Nile Rodgers Reveals Why He Switched From Gibson to Strat, Explains How It Affected His Playing
"I wasn't particularly attracted to it for any reason other than the fact that it was the cheapest guitar in the store", the guitarist said of his Hitmaker.
Nile Rodgers recalled why he decided to switch to his iconic Hitmaker Stratocaster, noting how his live performances got "better right away."
There are many reasons a guitarist would pick a Strat as their weapon of choice — it has been wielded by so many of rock's greats that its body shape became widely associated with the genre, while its playability is something that won over even the likes of Buddy Guy, who thought it looked like a "joke" when he first saw one. For the legendary Chic founder & overall industry superstar Nile Rodgers, the decision to switch from Gibson's Barney Kessel to a Fender Stratocaster was inspired by hearing someone else sounding better than him while playing through his amp, as he explains to Guitar World in a recent interview.
Recalling that one night in 1973 when he caugth the Start bug, the guitarist said:
"That particular night when that incident happened, I was playing a [Gibson] Barney Kessel. It's a wonderful jazz guitar, but it was feeding back at relative medium live volumes. You gotta remember this was 1973, and we were playing in a club, and we didn't have a proper PA."
"All the music that would spill from the stage was the volume the audience would hear. And my jazz guitar would feed back, and when this kid plugged into my amp and played this Strat, his guitar did not feedback – and he was playing louder, better, and cooler than me. I was like, 'Whoa.'"
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/gear/nile_rodgers_reveals_why_he_switched_from_gibson_to_strat_explains_how_it_affected_his_playing.html
“When this kid plugged into my amp and played this Strat, he was playing louder, better and cooler than me. I was like, ‘Whoa’”: Nile Rodgers on what convinced him to buy a Fender Stratocaster – and why it was the best investment he ever made
The Chic founder on the tale of his legendary Hitmaker Strat – which was the cheapest guitar in the store when he bought it
It wouldn’t be a celebration of the Fender Stratocaster’s 70th anniversary without speaking to one of its most iconic proponents about the Strat that has shifted so many units it is forever to be known as the Hitmaker
Here, Nile Rodgers of Chic explains what makes the Strat so special – and how he got turned onto it in the first place.
What first attracted you to the Strat?
“Somebody else playing through my amplifier and sounding better than me! [Laughs]”
What guitar were you using before the Stratocaster?
“That particular night when that incident happened, I was playing a [Gibson] Barney Kessel, it’s a wonderful jazz guitar, but it was feeding back at relative medium live volumes. You gotta remember this was 1973, and we were playing in a club, and we didn’t have a proper PA.
“All the music that would spill from the stage was the volume the audience would hear. And my jazz guitar would feed back, and when this kid plugged into my amp and played this Strat, his guitar did not feed back – and he was playing louder, better and cooler than me. I was like, ‘Whoa.’”
Read the full article on GuitarWorld.com HERE: https://www.guitarworld.com/features/nile-rodgers-on-his-hitmaker-fender-stratocaster
SINGERSROOM :: 15 Best Music Producers of All Time
12. NILE RODGERS
Nile Rodgers is a visionary music producer, songwriter, and guitarist whose pioneering work has profoundly influenced the landscape of popular music. As co-founder of the funk and disco band Chic, Rodgers helped define the sound of the 1970s with infectious grooves, sophisticated arrangements, and memorable guitar riffs.
Rodgers’ production credits extend far beyond Chic, encompassing collaborations with some of the biggest artists in music history. His work with David Bowie on the acclaimed album “Let’s Dance” marked a pivotal moment in both artists’ careers, blending rock with dance and funk influences to create a groundbreaking sound.
Throughout the decades, Nile Rodgers’ contributions to music production have been vast and diverse, spanning genres from pop and R&B to electronic dance music. His ability to craft timeless hits, such as Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” and Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky,” showcases his versatility and enduring relevance in the industry.
Beyond his production prowess, Rodgers’ influence as a guitarist and songwriter has earned him accolades and admiration from peers and fans alike. His distinctive guitar style, characterized by rhythmic precision and soulful expression, remains a hallmark of his musical legacy.
Nile Rodgers’ impact on music production is not only evident in his chart-topping hits but also in his ability to innovate and adapt to evolving musical trends. His contributions continue to inspire generations of musicians and producers, cementing his status as a true icon in the history of modern music.
Nile Rodgers 'honoured' as he picks up Polar prize alongside Finnish composer
Chic co-founder Nile Rodgers said he was "honoured" as he picked up the 2024 Polar Music Prize alongside Finnish conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen.
The Polar Music Prize was founded in 1989 by manager of Abba, the late Stig 'Stikkan' Anderson, to celebrate excellence in music.
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden presented the two recipients with the award at a gala ceremony held at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm on Tuesday.
Rodgers, 71, said: "I know that music changes lives.
"I've been told 'artists are the gatekeepers of truth’.
"I am honoured to be here tonight in such distinguished company.
"Congratulations to the outstanding Esa-Pekka Salonen and all the past recipients of the Polar Music Prize.
"To have been acknowledged in the same way as Paul McCartney, Led Zeppelin, Chuck Berry, Joni Mitchell, Ennio Morricone and so many more of my heroes is a dream come true."
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2024/0521/1450500-nile-rodgers-honoured-as-he-picks-up-polar-prize/
Daft Punk Release Random Access Memories (Drumless Edition): Stream
The re-release arrives at the 10th anniversary of their final studio album
Daft Punk have released Random Access Memories (Drumless Edition) via Columbia Records. The re-release, which has removed all drums and percussive elements from their final studio album, arrives at the 10-year anniversary of the 2013 Grammy-winning Album of the Year. Stream the album below.
According to the album's press release, the drumless edition of hit album Random Access Memories aims to give listeners "the ability to dive deeper into the layers of each track."
The record arrives shortly after the release of Random Access Memories (10th Anniversary Edition), which included nine unreleased tracks for a total of 35 minutes of all-new music. The release saw Random Access Memories return to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart.
Daft Punk have also commemorated this anniversary with an ongoing content series called Memory Tapes, which pulls back the curtain on the French house duo's creation of Random Access Memories. Directed by Warren Fu, the series includes guest interviews with names like Julian Casablancas and Pharrell Williams.
Though surely a sentimental victory lap for Daft Punk and fans alike, Thomas Bangalter recently shared his "relief" over Daft Punk's 2021 breakup on BBC's The First Time with Matt Everett. "The last thing I would want to be, in the world we live in, in 2023, is a robot," he said. Bangalter shared solo orchestral album Mythologies earlier this year.
Random Access Memories (Drumless Edition) is now available on all streaming platforms. The album is also available for purchase on CD, Double LP and digital formats.
Random Access Memories (Drumless Edition) Tracklist:
01. Give Life Back to Music (Drumless Edition) [feat. Nile Rodgers]
02. The Game of Love (Drumless Edition)
03. Giorgio by Moroder (Drumless Edition)
04. Within (Drumless Edition)
05. Instant Crush (Drumless Edition) [feat. Julian Casablancas]
06. Lose Yourself to Dance (Drumless Edition) [feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers]
07. Touch (Drumless Edition) [feat. Paul Wiliams]
08. Get Lucky (Drumless Edition) [feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers]
09. Beyond (Drumless Edition)
10. Motherboard (Drumless Edition)
11. Fragments of Time (Drumless Edition) [feat. Todd Edwards]
12. Doin’ it Right (Drumless Edition) [feat. Panda Bear]
12. Contact (Drumless Edition)
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE:
https://consequence.net/2023/11/daft-punk-random-access-memories-drumless-edition-stream/