Nile Rodgers' Top Ten Greatest Hits
By Ken Simmons
Born September 19, 1952 in New York City, Nile Rodgers is one of the most prolific composers and producers in music history. He founded the trendsetting disco group Chic in 1977 with Bernard Edward, and together they wrote, produced and recorded the dance music anthems "Le Freak" and Good Times." This acclaimed guitarist has collaborated with a who's who of rock and R&B, including Madonna, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Diana Ross, Peter Gabriel, David Lee Roth, Jeff Beck, the B-52's, Luther Vandross, INXS, Johnny Mathis, Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire, Al Jarreau, and many more.
In 2014, Rodgers won the three first three Grammy Awards of his career as a featured artist on Daft Punk's Random Access Memories CD. He received Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Get Lucky." His performance with Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams, and Stevie Wonder at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2014 at Staples Center in Los Angeles was one of the greatest in the history of the Grammys.
On February 3, 2015, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) honored Rodgers "for his commitment to excellence and ongoing support for the art and craft of recorded music."
Starting the party out was French DJ Greg Cerrone. Son of the one of the most influential European DJs of the ’70′/’80s, Cerrone, Greg has had music flowing through his blood from the start. Kicking off his career in the early 2000′s Greg Cerrone has played opening DJ sets for a mass of prestigious events, released nine albums, and established his own record label, On Air Music. Setting the mood with his fluent mixes, Greg Cerrone had everyone moving from the start and all while displaying an affectionate smile on his face.
In response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Rodgers founded the We Are Family Foundation (WAFF), named after his iconic song recorded by Sister Sledge, to "create and support programs that inspire and educate the next generation about respect, understanding, and cultural diversity, while striving to solve some of our biggest global problems." WAFF has built 17 schools in Africa, Asia and Central America, and has created a network of the world's most brilliant teenagers (global teen leaders) who are addressing those problems and changing the world.
Here is a list of "Nile Rodgers' Top Ten Greatest Hits."
Chic. Gus Stewart/Redferns
1. 1978 - "Le Freak" by Chic
The leaders of Chic, Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, composed and produced "Le Freak" which is the best selling single in the history of Atlantic Records with over seven million copies sold. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, R&B and dance charts in 1978. Billboard ranked "Le Freak" number 21 on the magazine's top 100 songs of the first 55 years of the Hot 100 chart
Nile Rodgers, Pharrell Williams and Daft Punk performing "Get Lucky" during the 56th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on January 26, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Kevin Mazur/WireImage
2. 2013 - "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk
Nile Rodgers was a featured artist on Daft Punk's 2013 hit "Get Lucky" which won Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Pop Group/Duo Performance. The song has sold over nine million copies.
Chic. Chris Walter/WireImage
3. 1979 - "Good Times" by Chic
In 1979, "Good Times" became Chic's second single to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. Composed and produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, it was the number one R&B single of the year, selling over five million copies. The track also became the basis for the trailblazing hip-hop song "Rapper's Delight" by The Sugarhill Gang.
Madonna and Nile Rodgers performing at Live Aid on July 13, 1985 at JFK Stadium in Philadephia, PA.). Ebet Roberts/Redferns
4. 1984 - "Like A Virgin" by Madonna
Nile Rodgers catapulted Madonna from dance music queen to superstardom when he produced the title song of her 1984 album, Like A Virgin. It was her first number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained at the top of the chart for six weeks. "Like A Virgin" was also number one on the Billboard Dance chart.
Sister Sledge. Harry Langdon/Getty Images
5. 1979 - "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge
Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards wrote and produced Sister Sledge's classic "We Are Family" which reached number one on the Billboard R&B and dance charts, and number two on the Hot 100.
"We Are Family" became the theme song for the Pittsburgh Pirates who won the World Series in 1979. It is also the theme for Rodgers' non-profit We Are Family Foundation which unites the greatest teenagers in the world in a network to solve global problems.
David Bowie and Nile Rodgers. Ebet Roberts/Redferns
6. 1983 - "Let's Dance" by David Bowie
In 1983, the title tune of David Bowie's album Let's Dance became Bowie's second single to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Produced by Nile Rodgers, it is one of the best selling songs of his career.
Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran with Nile Rodgers. Virginia Turbett/Redferns
7. 1984 - "The Reflex" by Duran Duran
Nile Rodgers remixed Duran Duran's "The Reflex" in 1984 and it became the band's most successful single. It was their first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and it remained at the top of the chart for two weeks.
Diana Ross. L. Cohen/WireImage
8. 1980 - "Upside Down" by Diana Ross
Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards composed and produced "Upside Down" for Diana Ross which reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100, R&B, and Dance charts in 1980.
Madonna. Ebet Roberts/Redferns
9. 1984 - "Material Girl" by Madonna
Nile Rodgers produced "Material Girl" which was the second single from Madonna's best selling album, Like A Virgin, in 1984. The song reached number one on the Billboard Dance chart and number two on the Hot 100.
Nile Rodgers with John Taylor of Duraan Duran. Virginia Turbett/Redferns
10. 1984 - "The Wild Boys" by Duran Duran
Nile Rodgers produced "The Wild Boys" for Duran Duran's 1984 Arena album and it reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
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