Nile Rodgers is about as close to legendary as you can get, sprinkling magical funk dust over dozens of hits through the last four decades. Ahead of a headline show in Cardiff Castle, he chats to Buzz.
At the time in the 70s, disco was sniffed at by a lot of critics and some of the record-buying public, but now it’s almost universally lauded. What do you think has changed?
When you put the focus on the songs, which is ultimately what it’s all about, the disco era – which I am very proud of – produced some of the greatest songs of all time, not to mention the insane musicianship and production. Forty-one years later Le Freak is the biggest selling single in the history of Atlantic Records and Good Times is not far behind. That tells you exactly how people feel about disco.
Your music has nearly always focused on rhythm first – is that for you the primary building block of a song?
If you open up any music book, it will tell you that the most important element of any composition is rhythm. It’s a universal rule. If it’s a Nile Rodgers song, you will undoubtedly be able to move, but whether it starts with the rhythm or the melody, the key is that the song has to have what we call the DHM. The Deep Hidden Meaning. In order for the song to be everything it can be, I need to understand what that is.
Collaboration has always been a huge part of your work with Chic and as a producer. Is good music possible without it?
Of course it is, because from Beethoven to Stravinsky there are a gazillion great examples but my work with Chic, Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Madonna, Duran Duran, INXS, Daft Punk, Disclosure, Avicii et al creates a great case for collaboration being the way to go!
You’ve always been known for playing your Fender Stratocaster – ‘The Hitmaker’. What drew you to a Strat in the first place?
I actually started on a semi hollow-body because I was schooled on jazz. My partner, Bernard Edwards, always hoped I would graduate to a Strat or Les Paul so that I could have a more controllable live sound. I resisted until one day during the course of a tour we were doing with the Jackson 5 we had a headline show and the guitarist in the band that was opening for us had a Strat. His sound was instantly 10 times better than mine and he was completely in control. Bernard looked at me with a ‘see-I-told-you-so’ look and that day I went to a pawn shop in Miami and traded in my hollow-body for [what became] ‘The Hitmaker’ and $300 cash in my pocket!
How do now feel following your health scare, how has it changed you and your views and how you live your life?
I write more songs, I do more collaborations and I play more live shows.
Is it true Bernard gave his favourite bass guitar to John Taylor from Duran Duran and have you ever given one of your guitars away to a fellow musician or a fan?
I’ve given many many many guitars that were well-loved by me to other musicians. I know Bernard gave a bass that meant a lot to him at the time to John. That’s absolutely true.
Quick-fire round!
After working in a pickled cucumber factory can you bear to eat them?
Gus The Pickle King! Yes, I love them!
Are you still an avid reader and what are you currently reading?
I love to read and I’m reading Neil Degrasse Tyson’s book Astrophysics For People In A Hurry. Black Matter!
Which song can you listen to over and over again and not be bored by it?
Soup For One – the full length version!
Which artist/band have you yet to work with but want to?
I’m loving working with Dua Lipa right now.
Name a current jazz artist you would recommend listening to?
Kokoroko. They’ll be in Meltdown with me in London this summer!
What’s next for you?
More new music, more collaborations, more live shows!
You’re nearing your 70th birthday, (a few years away!) – how are you planning to celebrate?
That’s still the better part of four years away but I’m working on my musical with Andrew Lloyd Webber and the 45th and 50th anniversaries of Chic are coming so I’m looking way beyond 70!
Nile Rodgers & Chic, Cardiff Castle, Fri 12 July. Tickets: £65.50/£80 VIP. Info: 029 2034 1199 / www.depotcardiff.com