Black & White

Getting my make-up done in Black & White

Today I have so much to catch up on. As part of my responsibility as a member of the Original Score panel for the AIAS (Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences) awards, I have to play a ton of the newest video games (Oh poor me.) I ran downstairs anticipating Call of Duty 3, InFamous 2, Batman: Arkham City, L.A. Noire and at least two dozen other hot titles.

When I went into the room to get the box where all the games were stored I noticed a huge stack of photos. This was the master pile of photos that I'd compiled for my memoir "Le Freak."

After a full day of gaming in HD I went back and looked at the photos. I was surprised that so many of my favorites were in Black & White.

Me and Eric Clapton in B&W

Me and Janelle Monáe in B&W

Rick James and me in B&W

CHIC in B&W

David Bowie and Liz Taylor in B&W

Me and David Bowie in B&W

Kimberly, Me and Folami in B&W

Me by Robert Mapplethorpe in B&W

Me and 'Nard in B&W

Me and 'Nard in B&W

Me in B&W

Audra, me and Sylver in B&W

Me and James Brown in B&W

Me and Charlie Sheen in B&W

Me and Ky-Mani Marley in B&W

Me in the studio with Adam Lambert in B&W

 

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There's No Place Like Home

There's No Place Like Home

I arrived home yesterday after a month's long tour in Germany with Night of the Proms. I was supposed to be home the day before, but my flight got cancelled due to Europe's first major snowfall.

Now that I'm back, the first order of business for me is to get some rest. And for that, There's No Place Like Home.

 

 

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Airport Sheraton Hotel in Frankfurt

Airport Sheraton Hotel in Frankfurt

I am so disappointed. In yesterday's blog I gave a detailed account of what the next two days of my life were going to be like. I presented it as fact. My plans were crystal clear because they'd been scheduled for months.

When this blog goes out today, I don't know where in the world I'll be. I'm setting it to go out in advance and I'm hoping to be over the North Sea, but it's supposed to snow in Germany which is where I am at the moment of me writing this.

I'm still here because today was the first major snowfall of the year in Europe and it changed my perfect plans completely. The only thing that I'll present as fact today is: I spent last night in the Airport Sheraton Hotel in Frankfurt.

 

We got checked into Bremen Airport in no time at all. A few moments later they told us the flight was delayed two hours

Folami in Germany a few days ago

Kimberly a few days ago in Germany

Me in Germany a few days ago

 

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Five O'Clock AM EST (New York)

A plane bound for America

As this blog goes out, I'm sitting in the airport in Bremen, Germany. It's Five O'Clock AM Eastern Standard Time but it's eleven o'clock here. In an hour I'll catch one flight then transfer to another bound for America. If all goes right I'll be in my bed by 10:00 PM EST. This string of gigs, including last night's private concert, have been very memorable. We've not had one bad show in almost two months.

In these lean economic times, a live shows is a real bargain. It brings entertainment and entertainers back to the basics. In the CHIC Organization our motto is: "We play for free - we get paid to travel." After I do a full day of traveling today, and before I go out for my morning walk tomorrow, I'll write and send out my daily blog at Five O'clock AM EST (New York).

 

CHIC leaving the stage

Five O'Clock AM EST (New York)

 

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Where Does The Time Go?

Div4s, Alison Moyet, Seal and me

Tonight we performed our final show of The Night of the Proms. The month seemed to fly by. Where Does The Time Go?

This is a great organization and they make everybody feel like family. In fact, we end each performance with the song "We Are Family" - a song Bernard Edwards and I wrote for Sister Sledge way back in 1978. Where Does The Time Go?

 

Last Night of the Proms

Maestro Robert Groslot and Il Novecento

Last Night of the Proms - rigging ladder

Last Night of the Proms - Stanfour smoking!

Backstage

Seal shooting Div4s and me

Folami (foreground), Alison and Kim kicking it

The sign outside my now empty dressing room

My empty dressing room

Our final show - an empty stage - Where Does the Time Go?

 

 

 

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Amazing Grace

I was going for a robust walk to the top of the Dom Cathedral yesterday

I was going for a robust walk to the top of the Dom Cathedral yesterday. The beautiful church beckons because it's just a short distance from my hotel in Cologne, Germany. It is one of the few original buildings in this area that survived WWII. Amazing Grace.

Just as I was about to leave for my walk I remembered that I had arranged an important conference call with Grace Jones. Yes, that Grace Jones. The original queen of Avant-garde Underground Groove Music and Stylism.

In 1977, she changed my life by not leaving my name at the stage-door of Studio 54, causing them to refuse me entry which resulted in me writing "Le Freak," my biggest hit single. We've been friends ever since and I've never known anybody quite like Grace. She's absolutely one-of-a-kind.

After talking to Grace, who makes everyday chit-chat exciting, I was struck by the thought that she and I are still here. Many extraordinary death defying things have happened to us both. We've lost many mutual friends.

While I'm still breathing, I'm going to create as much as possible. I want next year to be the best and most productive year of my life. If I'm lucky enough to get another year after that I want it to be even better. If I can reach my goal, it will be Amazing Grace.

 

Cologne Cathedral in May 1945

Grace Jones "Pull Up to the Bumper"

CHIC "Le Freak" (US 12 Inch)

Andy Warhol - Mutual Friend

Keith Haring - Mutual Friend

Jean-Michel Basquiat - Mutual Friend

I'll talk to the Amazing Grace today and get to the Amazing Cathedral tomorrow

 

 

 

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I'll Let You Know

Walking on Planet C

I'll Let You Know

Today I'm heading out to walk to the top of the Dom Cathedral

Today, I'm heading out to walk to the top of the Dom Cathedral in Cologne, Germany. It is directly across from my hotel suite.

I've been told that after I climb the five hundred or so steps, that I'll witness the best view of the city. I'll Let You Know.

 

The Dom Cathedral from my hotel suite at night

I've been told that after I climb the 500 steps I'll have a great view

They say the view is breathtaking. When I get back I'll let you know

 

 

 

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Funky Business as Usual

Walking on Planet C

Funky Business as Usual

Funky Business as Usual

Tonight we played in Luxembourg. It was the first time that CHIC had performed there. The show was exciting. The people’s energy was electrifying.

In the middle of the concert there was a total blackout. We found out it was the whole of the city and not just our arena.

The people remained cool until the power came back and the show continued without a hitch. These camera shots show it was just Funky Business as Usual.

 

Funky Business as Usual

Funky Business as Usual

Funky Business as Usual

Funky Business as Usual

 

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Just Say Hello

Walking on Planet C

Just Say Hello

This is me about to eat my first meal the day of my cancer surgery - The black and white picture below is me today

About a year ago, I started this daily blog to help me deal with the path of my life after I was diagnosed with aggressive cancer. I've only missed writing it a handful of days and my lifestyle is very hectic.

When I don't hear from people that I know are struggling with deadly conditions I get very worried. I've not heard from certain people that I feel close to for a long while. They usually email or DM me on Twitter. I've got a good memory and I notice when I've not heard from you even though I get thousands of emails daily.

Please check in with me just to let me know you're alright. I don't care what physical, mental, or spiritual condition you're in - Just Say Hello.

Just Saying Hello

 

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BBC Breakfast Interview

Walking on Planet C

BBC Breakfast Interview

BBC Breakfast

Yesterday I did an interview on BBC Breakfast. I was back in London for a few hours promoting my memoir, "Le Freak."

After the interview, I was on a plane back to Germany to re-join the cast of Night of the Proms. I'll post pictures from that tomorrow, but in the meantime, here's my BBC Breakfast Interview.

Uploaded by BreakfastBites
The legendary producer Nile Rodgers appeared on Breakfast to talk about his career and his new book, Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco and Destiny.

 

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