Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Even If It Kills Us

February 22, 2014


Pharrell & Nile Rodgers perform 'Get Lucky/Good Times/Happy' | BRIT Awards 2014

A few days ago I had an amazing night in London. It ended in the wee hours of the morning after a party thrown by Warner Music after a huge show at the O2 Arena.

We did a 45 minute CHIC set ending with Kylie Minogue singing "Le Freak" with us... then the entire crowd did "Good Times"/"Rapper's Delight" in a sing-along. It was magical.

Kylie and I are both cancer survivors, and it was inspiring to be on stage with her. As another C survivor friend of mine says, "Cancer is not a disease for the weak minded."

Another high note of the night was performing with my Daft Punk collaborator, Pharrell Williams at The Brits... the British awards for musical excellence. We did a 3 song mash-up with his band and a crew of Northern Soul Dancers, including Levanna Mclean, from Pharrell's hit video "Happy."

I'm honored to work in the music business, though in my case, I have no choice - I'm a slave to it and would do it at any cost. I've seen the best and the worst of it - but I'm still in it.

Both the O2, and the Savoy Hotel Ballroom, were filled with so many artists I love and respect: Prince, Disclosure, Rudimental, Lorde, Calvin Harris, Laura Mvula, Arctic Monkeys, Ellie Goulding, Bruno Mars, Beyonce, Sam Smith, Katy B, Noel Gallagher & Lianne La Havas to name but a few.

We all love music. And we all do it... Even If It Kills Us

 


The Warner after party "Wave your hands in the air"


Warner Music CEO Len Blavatnik threw a star-studded Brits after party


The yacht Warner Music ferried me on from The Brits to the after party


Me and Kylie Minogue after our CHIC set at Warner Music after party


Pharrell and me with his band and a crew of Northern Soul Dancers


Madonna's Like A Virgin, which I produced sold over 20 Million - I've seen the best of times


After Disco Demolition, my multi-platinum band CHIC never had another hit record and it was the worst of times


Both venues were filled with artists I love and respect like Prince


Disclosure and me on The Brits red carpet


Rudimental and me getting photo bombed by TV host


Lorde and me backstage at The Brits


Calvin Harris and me getting our laugh on at The Brits


Laura Mvula and me - She's so talented and drop dead gorgeous that this pic doesn't do her justice


Alex Turner and The Arctic Monkeys set the night off big time


Ellie Goulding and me backstage at The Brits


Bruno Mars at The Brits, whom Sting and I played with a couple years ago. He's the real deal


Beyoncé was absolutely stunning and dramatic


Sam Smith, whom I've just done a record with Disclosure, on the red carpet - Dude's amazing!


Me and Katy B on the red carpet - she sings her A$$ off


Me with Noel Gallagher from Oasis - which says it all


Singer, songwriter, guitarist and my table mate Lianne La Havas, who is charm personified