Funky musician Nile Rodgers has been secured by Beeb bosses to help them usher in the new year in style. The American pop star will join his legendary disco band Chic as they perform a special live set to get viewers dancing their way into 2018.
Major coup for the BBC
Representing a major coup for BBC bosses, a clearly delighted and excited executive producer Guy Foreman explained that thanks to their set list of disco party classics, he expected that “living rooms up and down the land will be boogieing along until the wee small hours!”
Rodgers was equally enthusiastic at the prospect, as he reflected on an incredible year in the UK for the band “from playing to 200,000 plus people at Glastonbury to our recent sold-out arena shows in London and Liverpool.”
He has further cause to look forward to 2018, as Chic celebrate over 40 years in the business and with it intends to release their first new material in many years and a new album.
Elder statesman in the music industry
Nile Gregory Rodgers, Jr may have reached the grand age of 65, yet the leading record producer and songwriter seems to have plenty of fuel left in his tank yet. Famed for his successful collaborations with a plethora of modern-day music celebrities, including the likes of Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams on the massive hit “Get Lucky”, he also released three solo albums during the 1980s and 1990s.
Madonna has much to thank him for as well, having utilised his expert production skills on her signature tunes “Like A Virgin” and “Material Girl”. David Bowie was similarly impressed as his 1980s re-invention included Rodgers’ production of the classic “Let’s Dance”, a chart-topper around the world and one of Bowie’s biggest hits during a long career.
Chic’s chart success
However, for many music fans, he will forever be associated with the band Chic, having co-founded the disco stars with bassist Bernard Edwards in the mid-1970s. Commercial success followed with a string of dancefloor fillers including the unforgettable tracks “Everybody Dance”, “Le Freak” and “Good Times”.
Famed for his distinctive “chucking” style of playing the rhythm guitar, Rodgers’ talent and contribution to the music industry was rewarded earlier this year when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Tickets went on sale today for the New Year’s Eve set which will be in London on Sunday, December 31st and will be aired live on BBC One.
