I met Nile several years ago. I asked him for a selfie, he told me, yes, but to hang on a minute. He stepped away from me to talk to someone, and true to his word, he came back to me, shook my hand, and posed for a selfie. I have been told "wait a minute" by other celebrities who never came back. Nile is truly a respectful and soft-spoken gentleman!
Ya Chuck Berry said he’d autograph a record for me after the show. He invited some people on stage for the last song and after he walked backstage, I followed him, we were alone and I reminded him and he said no and walked away.
@@carlwalker1623 Those accounts are terrible. I remember getting my CD signed by Lisa Loeb and not getting snubbed.... although after she exited the stage we were told she had left. Several minutes after we had exited the venue, a young girl and her mother came out with a photo of the girl having a "selfie" with Mrs Loeb. All is fair in love and war.... it was sweet of the singer to do that and we didn't think she was snubbing us.
recently lost dickie betts after show maybe like 20 30 of us fans hung around the tour bus greg obviously not well went straight on dickir greeted everyone signed record one of mine cds poloraid photos few fans the church same steve kilby singed friends record they were graciuous guys also niles interview cbs guitar auction preview greetef fans for selfies took the time he gave away must have a million dollars to charity at the vintage guitar auction
I was born in 1957,I was exposed to every kind of music from showtunes,symphonic, Sinatra, 60s ,70s rock and of course disco! Being a musician myself I embraced it all,I was a pretty good dancer too! I would go from rocking out to David Bowie,BTO,ELP ,to putting on my disco clothes and shoes and get up on that dance floor until 2 in the morning! Im crippled now by arthritis and COPD,but i still can listen and appreciate all that great music and reminisce about those "Good times"!😊😊😊
@@dougpool4730 Yep! I didn't realize I was a rich kid until I was grown. In 1967, my parents gave me a hot pink metal flake bike for Christmas with a flowery banana seat and large basket on front which also had flowers. I looked it up in a 1967 Sears catalogue and saw that they paid $65 for it. In today's money, that's $610! I did love that bicycle. I'd ride with the neighborhood kids, we picked up soda bottles for return money (5 cents a bottle!). I could carry the most in my basket. We'd head for the Five and Dime up the street and hit the penny candy aisle and make out like bandits. Those 👏🏼Were 👏🏼The 👏🏼 Good 👏🏼Times!👏🏼 Yeah, I know, I know, I'll say it for ya, "OK BOOMER!"😂😜😝
I still remember that the grips on the handlebars were sparkly too, and had a unique smell. Especially in Summer. I loved that smell, and remembered it when I read Doug Peter's description of those awesome bikes. I never forget a smell, good or bad! 😂😜
❤🎉 CHIC! Nile Rodgers was a musical genius. He wrote or produced literally hundreds of songs. And to think that it started by being barred from Studio 54. Thanks Professor! Have a great weekend.
Nile is a genius; he lives. Bernard was a genius; he is deceased. Nile was already writing before he got turned away from Studio 54. "Le Freak" was on Chic's second album. But your positive Chic-ism is much appreciated! Have a great weekend! :-)
Fun fact: Le Freak held the record for most times going in & out of #1. I'm sure that has since been broken, but Casey Kasem said that question was asked hundreds of times, so they had to answer it on the air. It hit #1 for 1 week... Then "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" returned to #1 for 1 week (it hit before Le Freak). Then it went back up for 2 more weeks. Then "Too Much Heaven" spent 2 weeks at #1. Then Le Freak went back up for 3 more weeks!!! Overall, here are the weeks it was #1: 12/9/78 12/23/78 12/30/78 1/20/79 1/27/79 2/3/79
Disco got the last laugh. Almost every club you go to now got a disco ball. You put on Earth Wind & Fire or Chic, you'll see people coming out to dance even today. That's a W
I agree; Philip Bailey actually wrote that "Boogie Wonderland" was the only disco song Earth, Wind & Fire ever did. But certainly it was not the only hit of theirs that has been played at discos.
As a lifelong musician, my first love was rock music and Chic's reign was in my high school years when I loathed disco. Now I LOVE their guitar and bass work and honor it for its excellence.
People forget Bernard and Tony Thompson from Chic were part of the Powerstation. Tony was an actual member of the band and Bernard was involved in the studio with them. The drumming on the first power station record is excellent. Always loved Chic but then again I loved disco even though I wasn't old enough to go to the clubs.
Le Freak was my mother's favorite disco song. I'm our house, we were raised listening to a variety of music, although most of it was rock (sometimes pop, too). I can't tell you how many times Mom would crank that up on the stereo in the living room and she + all 3 of us kids would dance around like we were crazy. I lost my Mom around the same time you lost your Dad, Adam, and your stories about him always reverberate in my mind to my memories of my Mom and I singing our lungs 🫁 out driving down the road in the car or singing & dancing in the living room. 🥲🥰😊
What a great story! I've never heard it. My husband loved Chic, and before he passed we got the chance to see them open for Earth, Wind & Fire. What a great show.
I read the account of how Le Freak came to be with them using the "F" word. Saying "freak off" would sound like they were still intending to use the "f" word and some may still have felt uncomfortable playing it. "Freak Out" was a good choice. Now an X-Rated version on the B-side would have been interesting as some songs had for their explicit versions.
Nile Rodgers opened for Duran2 in concert Sept 2023 at the Boston Garden. So crowded, I hadn't even found my balcony cheap seat yet, but I rushed to see them on stage. No better band to get the crowd going and up on our feet dancing. Thanks for featuring Le Chic; I'd no idea how many other artists and songs they influenced, but ofc, I hear them everywhere. Regardless of how anyone feels about it, the cultural impact of Disco cannot be denied, and Nile is a musical genius.☮️
That wasn't surprising at all considering he's basically been a part of Duran Duran since they met back in the early 80s. They've been mutual fans and collaborators ever since. True music knows no genre it just makes people feel something. It just wasn't as popularized at the time and went unnoticed by many.
Oh, I remember the late 70s. "Death before Disco" was a mantra in my northern Nevada home. Recently I was having a music conversation with another fellow, and when he asked do you like ABBA? I answered hell yes. One of my favorites. Then I thought about how much I like Donna Summer, and much of the Bee Gees, etc. I guess I have always been a disco fan, along with rock/metal/pop/folk....... Great time to be alive back then.
@@lisapop5219 Wasn't it great living in a home where music was always playing? My mom had one of those big console Magnavox stereos, she'd put on a big stack of records to play during the day. We all loved comedy too, so many evenings instead of TV we'd listen to Dad's collection of comic albums, such as Phil Silvers, Bob Newhart, Flip Wilson (my favorite), Jonathan Winters, Phyllis Diller, and lots of Bill Cosby back before we found out what a creep he was. He was funny!
Loved today's show! We had a drill team routine to Freak Out that I can still do because it was such a great song. I had no idea the origin story with f-bomb! Great memories 💃🏻✨️
100%. How many stories has Adam told about artists being rejected and caught a break at some point and made it big. I'd love to hear what labels execs thought of their f*ckups. That'd be hilarious.
My older brother is going to be 60 at the end of the year, and I remember him coming home from middle school dances singing Chic and teaching my little brother and me The Hustle.
You hit me in the feels with that GI Joe aircraft carrier reference. My best friend in middle school had it and it took up the entire corner of his family room. Cool as it was and big as it was, it seemed like a bit of a space hog. Imagine not being allowed into a party where you can hear your music playing on the dance floor behind the door man blocking your entry? Great stories always-- thanks again, Professor!
Thank you for presenting this! As a lover of almost all music, I am so glad you look at all genres. Each inspires and influences the others. And I love Nile Rodgers. I loved it when he joined The Honey Drippers and collaborated with David Bowie and so many others. Thank you Professor!
Good times helped make 1979 a great year. I looked forward to listening to the year end countdowns every year back then and I still remember the excitement I felt listening that year.
*Nile Rodgers, Bernard Edwards* and *Tony Thompson* were ALL OVER the radio from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s. One or more of these members of *Chic* produced and/or played on hit singles like _We Are Family_ (Sister Sledge), _I'm Coming Out_ (Diana Ross), _Let's Dance_ (David Bowie), _Like a Virgin, Material Girl, Angel,_ and _Dress You Up_ (Madonna), _Wild Boys_ (Duran Duran), and numerous others. Remember those unforgettable iconic drums on _Some Like it Hot_ (Powerstation)? That supergroup was made up of *Robert Palmer, John Taylor, Andy Taylor* ...and drummer, *Tony Thompson.* Rodgers also produced the remix of _The Reflex_ (Duran Duran), which is the audio on the official music video and is the signature version of that song.
All the funk from the 70's propelled every genre of music since that time. After the early 70's, rock music wasn't always featured. Nile Rodgers and others picked up the baton and ran away with it. I'm probably a metal head, headbanger, but, look thru my playlist, you'll find as much 70's funk as you will any other kind of music. Great show today
Those girls were with loads of sass and I have lots of great memories playing their songs in my car cassettes cruising down the highway ❤ Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for the memories ❤
I used to be a disco hater. 56 years old this year, i was into what was then classic rock. Pink floyd, zeppelin, the doors...i laughed at abba, bee gees, mj, and even lighter rock. Man was I wrong.
@@ponzo1967 I knew someone who liked Metal and Disco. That was different for sure. All genre's are guilty of having clunkers. Some complain that #9 by the Beatles is horrible.... I actually like it.... I liked a lot of Britney stuff during her early days but cringed with a song called "Do Something". Even Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together Again" no Queen's "Fat Bottomed Girls" were THAT bad... and those songs grew on me..... Actually I started liking Fat Bottomed Girls over all the hate Queen got from those nauseatingly self-righteous, self-appointed "saviors" who caused the "Satanic Panic" hoax.
I was in basic training for the Air Force when all of this started coming out. Being a long time, rock and roll guitar player…I didn’t like it at first, but later on I realized that NILES is THE MAN. In terms of originality and quality rhythm guitar…he’s right up there with Malcom Young in his own right. Fantastic stuff! Guitar player in Georgia.
I was a rocker back in those days and still am today but I was a secret disco listener back then, I just wouldn't let myself be caught listening to disco when around my rock buddies.
Those 2 songs were so much fun to dance to. The disco floor was instantly filled to capacity when they were played. I went past the old disco building when I was last in San Antonio a couple of years ago. Its now a pawn shop. A lot of good memories.
Hey Professor. I always thought of them as just disco tunes and didn't realize how much they influenced the rock music I loved. Thanks for straightening me out on that!
Two phenomenal musician/producers who supplied the groove, the inspiration and/or the production for everyone from Madonna to David Bowie and from Daft Punk to the entire hip hop culture. Thanks for giving us a glimpse into their musical history and genius. Also, keep up the great work, your show is killer
Me too! I loved to roller skate usually twice a week. I was working as an RN, day shift at the time. Halloween, we were encouraged to come to the rink in costume. Because I was going after work, no time to go home, I went in my uniform. Wouldn’t you know I won a prize for my “ costume “? It was such a release to get on the floor and skate after a hectic shift. I still want to get up and move when I hear the music. Those were some of the best days of my life.
No need to apologize or preface. These were talented musicians who could read and write the music they composed. It was unfortunate that some genres of music that was danceable got unfortunately characterized as "disco". One massive ripoff you missed was the 80's smash "Bounce, Rock, Skate Roll" by Vaughn Mason. It came back a few years ago when the movie Roll, Bounce came out. I saw Chic in Atlanta in the 80's. They had everyone laughing when they played Rappers Delight and Roll Bounce as an interlude to Good Times. Great video, Adam.
You can hear their sound in those works but they also produced "Dynamite" by Rod Stewart which DOESN'T sound like them. I mistook it for an earlier 70s tune because it was a B-side for "Crazy For Her" from 1987.
I'll add to the story. About 10 years ago I attended a Disco event that included a few panel discussions. One of those discussions included the Atlantic Records promo guy in charge of "Good Times" promotions and the record label person who made the decision to use Good Times as the backing track. It was a tense discussion and emotions were expressed. The Sugarhill rep stated the vocals were done and they listened to a few tracks before settling on Good Times. Today Niles sings the Surgarhill's rap when he performs Good Times!! The event was by Legends Of Vinyl in a club in lower Manhattan.
I like to think we become less Dogmatic as we age, that for me holds true as I was strictly a Rock and metal guy growing up in the 70's and 80's.. I appreciate Funk music more and more as I'm now in my 50's..
As one who was on the rock side disco was awesome too. Thanks for the behind the scenes. Chic was awesome disco was every bit as deep as rock.I’m glad I enjoyed both scenes. For me the 60’s and 70’s well let me just say you had to be there to understand it. Man was I lucky.
Wanted to pop in Adam, to tell you how much I thoroughly enjoyed your vid, from a couple of days back, about your history. You know, I always refer to myself as a walking encyclopedia of useless musical trivia, but after watching that I came to realize that you are the King of musical trivia. The only thing I have over you is I started many years earlier hearing Elvis, The Everly Bros and Bobby Darin in the late 50s, early 60s and picked up whatever info I could learn about them. Amazing how much we managed to learn before the intertubes came along, eh? Anyway, surprisingly I have even MORE respect for you and what you do. I was pleasantly surprised to see your wife in the vid. She clearly admires your dedication to music, beyond your love relationship. Reminded me of how Valerie spoke about Eddie VH. A wife AND a fan. Anyway, that's it. Enjoy your weekend. - your friend and fan, Jstn.
Well said, I managed to pop into this world two weeks "before the music died", and cherish more and more being alive still to experience all forms of musical expression.
I knew about Nile Rodgers and his ridiculous talent but I didn't know his collaborating partner, Bernard Edwards! You taught me something new which is a definite part of the appeal of your videos! And, you give proper credit where credit is due, as it should be. Thanks and I look forward to more learning while also being entertained.
Our entire 5th grade dance musical line-up was centered around those two awesome songs. That bass of 110 bpm is found EVERYWHERE due to Edwards in Good Times. One of those beats that will be remembered like the first few notes of Fur Elise & I'm not being hyperbolic lol.
Great songs exist in all musical genres…and disco certainly spit out many wonderful songs. The fact that Chic made so amazing dance songs with actual instruments rather than being synthesizer or track heavy is a testament to their true artistry and skill…
My niece is only 7 years younger than me, and she learned French in high school. she's the one who corrected me and told me it's "c'est chic". Now she's lead singer in a German rock band where she moved in 1999. She's fluent in English, French and German and can navigate through Italy and Spain okay. I don't know how someone that smart came from my family of dolts!
Great video as always. I always felt that the anti-disco backlash took out some deserving acts that weren't as good.. But Chic was always a cut above. They created their own music sound. Nile and Bernard are musical geniuses.
Me: DISCO SUCKS Rock and Roll forever! Chic comes on the radio. Friend: Are you diggin' this disco crap? Me: No man just got a nervous twitch. Disco Sucks! 2 weeks later Friend: What's this Chic album doing in your album collection? Me: That's not mine man. It's my sister's album. Friend: You ain't got a sister you idiot!
@@ProfessorofRockI had a little sister and she borrowed Saturday Night Fever and wanted me to listen to it and give her my opinion. She was 12 and into disco. I was 15 and just heard the first 3 minutes of Tales From Topographic Oceans which became the finest music I ever heard. I listened to that whole 2 record set, then told her "If I Can't Have You by Yvonne Elliman is the only great song on this album." She cried.
@@eleanormassaro5195 Nah. But there is a couple good songs on SNF. Don't Throw It All Away is one of them, although Andy Gibb does it better than his brothers. And other than Yvonne's great song, I can't remember if there was anything else good on that soundtrack.
No argument here. As a rock guy growing up in the 70s, there was no denying that there was some awesome disco music out there. You wouldn't admit it to your rocker buddies. Even rock artists couldn't resist the charms of disco music, incorporating it into their own music. Which resulted in some of their biggest hits. Would there be a "Heart of Glass or Miss You", without the influence of disco? No. Disco never died, it just got absorbed into other popular music. And, it's all thanks to artists like Chic, who contributed mightily to the musical landscape.
Growing up in Flint Michigan in the 70's WTAC, an AM station would play everything from the Stones,Aerosmith, and David Bowie to the Chi lites, ABBA, Rose Royce and KC and the Sunshine Band and Parliament. My sister had a few Chic 45's and we wore the grooves off them 😊
I noticed "Le Freak" was in parenthesis on the image of the 45. Thus a "parenthesis" song. I don't remember the 45 we had having it like that, however.
Love Chic."Le Freak" is my favorite song from them (Love "Good Times", too). I was a kid during the disco era and loved it. A major disco fan. Disco is my all-time favorite musical genre. It was so exciting and so much fun. At the age of 13, I wore a Saturday Night Fever t-shirt and had a Bee Gees poster on my bedroom wall. Both Chic and KC & The Sunshine Band were favorite disco groups of mine just behind the Bee Gees. Anyway, I am so glad you covered Chic. Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards were musical geniuses and gave us great music. I'd love to see you get an interview with Nile Rodgers.
A great comment, Stephen; I was buying whatever I could find of Chic and KC & the Sunshine Band, too, also the Village People and other Casablanca disco artists. "Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)" by Chic was my first 12 inch single.
P.S.: Have you heard Chic's work on "Spacer" by Sheila and B. Devotion"? I think this show was great except for saying "Le Freak" was Chic's 3rd instead of 4th single, and a bit much on the "feud" angle.
Love these songs, your piece was terrific. I did notice you mentioned Nile and Bernard being icons, but I would argue Tony Thompson is an icon as well, and hugely overlooked.... including by you.
The thing that bugs me the most is that when people list the most innovative or influential guitarists, Nile Rodgers is conspicuously missing. What a bunch of BS. Nile should be in the top 10 influential guitarists ever!
One of the most important bands of the 70s, possibly ever. You could do an entire series of videos based on songs based on/heavily influenced by Rodgers & Edwards. An entire separate channel even! :)
The first time I ever became aware of the distinctive sound of Nile Rogers on guitar was in Freak Out and Good Times. Good Times is my favorite because that riff us just so infectious 😊 Ive since come to recognize his playing the same as one recognizes Eddie Van Halen or David Gilmore. Its just so signature ☺❤.
***PROF. ES TELLEMENT MANIFIQUE PARCE QUE EST DISCO, LE CHIC!: PROF, GOES TO THE DISCO & GETS DOWN w/ A LEGENDARY BAND THAT CHANGED DANCE...AND, ROCK...*** ...Of course, Prof. goes "Disco", and I'm having Computer problems! ...ha-HAAA! ...well, since I can't boogie down anymore (while People are watching), I can give the CHIC-EST of Pop charts...( cont.) *LE FREAK:* (Dec. 1978) : 10. Don't Throw It All Away - Andy Gibb 9. Sharing The Night Together - Dr. Hook 8. My Life - Billy Joel 7. Time Passages - Al Stewart 6. I Love The Nightlife (Disco 'Round) - Alicia Bridges 5. How Much I Feel - Ambrosia 4. I Just Wanna Stop - Gino Vannelli 3. You Don't Bring Me Flowers - Babs & *DIAMOND* 2. Mac Arthur Park - Donna Summer 1. ***Le Freak*** - CHIC (1st week of 5 weeks) (..hit #1 R&B & Disco, too....) *GOOD TIMES* (Aug. 1979) : 10. Mama Can't Buy You Love - Elton John 9. You Can't Change That - Raydio 8. The Devil Went Down To Georgia - Charlie Daniels Band 7. When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman - Dr. Hook 6. Ring My Bell - Anita Ward 5. After The Love Has Gone - Earth Wind & Fire 4. Bad Girls - Donna Summer 3. The Main Event- Babs 2. My Sharona - The Knack 1. ***Good Times*** - -CHIC (1 week) .....I'm loving that Prof. is covering a VERY important Disco act...CHIC had that Hot Chick in the Group wearing that Skirt with the split in it (11:20)....better than "Disco Duck" , lemmetellya! ...ha-HAA! ...keep FREAKIN' , Prof.! ; )
@@ProfessorofRock ...I was workin' like a maniac, but I caught the Duran Duran & your 1M Special posts, late......I always catch up on my Prof. classes!! ...ha-HAA!!
I saw Nile Rodgers open for Duran Duran in 2023. He and his band were amazing. He has been under the radar forever. Thanks Professor for putting this out.
I saw an interview with Nile Rodgers, talking about that evening. He said he saw Cher get denied entry, and his jaw just dropped. That's how crazy that place was.
I wish you would do an episode about the song “Kayleigh” by Marillion from 1985. I would love to hear about the history of this beautiful song, the woman (if any) who inspired the song, some history of the band, as well as your take on it. It’s one song I can listen to over and over and to me, has always sounded way ahead of its time.
Chic rules! "These are the good times!" 😊 (My Gen-Z friends just don't know... 😢) I still love their music! This Gen-X guy sure can't say that about many other disco groups! ❤
Huge style points to PofR for this inclusion of two recordings that aren’t exactly “rock”. Thanks for the gentle reminder that irrespective of genre, a great record is a great record.
Great Loverboy T-shirt, Adam. I saw Loverboy & The Hooters in 1986 at the Rockford Metro-Center and it was a great show. The Hooters were a good band & I’m surprised they only had that one big album.
I saw the F-bomb story on "Le Freak" on a website called Songfacts a few years ago, but I don't recall hearing the story behind "Good Times" before. However, I love both of these songs as well as the other songs Chic did and the many songs Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards produced for a whole host of singers. Now I understand why they have the line "Just come on down to the 54" in "Le Freak!"
Fantastic episode and story about Chic, the group that shaped so much music to come, totally original sound, the infectious groove like no other. I remember when rock stations were completely trying to attack the disco sound because they knew that the kids only had so much money to spend on music and they didn't want the competition for our bucks. I never liked this because they were telling us we couldn't like both styles of music, ridiculous in my mind because there are so many fantastic songs from the 70s and 80s that would be considered disco that my rocker friends woud never give a chance. I hope you cover more of the disco sound in the future, it's not taboo many of us were listening and gooving to it even if we didn't admit it. Maybe Rick James or The Hustle that has a very interesting story.
Brings back memories - a year after I graduated HS. Fun Fact: The first F-bomb in a song (and I think ever) dropped on TV was We Can Be Together by Jefferson Airplaine on Dick Cavaat in 1969 - before cable. Gracie Slick was and still is a Rock Goddess. Wish you could get an interview with her while we still have her on this plane.
In the song "Signs" by Five Man Vocal Band (I think) I've always heard "Signs, signs everywhere a sign "freaking" up the scenery, blowing my mind" I guess Cinderella or Poison heard the same thing because they covered the song using the "f" word.
@@istankimjong-unbutcantstan3398 You mean the Five Man Electrical Band! I played "Signs" on the radio a bunch of times. How about that Starland Electrical Band too, haha!
love both of those songs - they were hot when they came out and stayed hot - Good Times is still on the radio - Niles Rogers what a great musician, he also worked with Duran Duran on several songs
Chic created genuine crossover pieces oddly fitting both "Top 40" rock and disco of the time. I have to give credit where due. You are absolutely right in how far reaching their influence has been. BTW, those guys wore some fine suits. A lot like mine at the time. Maybe I shouldn't have admitted that. In-Joy.
Hi Professor Of Rock, excellent feature! I’m a Chic loving fellow, or freakellow, rock lover who already gave chances to those two great songs “Le Freak” (which became the biggest selling single in Atlantic Records history), “Good Times” and much more, as I love disco, too. As you replied to me yesterday about the bass, Bernard Edwards was a master. “Le Freak” was Chic’s fourth single, not third. After “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)” and “Everybody Dance” was the single “You Can Get By.” Next time you feature Loverboy, I suggest you wear a Chic shirt. Actually in the 70s and these days an F-bomb can make it on college radio if during FCC nighttime safe harbor hours. “Genres” is pronounced “zhawnruhs,” not “jawnruhs.” I see the cover of Debbie Harry’s “Rockbird” album in a clipping behind Rodgers and Edwards with their guitars. Norma Jean Wright made a super 1978 solo album. A 1991 top 40 hit singer wrote to me about enjoying a club that played songs like what she called “Aw Freak Out.” Guess the singer if you wish. Have a great weekend!
This was really a great episode. I was so glad to see the professor give a great disco band like Chic the recognition they deserve. Their music was so good and very influential. Nile Rodgers is a musical genius.
@@stephenhanft1226 Yes, I agree. It would be great to see a feature on underground disco here, too. Or on lesser known things about Nile Rodgers' career (Sheila, solo material, his other musical partners etc.)
@@istankimjong-unbutcantstan3398 "The Bitch Is Back" did get rejected by some radio stations. Not always because of the B-word but also because of the "high...glue" and "my god what's that" lyrics. I think Elton John's "Victim Of Love" is a great disco album.
Poll: What is your pick for the greatest dance floor scorcher? The one song you hear & have to hit the dance floor?
Staying Alive
Celebration, Kool and the Gang
Get Down Tonight, KC and the Sunshine Band 🌞
"What I Like About You" The Romantics
I'll nominate ... "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry.
Honorable mention: "Disco Duck" by Rick Dees.
Glenn Miller - In the Mood
I met Nile several years ago. I asked him for a selfie, he told me, yes, but to hang on a minute. He stepped away from me to talk to someone, and true to his word, he came back to me, shook my hand, and posed for a selfie. I have been told "wait a minute" by other celebrities who never came back. Nile is truly a respectful and soft-spoken gentleman!
Ya Chuck Berry said he’d autograph a record for me after the show. He invited some people on stage for the last song and after he walked backstage, I followed him, we were alone and I reminded him and he said no and walked away.
@@carlwalker1623 Those accounts are terrible. I remember getting my CD signed by Lisa Loeb and not getting snubbed.... although after she exited the stage we were told she had left. Several minutes after we had exited the venue, a young girl and her mother came out with a photo of the girl having a "selfie" with Mrs Loeb. All is fair in love and war.... it was sweet of the singer to do that and we didn't think she was snubbing us.
@@carlwalker1623 - Sadly, there are many stories of Chuck being an A-hole.
recently lost dickie betts after show maybe like 20 30 of us fans hung around the tour bus greg obviously not well went straight on dickir greeted everyone signed record one of mine cds poloraid photos few fans the church same steve kilby singed friends record they were graciuous guys also niles interview cbs guitar auction preview greetef fans for selfies took the time he gave away must have a million dollars to charity at the vintage guitar auction
That's awesome!
I was born in 1957,I was exposed to every kind of music from showtunes,symphonic, Sinatra, 60s ,70s rock and of course disco! Being a musician myself I embraced it all,I was a pretty good dancer too! I would go from rocking out to David Bowie,BTO,ELP ,to putting on my disco clothes and shoes and get up on that dance floor until 2 in the morning! Im crippled now by arthritis and COPD,but i still can listen and appreciate all that great music and reminisce about those "Good times"!😊😊😊
BTO? Turn that s**to off!
If you remember huffy bicycles with banana seats, high handlebars and metallic flake paint you're going to love this channel.
Love it.
Huffy's were what the rich kids had.❤🤣
You described my bike I had at 13 years old
@@dougpool4730 Yep! I didn't realize I was a rich kid until I was grown.
In 1967, my parents gave me a hot pink metal flake bike for Christmas with a flowery banana seat and large basket on front which also had flowers. I looked it up in a 1967 Sears catalogue and saw that they paid $65 for it. In today's money, that's $610!
I did love that bicycle. I'd ride with the neighborhood kids, we picked up soda bottles for return money (5 cents a bottle!). I could carry the most in my basket. We'd head for the Five and Dime up the street and hit the penny candy aisle and make out like bandits.
Those 👏🏼Were 👏🏼The 👏🏼 Good 👏🏼Times!👏🏼
Yeah, I know, I know, I'll say it for ya, "OK BOOMER!"😂😜😝
I still remember that the grips on the handlebars were sparkly too, and had a unique smell. Especially in Summer. I loved that smell, and remembered it when I read Doug Peter's description of those awesome bikes. I never forget a smell, good or bad! 😂😜
❤🎉
CHIC!
Nile Rodgers was a musical genius. He wrote or produced literally hundreds of songs. And to think that it started by being barred from Studio 54.
Thanks Professor!
Have a great weekend.
Was?! He is still with us
Nile is a genius; he lives. Bernard was a genius; he is deceased. Nile was already writing before he got turned away from Studio 54. "Le Freak" was on Chic's second album. But your positive Chic-ism is much appreciated! Have a great weekend! :-)
Still is
Hello sir!
Including ones by Duran Duran who we just talked about.
Le Freak: A staple of the roller skating rink during my youth! Just like Another One Bites the Dust.
So cool! Love it.
And Funkytown!
Rinks in the know would put on "Le Spank" by Le Pamplemousse and "Cocomotion" by El Coco at some point, too.
Oh God. My cousin and I loved Funky Town. My mom said it was dirty!😂
You and I were lacing up at about the same time.
Hats off to you sir! Once again you hit it out of the park!
YOU are the "Music Laureate" of the United States!!
Good job.
Wow, thank you!
Nile Rodgers is an absolute LEGEND!
Fun fact: Le Freak held the record for most times going in & out of #1. I'm sure that has since been broken, but Casey Kasem said that question was asked hundreds of times, so they had to answer it on the air. It hit #1 for 1 week... Then "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" returned to #1 for 1 week (it hit before Le Freak). Then it went back up for 2 more weeks. Then "Too Much Heaven" spent 2 weeks at #1. Then Le Freak went back up for 3 more weeks!!! Overall, here are the weeks it was #1:
12/9/78
12/23/78
12/30/78
1/20/79
1/27/79
2/3/79
Thanks Bill!
....leave it to Bill-Bill, to be Head Of The Class....I thought it was ME, dammit! ...ha-HAAA!! ...Thanks for the stats.....
In the digital era, anything can happen, but that was when they tallied sales and airplay, almost with their fingers 😁. RIP Casey 🙏
It was giving everybody a breather before getting them dancing again. See how nice Chic are?
That sounds more like how true statistics would result.
Chic's songs were so polished and classy. They truly had some of the best disco songs of the 70s.They should be in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame.
Disco got the last laugh. Almost every club you go to now got a disco ball. You put on Earth Wind & Fire or Chic, you'll see people coming out to dance even today. That's a W
Fo sure.
I agree; Philip Bailey actually wrote that "Boogie Wonderland" was the only disco song Earth, Wind & Fire ever did. But certainly it was not the only hit of theirs that has been played at discos.
@@bobdavis4848 FACTS
Nope--the last laugh was always on disco.
The "disco ball" was around in the 1890's. Go watch the 1942 classic film "Casablana". It was in the ballroom scene. Smdh
As a lifelong musician, my first love was rock music and Chic's reign was in my high school years when I loathed disco. Now I LOVE their guitar and bass work and honor it for its excellence.
People forget Bernard and Tony Thompson from Chic were part of the Powerstation. Tony was an actual member of the band and Bernard was involved in the studio with them. The drumming on the first power station record is excellent. Always loved Chic but then again I loved disco even though I wasn't old enough to go to the clubs.
Le Freak was my mother's favorite disco song. I'm our house, we were raised listening to a variety of music, although most of it was rock (sometimes pop, too). I can't tell you how many times Mom would crank that up on the stereo in the living room and she + all 3 of us kids would dance around like we were crazy.
I lost my Mom around the same time you lost your Dad, Adam, and your stories about him always reverberate in my mind to my memories of my Mom and I singing our lungs 🫁 out driving down the road in the car or singing & dancing in the living room. 🥲🥰😊
Awesome!
What a great story! I've never heard it. My husband loved Chic, and before he passed we got the chance to see them open for Earth, Wind & Fire. What a great show.
Awesome!
I read the account of how Le Freak came to be with them using the "F" word. Saying "freak off" would sound like they were still intending to use the "f" word and some may still have felt uncomfortable playing it. "Freak Out" was a good choice. Now an X-Rated version on the B-side would have been interesting as some songs had for their explicit versions.
I wish I saw EWF live!
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I saw them live in 1981 and they were awesome!
No matter the genre that ppl followed...... they knew these songs!!!!
No question!
Everyone knew these 2, for sure.
Disco's revenge........ A hard Alternative-Rock station KBI sponsored a Disco show here in Denver in the 90s.....
Nile Rodgers opened for Duran2 in concert Sept 2023 at the Boston Garden. So crowded, I hadn't even found my balcony cheap seat yet, but I rushed to see them on stage. No better band to get the crowd going and up on our feet dancing. Thanks for featuring Le Chic; I'd no idea how many other artists and songs they influenced, but ofc, I hear them everywhere. Regardless of how anyone feels about it, the cultural impact of Disco cannot be denied, and Nile is a musical genius.☮️
Same. I saw them several years ago at the Xcel Center in MN opening for Duran Duran. They did a full set and it was great.
That wasn't surprising at all considering he's basically been a part of Duran Duran since they met back in the early 80s. They've been mutual fans and collaborators ever since. True music knows no genre it just makes people feel something. It just wasn't as popularized at the time and went unnoticed by many.
@@woodsrdr I didn't say it was "surprising".
I'm a diehard hard rock/metal fan and musician, but I grew up in the 70's, so I love disco and 70's pop and soft rock
Oh, I remember the late 70s. "Death before Disco" was a mantra in my northern Nevada home. Recently I was having a music conversation with another fellow, and when he asked do you like ABBA? I answered hell yes. One of my favorites. Then I thought about how much I like Donna Summer, and much of the Bee Gees, etc. I guess I have always been a disco fan, along with rock/metal/pop/folk....... Great time to be alive back then.
😂 I remember my mom dancing while cleaning house while playing Good Times & Freak. This channel always brings back memories of my late mom.
So cool! The memories that come from each song! So happy to hear!
I was a child in the 60s, so my mom vacuumed to James Brown, "WOW! I Feel Good!"
@LazyIRanch 😅 we had some of that too. She loved all kinds of music, so did my dad. 50s, 60s, 70s & 80s. We always had the radio or stereo playing.
@@lisapop5219 Wasn't it great living in a home where music was always playing? My mom had one of those big console Magnavox stereos, she'd put on a big stack of records to play during the day. We all loved comedy too, so many evenings instead of TV we'd listen to Dad's collection of comic albums, such as Phil Silvers, Bob Newhart, Flip Wilson (my favorite), Jonathan Winters, Phyllis Diller, and lots of Bill Cosby back before we found out what a creep he was. He was funny!
My mom does that too!
What a great watch! I was never into disco but I loved both those songs. I always enjoy watching your show!
Glad you enjoyed it
Loved today's show! We had a drill team routine to Freak Out that I can still do because it was such a great song. I had no idea the origin story with f-bomb! Great memories 💃🏻✨️
That opening..."ahhh freak out!" was so iconic. It draws you in and leaves you hooked! I was 11 years old.
For sure!
It’s hooked me in!
Another GREAT video, Professor! I always loved the DHM (Deep Hidden Meaning) and other trivia surrounding all of our favorite songs!
Moral of the story: Music labels don't have a clue what good music is.
So true.
100%. How many stories has Adam told about artists being rejected and caught a break at some point and made it big. I'd love to hear what labels execs thought of their f*ckups. That'd be hilarious.
Marty Balin of Jefferson Airplane once said that record executives - "suits" - would be better off selling refrigerators than music!
Every once in a while however.....................
@@splenderella9 We got to move these refrigerators. We got to move these color TVeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
"Good Times" will always be a jam. I knew that the beat sounded familiar, but couldn't place it until I heard "Rapper's Delight" for the first time.
THat's right! Thanks Trina!
And that started a slew of samples.
I'm 60 and remember dancing to these songs constantly. :-D
And don't ever stop dancing! These songs still sound as good as they did in 77/78.😎👍
My older brother is going to be 60 at the end of the year, and I remember him coming home from middle school dances singing Chic and teaching my little brother and me The Hustle.
Nile Rodgers is the black Jeff Lynne; an absolute musical genius and an excellent producer.
For sure!
I love that!
Jeff Lynne is the white Nile Rodgers.
If you want to check out a great bass player. Listen to Mark King, who plays with Level 42.
@@163andyc King is an awesome bass player. Some of my favorite bass lines of his include Level 42 songs like Mr Pink and Weave Your Spell.
You hit me in the feels with that GI Joe aircraft carrier reference. My best friend in middle school had it and it took up the entire corner of his family room. Cool as it was and big as it was, it seemed like a bit of a space hog. Imagine not being allowed into a party where you can hear your music playing on the dance floor behind the door man blocking your entry? Great stories always-- thanks again, Professor!
Imagine being invited to a house party, and you have no room to dance - because the USS Flagg is taking up so much space on the floor.
Thank you for presenting this! As a lover of almost all music, I am so glad you look at all genres. Each inspires and influences the others. And I love Nile Rodgers. I loved it when he joined The Honey Drippers and collaborated with David Bowie and so many others. Thank you Professor!
Chic was awesome in 1979 to 1980 - cool memories those 2 hits ! Good Times especially - the last year of the disco craze
Good times helped make 1979 a great year. I looked forward to listening to the year end countdowns every year back then and I still remember the excitement I felt listening that year.
*Nile Rodgers, Bernard Edwards* and *Tony Thompson* were ALL OVER the radio from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s. One or more of these members of *Chic* produced and/or played on hit singles like _We Are Family_ (Sister Sledge), _I'm Coming Out_ (Diana Ross), _Let's Dance_ (David Bowie), _Like a Virgin, Material Girl, Angel,_ and _Dress You Up_ (Madonna), _Wild Boys_ (Duran Duran), and numerous others. Remember those unforgettable iconic drums on _Some Like it Hot_ (Powerstation)? That supergroup was made up of *Robert Palmer, John Taylor, Andy Taylor* ...and drummer, *Tony Thompson.* Rodgers also produced the remix of _The Reflex_ (Duran Duran), which is the audio on the official music video and is the signature version of that song.
@@theycallmemcgyver Bet it was awesome. Cheers 👍🏿
I had a nightmare last night that disco was making a comeback
At first I was afraid
I was petrified 😂
😂😂😂😂
All the funk from the 70's propelled every genre of music since that time. After the early 70's, rock music wasn't always featured. Nile Rodgers and others picked up the baton and ran away with it. I'm probably a metal head, headbanger, but, look thru my playlist, you'll find as much 70's funk as you will any other kind of music. Great show today
Those girls were with loads of sass and I have lots of great memories playing their songs in my car cassettes cruising down the highway ❤ Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for the memories ❤
Thanks for sharing!
I had no idea that their music has been such a pervasive influence. Well done, Professor.
Thanks!
I used to be a disco hater. 56 years old this year, i was into what was then classic rock. Pink floyd, zeppelin, the doors...i laughed at abba, bee gees, mj, and even lighter rock. Man was I wrong.
Your not the only one.
😂 I'm a metal head who actually likes a lot of Disco. When it's good it's great but there really are some horrible disco songs Lol
@@ponzo1967There are some really horrible metal songs too. 😂
@@DavidStoops-ml8ib I remember being an Alternative hater all through the 1990s.... It would grow on me by 1999. Party over oops out of time.
@@ponzo1967 I knew someone who liked Metal and Disco. That was different for sure. All genre's are guilty of having clunkers. Some complain that #9 by the Beatles is horrible.... I actually like it.... I liked a lot of Britney stuff during her early days but cringed with a song called "Do Something". Even Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together Again" no Queen's "Fat Bottomed Girls" were THAT bad... and those songs grew on me..... Actually I started liking Fat Bottomed Girls over all the hate Queen got from those nauseatingly self-righteous, self-appointed "saviors" who caused the "Satanic Panic" hoax.
I was in basic training for the Air Force when all of this started coming out.
Being a long time, rock and roll guitar player…I didn’t like it at first, but later on I realized that NILES is THE MAN.
In terms of originality and quality rhythm guitar…he’s right up there with Malcom Young in his own right.
Fantastic stuff!
Guitar player in Georgia.
I was a rocker back in those days and still am today but I was a secret disco listener back then, I just wouldn't let myself be caught listening to disco when around my rock buddies.
Thanks for commenting!
Glad you finally came out of the Disco Closet!😎😁
Those 2 songs were so much fun to dance to. The disco floor was instantly filled to capacity when they were played. I went past the old disco building when I was last in San Antonio a couple of years ago. Its now a pawn shop. A lot of good memories.
Gotta admit I was more on the "disco sucks" side, but this video opened my eyes. I have some listening to do. Thanks, Professor!
Hey Professor. I always thought of them as just disco tunes and didn't realize how much they influenced the rock music I loved. Thanks for straightening me out on that!
Heard this song my first year at college. Went to work at Spencer's Gifts and every time we workers there would start just dancing. Good times!
Awesome! great memories!
I like the "Good Times" reference there...
Good times indeed.
Two phenomenal musician/producers who supplied the groove, the inspiration and/or the production for everyone from Madonna to David Bowie and from Daft Punk to the entire hip hop culture. Thanks for giving us a glimpse into their musical history and genius. Also, keep up the great work, your show is killer
I roller skated hard to Freak Out. That was favorite song when it came out. Knock on wood by Amii Stewart too.
Very cool!
I love Knock on Wood!
Me too! I loved to roller skate usually twice a week. I was working as an RN, day shift at the time. Halloween, we were encouraged to come to the rink in costume. Because I was going after work, no time to go home, I went in my uniform. Wouldn’t you know I won a prize for my “ costume “? It was such a release to get on the floor and skate after a hectic shift. I still want to get up and move when I hear the music. Those were some of the best days of my life.
No need to apologize or preface. These were talented musicians who could read and write the music they composed. It was unfortunate that some genres of music that was danceable got unfortunately characterized as "disco". One massive ripoff you missed was the 80's smash "Bounce, Rock, Skate Roll" by Vaughn Mason. It came back a few years ago when the movie Roll, Bounce came out. I saw Chic in Atlanta in the 80's. They had everyone laughing when they played Rappers Delight and Roll Bounce as an interlude to Good Times. Great video, Adam.
Nile and Bernard went on to produce rock acts including David Bowie, Duran Duran, Madonna, Diana Ross, INXS, and many others.
Yes they did!
You can hear their sound in those works but they also produced "Dynamite" by Rod Stewart which DOESN'T sound like them. I mistook it for an earlier 70s tune because it was a B-side for "Crazy For Her" from 1987.
Different genres of music.Such talent and adaptability to accomplish that.👍
Yup.
I'll add to the story. About 10 years ago I attended a Disco event that included a few panel discussions. One of those discussions included the Atlantic Records promo guy in charge of "Good Times" promotions and the record label person who made the decision to use Good Times as the backing track. It was a tense discussion and emotions were expressed.
The Sugarhill rep stated the vocals were done and they listened to a few tracks before settling on Good Times.
Today Niles sings the Surgarhill's rap when he performs Good Times!!
The event was by Legends Of Vinyl in a club in lower Manhattan.
I like to think we become less Dogmatic as we age, that for me holds true as I was strictly a Rock and metal guy growing up in the 70's and 80's.. I appreciate Funk music more and more as I'm now in my 50's..
You always have a great attitude about any genre. It’s admirable.
Nile Rodgers is a LEGEND!!! ❤
As one who was on the rock side disco was awesome too. Thanks for the behind the scenes. Chic was awesome disco was every bit as deep as rock.I’m glad I enjoyed both scenes. For me the 60’s and 70’s well let me just say you had to be there to understand it. Man was I lucky.
It was pretty awesome seeing Nile Rogers perform with Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams and Stevie Wonder at the Grammys
I love, love, love, both these songs. They bring back so many good memories from my teenage years. ❤
Wanted to pop in Adam, to tell you how much I thoroughly enjoyed your vid, from a couple of days back, about your history. You know, I always refer to myself as a walking encyclopedia of useless musical trivia, but after watching that I came to realize that you are the King of musical trivia. The only thing I have over you is I started many years earlier hearing Elvis, The Everly Bros and Bobby Darin in the late 50s, early 60s and picked up whatever info I could learn about them. Amazing how much we managed to learn before the intertubes came along, eh? Anyway, surprisingly I have even MORE respect for you and what you do. I was pleasantly surprised to see your wife in the vid. She clearly admires your dedication to music, beyond your love relationship. Reminded me of how Valerie spoke about Eddie VH. A wife AND a fan.
Anyway, that's it. Enjoy your weekend. - your friend and fan, Jstn.
Ah Thanks so much! Means a lot!
Well said, I managed to pop into this world two weeks "before the music died", and cherish more and more being alive still to experience all forms of musical expression.
@@ProfessorofRock Por nada. If you ever come to L.A. by all means let me know. We have to get together. I'm putting it on my bucket list.
Both your comments today are the best overall. Well said on both. Have a great one!
@@rabby-u Buddy Holly, Big Bopper and the third guy I don't remember?
Le Freak has had a positive influence in my mood during hour long commutes, for sure. Good show!
Bernard Edward's was 1 hell of a bassist. I was a HUGE fan of Chic back then and Edwards bass lines were lifted by so many rappers.
No question!
In both these songs the bassline is legendary.
I knew about Nile Rodgers and his ridiculous talent but I didn't know his collaborating partner, Bernard Edwards! You taught me something new which is a definite part of the appeal of your videos! And, you give proper credit where credit is due, as it should be. Thanks and I look forward to more learning while also being entertained.
Very cool!
Our entire 5th grade dance musical line-up was centered around those two awesome songs. That bass of 110 bpm is found EVERYWHERE due to Edwards in Good Times. One of those beats that will be remembered like the first few notes of Fur Elise & I'm not being hyperbolic lol.
So cool!d
Haha no kidding!
Great songs exist in all musical genres…and disco certainly spit out many wonderful songs. The fact that Chic made so amazing dance songs with actual instruments rather than being synthesizer or track heavy is a testament to their true artistry and skill…
I remember you couldn't walk anywhere in Brooklyn without hearing Good Times in some form or fashion that baseline was addictive
Reminds me of another base heavy hit around that time called “Get Down, Boogie, woogie, woogie”! Used to love That song too!
@@eleanormassaro5195 Boogie Oogie Oogie by A Taste Of Honey was huge also great song
Chic are awesome Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards just phenomenal musicians
Dude, I may be 100% rock and roll, but I absolutely loved Chic when I was in middle school, especially these two songs!
Good Times, also featured in, North Dallas Forty. That was a fun walk back. Thanks Adam.
I used to think that they were singing "Freak Out! The Freak, said she", for some reason. It's all I hear, even to this very day.
🤣😂✌🏼
My niece is only 7 years younger than me, and she learned French in high school. she's the one who corrected me and told me it's "c'est chic". Now she's lead singer in a German rock band where she moved in 1999. She's fluent in English, French and German and can navigate through Italy and Spain okay. I don't know how someone that smart came from my family of dolts!
me 2
I can hear that!
@@LazyIRanch Thanks for sharing!
Great video as always. I always felt that the anti-disco backlash took out some deserving acts that weren't as good.. But Chic was always a cut above. They created their own music sound. Nile and Bernard are musical geniuses.
Me: DISCO SUCKS Rock and Roll forever!
Chic comes on the radio.
Friend: Are you diggin' this disco crap?
Me: No man just got a nervous twitch. Disco Sucks!
2 weeks later
Friend: What's this Chic album doing in your album collection?
Me: That's not mine man. It's my sister's album.
Friend: You ain't got a sister you idiot!
Ha ha ha! Best comment ever!
@@ProfessorofRockI had a little sister and she borrowed Saturday Night Fever and wanted me to listen to it and give her my opinion. She was 12 and into disco. I was 15 and just heard the first 3 minutes of Tales From Topographic Oceans which became the finest music I ever heard. I listened to that whole 2 record set, then told her "If I Can't Have You by Yvonne Elliman is the only great song on this album." She cried.
@@charleswagner2984oh, man, but what about “Disco Inferno”? Another song that would draw everyone out on the dance floor!
@@eleanormassaro5195 Nah. But there is a couple good songs on SNF. Don't Throw It All Away is one of them, although Andy Gibb does it better than his brothers. And other than Yvonne's great song, I can't remember if there was anything else good on that soundtrack.
Great episode Professor! These songs take me back to,"Good Times"! High school days!👍
Thanks for listening
No argument here. As a rock guy growing up in the 70s, there was no denying that there was some awesome disco music out there. You wouldn't admit it to your rocker buddies. Even rock artists couldn't resist the charms of disco music, incorporating it into their own music. Which resulted in some of their biggest hits. Would there be a "Heart of Glass or Miss You", without the influence of disco? No. Disco never died, it just got absorbed into other popular music. And, it's all thanks to artists like Chic, who contributed mightily to the musical landscape.
Actually, it was Blondie's label that wanted them to remake "Heart of Glass" as "That Disco Song"......
Yes, for sure!
Growing up in Flint Michigan in the 70's WTAC, an AM station would play everything from the Stones,Aerosmith, and David Bowie to the Chi lites, ABBA, Rose Royce and KC and the Sunshine Band and Parliament. My sister had a few Chic 45's and we wore the grooves off them 😊
ours the same local am radio
“Freak Out” was one of the first 45s I bought as a kid.
I noticed "Le Freak" was in parenthesis on the image of the 45. Thus a "parenthesis" song. I don't remember the 45 we had having it like that, however.
Love Chic."Le Freak" is my favorite song from them (Love "Good Times", too). I was a kid during the disco era and loved it. A major disco fan. Disco is my all-time favorite musical genre. It was so exciting and so much fun. At the age of 13, I wore a Saturday Night Fever t-shirt and had a Bee Gees poster on my bedroom wall. Both Chic and KC & The Sunshine Band were favorite disco groups of mine just behind the Bee Gees. Anyway, I am so glad you covered Chic. Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards were musical geniuses and gave us great music. I'd love to see you get an interview with Nile Rodgers.
A great comment, Stephen; I was buying whatever I could find of Chic and KC & the Sunshine Band, too, also the Village People and other Casablanca disco artists. "Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)" by Chic was my first 12 inch single.
P.S.: Have you heard Chic's work on "Spacer" by Sheila and B. Devotion"? I think this show was great except for saying "Le Freak" was Chic's 3rd instead of 4th single, and a bit much on the "feud" angle.
If you liked to watch Quisp and Quake fight over your cereal bowl, you’re gonna dig this channel
If you threw the box of Quisp in the trash when you found that the glow-in-the-dark mobile was not inside, you're gonna dig this channel.
Love these songs, your piece was terrific. I did notice you mentioned Nile and Bernard being icons, but I would argue Tony Thompson is an icon as well, and hugely overlooked.... including by you.
For sure! I decided to focus this ep on the two.
The thing that bugs me the most is that when people list the most innovative or influential guitarists, Nile Rodgers is conspicuously missing. What a bunch of BS. Nile should be in the top 10 influential guitarists ever!
Absolutely!
I completely and totally agree.
One of the most important bands of the 70s, possibly ever. You could do an entire series of videos based on songs based on/heavily influenced by Rodgers & Edwards. An entire separate channel even! :)
Yowsa Yowsa Yowsa
I wanna boogie witchoo
That part of the title was in parenthesis.....
The first time I ever became aware of the distinctive sound of Nile Rogers on guitar was in Freak Out and Good Times. Good Times is my favorite because that riff us just so infectious 😊 Ive since come to recognize his playing the same as one recognizes Eddie Van Halen or David Gilmore. Its just so signature ☺❤.
***PROF. ES TELLEMENT MANIFIQUE PARCE QUE EST DISCO, LE CHIC!: PROF, GOES TO THE DISCO & GETS DOWN w/ A LEGENDARY BAND THAT CHANGED DANCE...AND, ROCK...*** ...Of course, Prof. goes "Disco", and I'm having Computer problems! ...ha-HAAA! ...well, since I can't boogie down anymore (while People are watching), I can give the CHIC-EST of Pop charts...( cont.)
*LE FREAK:* (Dec. 1978) :
10. Don't Throw It All Away - Andy Gibb
9. Sharing The Night Together - Dr. Hook
8. My Life - Billy Joel
7. Time Passages - Al Stewart
6. I Love The Nightlife (Disco 'Round) - Alicia Bridges
5. How Much I Feel - Ambrosia
4. I Just Wanna Stop - Gino Vannelli
3. You Don't Bring Me Flowers - Babs & *DIAMOND*
2. Mac Arthur Park - Donna Summer
1. ***Le Freak*** - CHIC (1st week of 5 weeks) (..hit #1 R&B & Disco, too....)
*GOOD TIMES* (Aug. 1979) :
10. Mama Can't Buy You Love - Elton John
9. You Can't Change That - Raydio
8. The Devil Went Down To Georgia - Charlie Daniels Band
7. When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman - Dr. Hook
6. Ring My Bell - Anita Ward
5. After The Love Has Gone - Earth Wind & Fire
4. Bad Girls - Donna Summer
3. The Main Event- Babs
2. My Sharona - The Knack
1. ***Good Times*** - -CHIC (1 week)
.....I'm loving that Prof. is covering a VERY important Disco act...CHIC had that Hot Chick in the Group wearing that Skirt with the split in it (11:20)....better than "Disco Duck" , lemmetellya! ...ha-HAA! ...keep FREAKIN' , Prof.! ; )
Thanks RBS! I was worried about you! Missed your posts!
@@ProfessorofRock ...I was workin' like a maniac, but I caught the Duran Duran & your 1M Special posts, late......I always catch up on my Prof. classes!! ...ha-HAA!!
Good French there lol!
I saw Nile Rodgers open for Duran Duran in 2023. He and his band were amazing. He has been under the radar forever. Thanks Professor for putting this out.
Back in the Saddle Again Naturally 😊
Plus this time you're smiling about it; have a great weekend, constipated!
@@shiroibasketshoes Back at you Player!
@@constipatedinsincity4424 Buddy came back...(wlla walla wa-wa)... a Le Freakin' fool could see...
I saw an interview with Nile Rodgers, talking about that evening. He said he saw Cher get denied entry, and his jaw just dropped. That's how crazy that place was.
I wish you would do an episode about the song “Kayleigh” by Marillion from 1985. I would love to hear about the history of this beautiful song, the woman (if any) who inspired the song, some history of the band, as well as your take on it. It’s one song I can listen to over and over and to me, has always sounded way ahead of its time.
I saw them live a few years ago. They are great and I really enjoyed listening to them.
Nice! I learned the bass part to "Good Times" a while ago; it is indeed iconic. Those guys made disco funky.
Chic rules! "These are the good times!" 😊
(My Gen-Z friends just don't know... 😢)
I still love their music! This Gen-X guy sure can't say that about many other disco groups! ❤
Thanks Adam, you made my day, when I saw you had a copy of The Go Gos Album behind you.......
Huge style points to PofR for this inclusion of two recordings that aren’t exactly “rock”. Thanks for the gentle reminder that irrespective of genre, a great record is a great record.
Just a great song, that no matter how old you are, or where your, makes you happy and ready to dance!😊
Great Loverboy T-shirt, Adam.
I saw Loverboy & The Hooters in 1986 at the Rockford Metro-Center and it was a great show.
The Hooters were a good band & I’m surprised they only had that one big album.
Very cool!
I saw the F-bomb story on "Le Freak" on a website called Songfacts a few years ago, but I don't recall hearing the story behind "Good Times" before. However, I love both of these songs as well as the other songs Chic did and the many songs Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards produced for a whole host of singers. Now I understand why they have the line "Just come on down to the 54" in "Le Freak!"
Fantastic episode and story about Chic, the group that shaped so much music to come, totally original sound, the infectious groove like no other. I remember when rock stations were completely trying to attack the disco sound because they knew that the kids only had so much money to spend on music and they didn't want the competition for our bucks. I never liked this because they were telling us we couldn't like both styles of music, ridiculous in my mind because there are so many fantastic songs from the 70s and 80s that would be considered disco that my rocker friends woud never give a chance. I hope you cover more of the disco sound in the future, it's not taboo many of us were listening and gooving to it even if we didn't admit it. Maybe Rick James or The Hustle that has a very interesting story.
What was up with that? They need to just chill and play their own music.
Yes it was bad how stations would try to pit rockers against disco fans and bash disco...I never heard a disco song bash rock; some praised it.
I remember watching Chic with my wife in 1979 in a small venue. It was great. I went to a HBCU so the dance "The Freak" was our staple. Great album.
A brilliant band. Love from the UK.
600 pairs of glasses for under 20bucks , now that’s a good deal .
Thanks for another great Vid Professor.⭐️🥁🙏🏼
Brings back memories - a year after I graduated HS. Fun Fact: The first F-bomb in a song (and I think ever) dropped on TV was We Can Be Together by Jefferson Airplaine on Dick Cavaat in 1969 - before cable. Gracie Slick was and still is a Rock Goddess. Wish you could get an interview with her while we still have her on this plane.
In the song "Signs" by Five Man Vocal Band (I think) I've always heard "Signs, signs everywhere a sign "freaking" up the scenery, blowing my mind" I guess Cinderella or Poison heard the same thing because they covered the song using the "f" word.
@@istankimjong-unbutcantstan3398 You mean the Five Man Electrical Band! I played "Signs" on the radio a bunch of times. How about that Starland Electrical Band too, haha!
love both of those songs - they were hot when they came out and stayed hot - Good Times is still on the radio - Niles Rogers what a great musician, he also worked with Duran Duran on several songs
Chic created genuine crossover pieces oddly fitting both "Top 40" rock and disco of the time. I have to give credit where due. You are absolutely right in how far reaching their influence has been. BTW, those guys wore some fine suits. A lot like mine at the time. Maybe I shouldn't have admitted that. In-Joy.
Hi Professor Of Rock, excellent feature! I’m a Chic loving fellow, or freakellow, rock lover who already gave chances to those two great songs “Le Freak” (which became the biggest selling single in Atlantic Records history), “Good Times” and much more, as I love disco, too. As you replied to me yesterday about the bass, Bernard Edwards was a master. “Le Freak” was Chic’s fourth single, not third. After “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)” and “Everybody Dance” was the single “You Can Get By.” Next time you feature Loverboy, I suggest you wear a Chic shirt. Actually in the 70s and these days an F-bomb can make it on college radio if during FCC nighttime safe harbor hours. “Genres” is pronounced “zhawnruhs,” not “jawnruhs.” I see the cover of Debbie Harry’s “Rockbird” album in a clipping behind Rodgers and Edwards with their guitars. Norma Jean Wright made a super 1978 solo album. A 1991 top 40 hit singer wrote to me about enjoying a club that played songs like what she called “Aw Freak Out.” Guess the singer if you wish. Have a great weekend!
Very cool!
This was really a great episode. I was so glad to see the professor give a great disco band like Chic the recognition they deserve. Their music was so good and very influential. Nile Rodgers is a musical genius.
I still have to wonder how Elton John's "Bitch is Back" didn't get bleeped or banned.
@@stephenhanft1226 Yes, I agree. It would be great to see a feature on underground disco here, too. Or on lesser known things about Nile Rodgers' career (Sheila, solo material, his other musical partners etc.)
@@istankimjong-unbutcantstan3398 "The Bitch Is Back" did get rejected by some radio stations. Not always because of the B-word but also because of the "high...glue" and "my god what's that" lyrics. I think Elton John's "Victim Of Love" is a great disco album.