In this Series of Posts, I will Writing about the Artist's who are in My "Who's the Greatest Funk Bass Player" Poll.
The Poll is over to the Right of the Blog, it has been Running for a Few Week's, so if You haven't already Voted, Please do so!
In these Post's, I will write a few Facts, Figures, Stats and Interesting Stuff on the Artist in Question, I will also include a Playlist of their Greatest Songs.
I will Write a Post on Each Artist, One Every Other Week!
ARTIST NUMBER 7..............BERNARD EDWARDS
Bernard Edwards was Born on the 18th of April 1952, in Greenville, North Carolina USA, but Moved to Brooklyn NYC at an Early Age.
He met Nile Rodgers in the Early 1970's, they were Both Session Musicians around the New York Area, they Later Formed a Band Together in 1972 and were named "The Boys" and Later to become the "Big Apple Band" Despite Playing Gigs and Making Demo's, they were Never to be Signed to Any Label, the Band Lasted until 1976!
Then in 1976 they Added 2 New Members to the Band, Tony Thompson on Drums and Norma Jean Wright on Vocals and Changed their Name to "Chic"
By 1977 they were Signed to "Atlantic Records" and Chic's First "Self Titled" Album was Released that same Year in 1977, it Reached Number 27 on the US Pop Chart and Number 12 on the US R&B Chart.
The First Single off the Album was also "Chic's" First Hit Record, Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah
it Reached Number 6 on both US Pop and R&B Charts!
Their next Hit Single from the Album was "Everybody Dance" but it did not Chart as well as their Debut Single.
The Track also Had Luther Vandross on Backing Vocals.
It was not until their Second Album in 1978 "C'est Chic" that Chic got their First Number One Single, on Both US Pop and R&B Charts, that was "Le Freak" incidentally this was to be Chic's Best Selling Album of All Time!
Chic had 2 Number One Singles in their Career, "Le Freak and "Good Times"
By 1983 Chic were to Split Up, Both Edwards and Rodgers were to say the Split was Down to "Personal and Artistic Reasons"
In 1985 "Bernard Edwards" was to Release his only Solo Album entitled "Glad to be Here" it was Not a Big Hit!
That same Year if 1985 he was to Record and Produce an Album with the Band called "Power Station" it Featured "Tony Thompson" from Chic and 2 Members from Duran Duran and Robert Palmer.
He went on to Work with Numerous different Acts from the Recording World, i.e Robert Palmer, Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Duran Duran, ABC and Adam Ant.
He also Produced Records for Various Artists including: Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce and Busta Rhymes.
In the Early 1990's "Chic" were Briefly to Reform and later in 1992 Release their Last Ever Album "Chic-ism"
In 1996 "Bernard Edwards" was named "JT Super Producer of the Year" in Japan, and he and Chic were Invited to Play a Gig in Japan, a Live Album was Later Released of the Live Concert, it was called "Live at the Budokan"
Bernard Edwards was taken Unwell the Night before the Concert, but Insisted in going on with the Gig, he had to be Physically Helped During the Show and to actually Finish it, but that Night in his Hotel Room, he was to "Pass Away" in his Sleep!
In 2005, Bernard Edwards was Honored Posthumously for his Outstanding Achievements as a Producer and was Inducted into the "Dance Music Hall of Fame"
Chic's Discography: 11 Albums and 24 Singles
CHIC'S GREATEST HITS
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