Nile Rodgers performs in 2016

Nile Rodgers

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Nile Rodgers & Chic To Perform At 2018 GRAMMY Celebration

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The Recording Academy's official after-party following the 60th GRAMMY Awards to also feature a performance by saxophonist Jimmy Greene and members of the GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Jan 16, 2018 - 7:30 am

Feel the rhythm, check the rhyme, come on along to the 2018 GRAMMY Celebration and have a real good time.

Three-time GRAMMY winner Nile Rodgers & Chic will preside over a real good time as performers at the 2018 GRAMMY Celebration, the Recording Academy's official after-party taking place Sunday, Jan. 28 at the Marriott Marquis immediately following the 60th GRAMMY Awards.

Rodgers & Chic's set promises a mix of favorites and hits such as "Le Freak," "Good Times," "Everybody Dance," and "I Want Your Love."  

A private, ticketed event, the Celebration will also feature a performance by GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist Jimmy Greene and members of the GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session, plus a DJ set by Brendan Fallis.

Attracting GRAMMY winners, nominees, industry executives, and celebrities, guests will be treated to a "Diamond Ju60th-anniversary classic nod to the GRAMMY Awards' 60th anniversary milestone and return to New York City. The menu will feature an assortment of cuisines, allowing guests the opportunity to indulge in four different food stations inspired by the city of New York, and a "Diamond Jubilee"-themed dessert collection.

"We're looking forward to saluting this year's GRAMMY winners and nominees at the 2018 GRAMMY Celebration," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. "The show's return to New York City paired with the excitement for the 60th anniversary will make for an unforgettable celebration — and we're pleased to offer guests an opportunity to enjoy an evening of great company, extraordinary food, and dynamic performances that this year's event will deliver."

Nile Rodgers

Nile Rodgers

Photo: Karwai Tang/WireImage

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Nile Rodgers Elected Chair Of Songwriters Hall Of Fame

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Elected for his "eloquence" to a three-year term, another honor arrives for the master of many musical disciplines
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jul 2, 2018 - 3:56 pm

Nile Rodgers is not lacking in attainments. The three-time GRAMMY winner was inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in 2016 and the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2017, and earlier this year the Library of Congress announced Rodgers' 1978 Chic classic "Le Freak" has been inducted into the National Recording Registry for preservation. On July 2 the Songwriters Hall Of Fame announced its new board and the unanimous election of Nile Rodgers to a three-year term as the organization's Chairman of the Board.

"Nile is respected and admired by his fans and his peers alike for his multi/cross-genre music and for being a musical pioneer," said SHOF President/CEO Linda Moran. "More importantly, Nile's eloquence in talking about songwriting and its process makes him the ideal voice for the songwriting community as Chairman of the SHOF."

Indeed, Rodger's eloquence is multi-faceted and very in-demand. In April, he also became the first-ever Chief Creative Advisor for  Abbey Road Studios.

"I am truly honored and beyond humbled to be elected by such an esteemed group as this illustrious board," Rodgers said. "I will try and serve with all my heart. I hope I can make you half as proud of me as I am to even sit in the room with you who've done so much for the furtherance of composition. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve the songwriting community."

His seat at the head of the table is alongside GRAMMY nominee Desmond Child ("Livin' La Vida Loca"), GRAMMY winner Don Schlitz (The Gambler") and the legendary Paul Williams, who shared in Rodgers' Album Of The Year win at the 56th GRAMMY Awards for Daft Punk's Random Access Memories and is also President/Chairman of ASCAP. Those are just the well-known names from this behind-the-scenes profession and Rodgers' other fellow board members, some of whom contribute greatly to the Recording Academy by their participation, are equally inspiring of humility.

Interviewed at the 57th GRAMMY Awards, Rodgers told us his health issues clarified for him that music is "the most precious thing in my life." Many people feel that way and only very few have accomplished so much to nurture the sensation in others. His next album with Chic arrives Sept. 14. Onward!

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Nile Rodgers

Nile Rodgers

Photo: Sean Mathis/Getty Images

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Nile Rodgers Talks Abbey Road, Superstar Collabs At Coachella

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With a new Chic album in the works at London's Abbey Road Studios and a new job title there, Rodgers raises our appetites for what's cooking
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Apr 23, 2018 - 12:29 pm

Named first-ever Chief Creative Advisor at London's Abbey Road Studios last month, Nile Rodgers found himself answering questions on April 21 at Coachella about who's been in the studio with him working on the upcoming Chic album, It's About Time. Rodgers learned late last year that his health is back in tune, and fans are looking forward to new innovations from the old-school funk master's knack for trend-setting originality.

In addition to the signature sounds he crafted for Chic and Sister Sledge, Rodgers also produced David Bowie's GRAMMY-nominated Let's Dance in 1983 and Madonna's Like A Virgin the following year. He shared three GRAMMY wins at the 56th GRAMMY Awards with Daft Punk, songwriter Paul Williams, and Pharrell Williams, including Record Of The Year for "Get Lucky" and Album Of The Year for Random Access Memories.

Rodgers had been working with Anderson .Paak on new Chic material at Abbey Road, while .Paak was opening for Bruno Mars. A track record like Rodgers' is what prompted Mars to say, "Damn, I gotta stop by and hang with y'all," joining them in the studio and creating an innovation of his own. Emerging artists Nao and Stefflon Don have also been working in London with Rodgers, as well as Craig David, Blondie's Debbie Harry, and Mura Masa.

Haim has been expected at Abbey Road Studios in London, to see what they create with Rodgers. Meantime at Coachella, opening for Beyoncé, the sisters created some beef by boasting "We will kick any band's ass!" Rodgers responded, "I will happily take the challenge," and warns the two groups might be staging some Battle-of-the-Bands get-togethers to duke it out.

Other artists expected to appear on the upcoming Chic project include Disclosure, Ray BLK and Jorja Smith. So we expect good times ahead from the man who brought us "Good Times" to begin with, featuring many of today's hottest artists.

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Chic circa 1981

Chic circa 1981

Photo: Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images

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Library Of Congress Adds Recordings By Chic, Tony Bennett, Fleetwood Mac

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From '80s pop and rap to classical, disco, Motown, and American songbook classics, the rhythms behind the National Recording Registry's additions for 2017 are gonna get you
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Mar 21, 2018 - 9:10 am

Tony Bennett's "I Left My Heart In San Francisco," Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler" and Fleetwood Mac's Rumours. What do these recording have in common? Not only have each of them won GRAMMY Awards, they now share the honor of having been added to the Library of Congress' venerable National Recording Registry.

Today, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced the addition of these and 22 other recordings to the registry catalog for the 2017 calendar year.

Additional GRAMMY winners with recordings newly added include Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine's 1987 upbeat jam, "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You"; Yo-Yo Ma's exquisite 1996 classical LP, Yo-Yo Ma Premieres: Concertos For Violoncello And Orchestra, Kenny Loggins' huge 1984 film soundtrack smash, "Footloose"; and Chic and Nile Rodgers' timeless 1978 disco workout, "Le Freak."

Run-DMC's groundbreaking 1986 album, Raising Hell, was added. The LP spawned the rock-rap crossover hit "Walk This Way," which was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame in 2014.

Speaking of the Hall, other newly added National Recording Registry recordings that have been previously inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame include the soundtrack to The Sound Of Music (inducted 1998), Mississippi Sheiks' "Sittin' On Top Of The World" (2008), Bill Haley And The Comets' "Rock Around The Clock" (1982), the Ink Spots' "If I Didn't Care" (1987), Harry Belafonte's Calypso (2015), and the Temptations' "My Girl" (1998).

Similar to the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame's mission, the National Recording Registry is designed to champion and preserve recordings of historical significance.

Nominations are gathered via online submissions from the public and from the NRPB, which is comprised of leaders in the fields of music, recorded sound and preservation. See the National Recording Registry's full list — if you have a recording you deem worthy of adding to the registry, make your submission.

"This annual celebration of recorded sound reminds us of our varied and remarkable American experience," said Hayden. "The unique trinity of historic, cultural and aesthetic significance reflected in the National Recording Registry each year is an opportunity for reflection on landmark moments, diverse cultures and shared memories — all reflected in our recorded soundscape."

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Nile Rodgers, 2018

Nile Rodgers

Photo: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images

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Inside The Bulova "Tune Of Time" Brunch With Nile Rodgers

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Featuring a special Q&A and performance by GRAMMY winner Nile Rodgers, the Bulova “Tune of Time” brunch event helped kick the 60th GRAMMY countdown fever into high gear
Lakeia Brown
GRAMMYs
Jan 27, 2018 - 2:49 pm

Time is a gift and no one knows that better than Bulova. That's why the Recording Academy partnered with the New York-based maker of classic timepieces this afternoon for the "Tune of Time" brunch, which featured a live performance by three-time GRAMMY winner, Nile Rodgers. 

Nile Rodgers, 2018
2018 Bulova "Tune Of Time" Brunch

The exclusive event was held at the posh Cipriani in lower Manhattan, N.Y. Tastemakers, musicians, producers, and industry vets mingled while air kisses were blown across the room during cocktail hour. Mimosas and bellinis flowed as guests posed for pictures on the red carpet with the life size GRAMMY statuette. Once seated, guests were formally welcomed by Michael Benavente, managing director at Bulova, who shared his excitement for the partnership with the Recording Academy. He offered powerful words about the impact of music, noting that the spirit of today's event is the "intersection of music and time." 

The audience had a chance to hear directly from Rodgers as GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Scott Goldman sat down with the legend for a one-on-one conversation. When asked about his gift for collaborating with other artists, Rodgers — who has produced for legends like Diana Ross, Mick Jagger, Madonna, and many more, offered a simple answer: "I'm not afraid to fail, and I have total respect for the artist I work with," he said.

During the conversation Nile also spoke about the forthcoming Chic album, It's About Time, which was delayed because of the untimely passing of his close friends, Prince and David Bowie. The frontman, who describes his band as the “Grateful Dead of dance music,” admits to usually playing just one special guitar, despite having well over 100 of them. 

The highlight of the afternoon was undoubtedly the performance by the producer extraordinaire, and his band, Chic. Rodgers, who is a co-founding member of Chic and lead guitarist, reminded us why he's the king of disco funk. The band gave an explosive performance that had everyone on their feet, singing along. Performing hits such as “Everybody Dance," “I Want Your Love” and even some new material, it felt like Studio 54 in the '70s. And if that wasn't enough, Rodgers also performed hits from artists he's collaborated with, including Diana Ross and Sister Sledge. 

Not one person was seated during the performance — Jason Lipshutz, editorial director at Billboard, included. "To hear Nile tell stories and reflect on his contributions to music and witness a live performance really sets the tone for the weekend,” Lipshutz remarked. 

GRAMMY.com also got a chance to chat with Rodgers, a New York native, about working with Bulova. "Bulova is such an iconic brand. All of my life I've been going to the airport and passing the Bulova building, which is a landmark," says the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. "And the GRAMMYs are a symbol of excellence. It's cool to be associated with iconic brands."

As the official timepiece partner of the 60th GRAMMY Awards, Bulova is celebrating the milestone anniversary with a limited-edition timepiece that will be presented to all winners of tomorrow's annual GRAMMY celebration. 

Hosted by James Corden, the 60th GRAMMY Awards will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York on Jan. 28, airing live on CBS from 7:30–11 p.m. ET/4:30–8 p.m. PT.

(Lakeia Brown is a freelance writer and host of the podcast, Decoded with Elle Bee. She has been published in publications like O, The Oprah Magazine, Essence and Complex. You can follow her on IG @elle_bee_decoded.)

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