* Andy Schwartz (Barrett) – keyboards
* Nathaniel S. Hardy, Jr. – keyboards
* Selan Lerner – keyboards
* ] – percussion
* ] – percussion
* Don Harris – horns
* ] – drums
* ] – trumpet
* Phillipe Saisse – keyboards
* Christopher Max – vocals
* Folami – lead vocals
* ] – horns
* Curt Ramm – horns
{{Div col end}}


== Discography ==
]
{{main|Chic discography}}
]

]
=== Studio albums ===
]
* '']'' (1977)
]
] * '']'' (1978)
* '']'' (1979)
]
* '']'' (1980)
]
* '']'' (1981)
]
* '']'' (1982)
* '']'' (1983)
* '']'' (1992)
* '']'' (2018)

== Hall of Fame ==
Chic has been nominated eleven times for the ], but has yet to receive enough votes to become an inductee.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/20/arts/music/chic-nile-rodgers-rock-hall-of-fame.html?_r=1|title=Nile Rodgers on Chic's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Woes: 'It's Just Perplexing'|work=The New York Times|date=December 20, 2016|last1=Sisario|first1=Ben}}</ref> They officially became the most nominated act in the Hall's history to not earn induction.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://futurerocklegends.com/The_Snub_List.php|title=List of the Biggest Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Snubs &#124; Future Rock Legends|website=Futurerocklegends.com|access-date=October 15, 2019}}</ref>

== See also ==
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* ''Everybody Dance: Chic and the Politics of Disco'', Daryl Easlea, Helter Skelter Publishing (October 24, 2004), {{ISBN|1-900924-56-0}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Chic (band)}}

* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p3884}}
* {{discogs artist|Chic}}
* {{imdb name|1379581}}
* biography at ]
* at '']''
* , ]' official website

{{Chic}}
{{Authority control}}

]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 15:55, 29 December 2024

American disco band For the band's eponymous album, see Chic (album).

Chic
Chic performing at GuilFest 2012 (l-r): Davis, Rodgers, Folami, BarnesChic performing at GuilFest 2012
(l-r): Davis, Rodgers, Folami, Barnes
Background information
Also known asThe Boys (1972)
The Big Apple Band (1972–1977)
OriginNew York City, New York, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1972–1983
  • 1990–1992
  • 1996–present
Labels
Members
  • Nile Rodgers
  • Jerry Barnes
  • Kimberly Davis
  • Audrey Martells
  • Ralph Rolle
  • Russell Graham
  • Richard Hilton
  • Steve Jankowski
  • Ken Gioffre
Past members

Chic (stylized CHIC; /ʃiːk/ SHEEK), currently called Nile Rodgers & Chic, is an American disco band founded in 1972 mainly by guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards. It recorded many commercially successful disco songs, including "Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)" (1977), "Everybody Dance" (1977), "Le Freak" (1978), "I Want Your Love" (1978), "Good Times" (1979), and "My Forbidden Lover" (1979). The group regarded themselves as a rock band for the disco movement "that made good on hippie peace, love and freedom". In 2017, Chic was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the eleventh time.

History

1970–1978: Origins and early singers

Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards met in 1970 as session musicians working in the New York City area. They formed a rock band initially named The Boys, but soon changed it to The Big Apple Band, and played numerous gigs around New York City. Despite interest in their demos, they never garnered a record contract. Both joined the band New York City, which had a hit record in 1973 with "I'm Doing Fine Now". The original demo tapes were made by DJ/studio engineer Robert Drake, who first played lacquer records while DJing at a New York after hours club called Night Owl. New York City broke up in 1976. After Walter Murphy released the single and album "A Fifth of Beethoven" under the name Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band, Edwards and Rodgers changed their band name to Chic.

Inspired after attending a concert by English glam rock band Roxy Music, Rodgers began developing the idea for the group whose music and image would form a seamless and immersive whole, taking additional influence from the anonymous, make-up wearing American rock band Kiss. During 1977, Edwards and Rodgers recruited drummer Tony Thompson, formerly with Labelle and Ecstasy, Passion & Pain, to join the band; they performed as a trio doing cover versions at various gigs. Thompson recommended keyboardist Raymond Jones, 19, to join the band, as he had worked with him in Ecstasy, Passion & Pain. Needing a singer to become a full band, they engaged Norma Jean Wright by an agreement permitting her to have a solo career in addition to her work for the band. Using a young recording engineer, Bob Clearmountain, they created the track "Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)". As a result, Chic became a support act. The title of the first song recorded as Chic was "Everybody Dance", which was on their first album.

Under contract with Atlantic Records company, during 1977, they released the self-titled debut album Chic, which was an extension of the demonstration tape. But Edwards and Rodgers were convinced that to produce the band's recording studio sound when performing live with sound and visuals, they needed to add another female singer. Wright suggested her friend Luci Martin, who became a member during late winter/early spring of 1978. Soon after the sessions ended for the debut album, the band members began to work on Wright's self-titled debut solo album Norma Jean, released during 1978. This album included the successful nightclub song "Saturday". To facilitate Wright's solo career, the band had agreed to contract her with a separate record company.

The legal details of this contract eventually forced Wright to end her relationship with the band during mid-1978, but she participated in the sessions for Chic-produced Sister Sledge album We Are Family (1979). She was replaced as a singer by Alfa Anderson, who had done back-up vocals on the band's debut album. For the Sister Sledge project, Edwards and Rodgers wrote and produced "He's the Greatest Dancer" (originally intended to be a Chic song), in exchange for "I Want Your Love" (intended originally to be performed by Sister Sledge).

1978–1979: "Le Freak" and "Good Times"

The group endeavored to express "deep hidden meaning" in every song they wrote. During late 1978, the band released the album C'est Chic, containing one of its better-known tracks, "Le Freak". It was created in a jam session in Edwards' apartment, after they had failed on New Year's Eve 1977 to meet with Grace Jones at New York's nightclub Studio 54. The original refrain "Aaa, fuck off", intended for the doormen of Studio 54, was replaced that night with "Aaa, freak out", after trying a version with "Aaa, freak off". The resulting single was a great success, reaching No. 1 on the US charts and selling more than six million copies. It was the best-selling single ever of Atlantic's parent company, Warner Music, until Madonna's "Vogue" in 1990. On March 21, 2018 "Le Freak" was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

The next year, the group released the Risqué album and the lead track "Good Times", one of the most influential songs of the era. The track was the basis of Grandmaster Flash's "Adventures on the Wheels of Steel" and The Sugarhill Gang's breakthrough hip hop music single "Rapper's Delight". It has been sampled since by many dance and hip hop acts, as well as being the inspiration for Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" (1980), Blondie's "Rapture" (1981), Captain Sensible's "Wot?" (1982) and, two decades later, the bass line for Daft Punk’s "Around the World" (1997).

At the same time, Edwards and Rodgers composed, arranged, performed, and produced many influential disco and R&B records for various artists, including Sister Sledge's albums We Are Family (1979) and Love Somebody Today (1980); Sheila and B. Devotion's "Spacer"; Diana Ross's 1980 album Diana, which included the successful singles "Upside Down", "I'm Coming Out" and "My Old Piano"; Carly Simon's "Why" (from 1982 soundtrack Soup for One); and Debbie Harry's debut solo album KooKoo (1981). I Love My Lady, an album recorded with Johnny Mathis was rejected by his label and remained unreleased until 2017. As a young session vocalist, Luther Vandross sang on Chic's early albums.

1980s–1990s: Disbanding, other projects, a brief reunion

After the anti-disco reaction at the end of the 1970s, the band struggled to obtain both airplay and sales, and during the early 1980s they disbanded. Rodgers and Edwards produced records for a variety of artists together and separately. The Chic rhythm section of Rodgers, Edwards, and Thompson provided instrumental back-up for the successful 1980 album Diana for Diana Ross that ended up selling over ten million albums internationally, with Rodgers and Edwards producing. It yielded the four weeks at number-one single "Upside Down" and the top ten song "I'm Coming Out". "My Old Piano" was a top ten single for Ross in the United Kingdom. Rodgers co-produced David Bowie's 1983 album Let's Dance and was also responsible largely for the early success of Madonna during 1984 with her Like a Virgin album, which again reunited Rodgers, Thompson, and Edwards, with keyboardist Rob Sabino and collaborators Jeff Bova, Jimmy Bralower and Oren Bar. During 1984, Rodgers was involved with a project of the band The Honeydrippers and helped produce that band's only EP.

Thompson and Edwards worked with the group Power Station on its successful 1985 album, as well as Power Station main singer Robert Palmer's solo success Riptide that same year, both of which Edwards produced. 1985 saw Rodgers producing the Thompson Twins successful Here's to Future Days album, and appearing live with them and Madonna at Live Aid in Philadelphia. During 1986, Rodgers produced the fourth album from Duran Duran, Notorious. Bernard Edwards later gave Duran Duran's bassist John Taylor the bass guitar he played on many of Chic's songs. Taylor had long been a Chic fan, his style influenced greatly by Edwards' playing.

After a 1989 birthday party where Rodgers, Edwards, Paul Shaffer, and Anton Fig played old Chic songs, Rodgers and Edwards organized a reunion of the old band. They recorded new material – a single, "Chic Mystique" (remixed by Masters at Work) and subsequent album Chic-ism (1992), both of which charted— and played live all over the world, to great audience and critical acclaim. During 1996, Rodgers was honored as the Top Producer in the World in Billboard Magazine, and was named a JT Super Producer. That year, he performed with Bernard Edwards, Sister Sledge, Steve Winwood, Simon Le Bon, and Slash in a series of commemorative concerts in Japan. His longtime musical partner Edwards died of pneumonia at age 43 during the trip on April 18, 1996. His final performance was recorded and released as Live at the Budokan (1999). Chic continued to tour with new musicians.

2000–2013: Compilations, nominations, and venues

Rodgers and Barnes onstage in 2013.

Chic released four new albums during the 2000s (three compilations, and one live album): The Very Best of Chic (2000), Good Times: The Very Best of the Hits & the Remixes (2005), A Night in Amsterdam (2006), and The Definitive Groove Collection (2006). A box set, Nile Rodgers Presents The Chic Organization, Vol.1: Savoir Faire would be released in 2010, covering Rodgers and Edwards' productions both for Chic and for other artists up to the original break-up of the partnership in 1983.

Thompson died of kidney cancer on November 12, 2003, at age 48. In October 2010, Rodgers began his fight with prostate cancer. In October 2011, he released his autobiography entitled Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny. On July 29, 2013, Rodgers posted on Twitter that he was cancer free. In 2013, Chic with Nile Rodgers headlined the West Holts Stage on Friday night at the Glastonbury Festival in the UK, and played a variety of tracks both from Chic and from Nile Rodgers' extensive list of songs he had worked on for other artists. Noel Gallagher noted "My favorite act at this year's Glastonbury, when I went, was not the Rolling Stones, as great as they were; was not the Arctic Monkeys, as good as they were; was not Disclosure, as good as they were; but it was Chic. They were fucking mega. Absolutely out of this world."

A compilation album, Up All Night (2013), credited to The Chic Organization and featuring their productions for various artists between 1977 and 1982, was released the following Monday, 1 July, and entered the UK Compilation Albums Chart at number two a week later. Chic and Nile Rodgers played the iTunes Festival in London on September 14, 2013. They opened British The X Factor live show on 2 November 2013 for Disco week. They performed a medley of hits including "Le Freak", "He's the Greatest Dancer" and "Good Times". Rodgers announced in 2013 that he was working on a new Chic album, based on rediscovered tapes of unreleased material from the early 1980s. He also stated that Daft Punk is interested in working on at least one song of the unreleased material with him. Rodgers co-wrote and performed on three songs off Daft Punk's 2013 Grammy Award-winning Album of the Year Random Access Memories including the Grammy Record of the Year "Get Lucky" with the duo and Pharrell Williams.

2014–present: It's About Time and other things

Chic and Nile Rodgers headlined at the 2014 Essence Festival curated by Prince. Special guests performing with Chic during a segment of the show that highlighted Chic's songwriting and production work for other artists, were Kathy Sledge for Sister Sledge's "We Are Family", Janelle Monáe for Sister Sledge's "He's the Greatest Dancer" and Prince for David Bowie's "Let's Dance". Chic and Nile Rodgers headlined Bestival on the Isle of Wight on September 7, 2014. Rodgers played tribute to his guitar technician Terry Brauer at Bestival after learning of his death from cancer. While chatting with Billboard's Kerri Mason, Rodgers announced a new Chic album and shared a never-before-heard new solo track. The upcoming album is set to feature collaborations from David Guetta and Avicii. Rodgers described how a lick he played to test a freshly-repaired guitar caught the ear of DJ Nicky Romero, ending as an important part of a "huge song" on the upcoming album. Rodgers assumed "It sounds like a pop record".

In February 2015, it was announced that Nile Rodgers had signed a new record deal with Warner Bros. with a release of a new Chic album for the first time in more than two decades. The lead single from the record, titled "I'll Be There", was released on March 20, 2015. Besides this, Warner Bros. signed a deal with Land of the Good Groove, the label formed by Rodgers and Michael Ostin, son of longtime Warner Bros. head Mo Ostin. Rodgers unveiled the track "I'll Be There" during the vernal equinox and total solar eclipse on March 20 to signify the rebirth of the Chic Organization. Rodgers received a box of lost Chic demos back in 2010, and "I'll Be There" is one of those lost tapes finished. Rodgers gave an update on his new solo material with a new track called "Do What You Wanna Do", and announced that a Chic-inspired musical is in the early stages of production. On June 25, 2017, the band performed at the Glastonbury Festival. On December 31, 2017, the band performed at New Year Live at the Methodist Central Hall in London.

On June 12, 2018, the band announced its ninth album It's About Time, which was initially scheduled for release on September 7. It was later released on September 28. The lead single, "Till the World Falls" featuring Mura Masa, Vic Mensa and Cosha, was released on June 21, 2018. The album features: Lady Gaga, Mura Masa, Vic Mensa, Cosha, Stefflon Don, Craig David, Teddy Riley, Nao, Hailee Steinfeld, Philippe Saisse, Danny L Harle, Lunchmoney Lewis, Thomas Troelsen, Emeli Sande and Elton John. In August 2018, Nile Rodgers confirmed on his Facebook account that the tenth album of Chic would follow in February 2019. He reaffirmed this scheduling on his Instagram account when he stated that the album would drop "around Valentines Day" as a gift for fans after leg one of their joint tour with Cher. The album, Executive Realness, was then pushed back to May 2019, although it did not eventuate. In September 2018, Chic and Rodgers played as the opening act for BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing. During the second and fourth legs of the American singer-actress Cher's 2019 tour, Chic served as the opening act.

Influences and awards

In addition to refining a relatively minimalist disco sound, Chic helped to inspire other artists to create their own sound. For example, The Sugarhill Gang used "Good Times" as the basis for its success "Rapper's Delight" (1979), which helped initiate the hip hop recorded music format that is known today. "Good Times" was used also by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five on its hit "The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel", which was used in the end sequence of the first hip-hop movie, Wild Style, from 1982. Blondie's 1980 US number-one song "Rapture" was not only influenced by "Good Times" but was a direct tribute to Chic, and main singer Deborah Harry's 1981 debut solo album KooKoo was produced by Edwards and Rodgers.

Chic was cited as an influence by many successful bands from Great Britain during the 1980s. John Taylor, the bassist from Duran Duran claims the bass part of their top 10 single "Rio" (1982) was influenced by Edwards' work with Chic. Even Johnny Marr of The Smiths has cited the group as a formative influence. Rodgers' guitar work has been so emulated as to become commonplace, and Edwards' lyrical bass is also much-cited in music circles, as is Thompson's recorded drum work. Queen got the inspiration for its single "Another One Bites the Dust" (1980) from Bernard Edwards' familiar bass guitar riff on "Good Times" after John Deacon met the band at the Power Station recording studio.

The French duo Modjo used the guitar sample from Chic's "Soup for One", as the basic theme for their single, "Lady (Hear Me Tonight)". Chic influenced the vocal and music style of the Italian-American disco band Change, which had a series of successes during the early 1980s. The two acts also had a couple of things in common: Chic alumnus Luther Vandross was also Change's vocalist upon the latter's formation, and Change, like Chic, were signed to Atlantic through its distributed RFC label.

On September 19, 2005, the group was honored at the Dance Music Hall of Fame ceremony in New York when they were inducted in three categories: 1) Artist Inductees, 2) Record Inductees for "Good Times," and 3) Producers Inductees, Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards.

Chic has been nominated for inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 11 times: 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. In 2017, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Nile Rodgers for Musical Excellence. The group was not nominated for induction in 2018. Rodgers and Chic continue to perform to major audiences worldwide as Nile Rodgers & Chic.

In 2019, Chic received a nomination for the Brit Award for International Group.

Members

Original line-up
Current line-up
  • Nile Rodgers – guitar, vocals
  • Jerry Barnes – bass, vocals
  • Ralph Rolle – drums, vocals
  • Kimberly Davis – lead vocals
  • Audrey Martells – lead vocals
  • Richard Hilton – keyboards
  • Russell Graham – keyboards, vocals
  • Brandon Wright – horns
  • Steve Jankowski – horns
  • Ken Gioffre – horns

Former members

Discography

Main article: Chic discography

Studio albums

Hall of Fame

Chic has been nominated eleven times for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but has yet to receive enough votes to become an inductee. They officially became the most nominated act in the Hall's history to not earn induction.

See also

References

  1. ^ Steve Huey (November 25, 2024). "Chic". AllMusic.
  2. ^ Christgau, Robert (December 2, 2011). "The Rock Days of Disco". The New York Times.
  3. "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2017 Nominees Include Tupac Shakur, Journey, Chic". Variety. October 18, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  4. ^ Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. p. 177. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
  5. Nile Rodgers Talks about Roxy Music and KISS. October 21, 2011. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021 – via YouTube.
  6. "CLASSIC TRACKS: Chic 'Le Freak'". Sound on Sound. April 2005. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
  7. O'Dell, Cary. "Le Freak – Chic (1978)" (PDF). Library of Congress. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  8. "National Recording Registry Reaches 500". Library of Congress. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  9. "Obituary: Tony Thompson". The Guardian. November 15, 2003.
  10. Nile Rodgers (July 29, 2013). "Instead of showing gross internal video I'll show my doctor's fly examination room. I'M ALL CLEAR AGAIN!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. Vozick, Simon (December 5, 2013). "Noel Gallagher's Epic Year-End Gripe Session Tackles Kanye West, Arcade Fire". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  12. "Chic + Nile Rodgers announced as final Bestival 2014 headliner". Gigwise. February 24, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  13. ^ "Nile Rodgers Talks New Chic Album, Premieres Solo Track in Google Hangout: Watch". Billboard. Proemtheus Global Media. February 5, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  14. Grow, Kory (February 2, 2015). "Nile Rodgers Preps First Chic Album in Two Decades". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  15. Grow, Kory (March 29, 2015). "CHIC Premiere Music Video For Glorious Comeback Single "I'll Be There"". Electrowow.net. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  16. Beaumont-Thomas, Ben; Petridis, Alexis; Hutchinson, Kate (June 25, 2017). "Glastonbury 2017: Sunday daytime with Chic, Barry Gibb and the Killers – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  17. "Nile Rodgers & Chic Finally Set 'It's About Time' LP Release Date, Debut New Song". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  18. ^ Yoo, Noah (June 21, 2018). "Listen to Nile Rodgers & Chic's New Song "Till the World Falls"". Pitchfork. Condé Nast. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  19. Amorosi, A. D. (September 27, 2018). "Nile Rodgers on Leaving Warner Music for Universal After 40 Years, New Chic Album 'It's About Time'". Variety. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  20. "Strictly Come Dancing – Series 16: 2. Launch". BBC. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  21. Classic Albums episode
  22. "Healter Skelter Publishing: Everybody Dance – Chic and the Politics of Disco". Jonisledgeonline.com. July 18, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  23. Greene, Andy (December 20, 2016). "Pearl Jam, Joan Baez, Tupac Lead Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2017 Class". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  24. "Class of 2018 Nominees". Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
  25. "Brit Awards 2019: Full list of winners". BBC. February 20, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  26. Sisario, Ben (December 20, 2016). "Nile Rodgers on Chic's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Woes: 'It's Just Perplexing'". The New York Times.
  27. "List of the Biggest Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Snubs | Future Rock Legends". Futurerocklegends.com. Retrieved October 15, 2019.

Bibliography

  • Everybody Dance: Chic and the Politics of Disco, Daryl Easlea, Helter Skelter Publishing (October 24, 2004), ISBN 1-900924-56-0

External links

Chic
Studio albums
Live albums
Compilations
Singles
Related articles
Categories: