Nile Rodgers Tells the Story of David Bowie's "Let's Dance"

Рет қаралды 920,808

Lyndsey Parker

9 жыл бұрын

Live onstage at the Village Recording Studios during 2015 Grammy Week

Пікірлер: 734

@steve_anderson 2 жыл бұрын

Rodgers has always been so underrated except to a few who knew his talents. He's just a friggin' genius.

@christianlarson4201 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, the guy known throughout the music industry as the Hitmaker is definitely not getting the recognition he deserves.

@mattmorris2867 2 жыл бұрын

What a load of old tosh. Underrated my arse.

@jipangoo Жыл бұрын

He's a producer.

@sommelierramon Жыл бұрын

Underrated ? For you ? sleep further. Steve , under your stone. 😝😝😝😝😝

@16Sirens Жыл бұрын

Love Nile's humor undertone he had with Bowie...... such a life changing meeting, to create a lifestyle changing SONG🎵 ....❤❤

@thomasnelson5758 2 жыл бұрын

Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards = unrecognized architects of 80s pop. Madonna, Duran Duran, Diana Ross, Robert Palmer, INXS, David Bowie, the list is endless.

@theWARMJET Жыл бұрын

fact. it sounds almost like the disco kings revenge from the 70s motto disco suxxs

@MarkWilson-vk1kn 2 жыл бұрын

So many hits for so many artists! Nile is the hidden talent behind so many....

@wisdomseeker3362 2 жыл бұрын

I have considered myself somewhat knowledgeable about musicians and artists, but I don't know how Nile Rogers slipped by and me not knowing that he wrote a lot of songs for _other_ artists. Thank you Mark for sharing your knowledge ❗

@SALESPRODUCTIONS Жыл бұрын

99.9% of people would have no idea if they saw this guy on the street that he brought us SO many hits songs of the 80's and 90's. Too many to list really.

@williamdrijver4141 2 жыл бұрын

Just like David Bowie and Stevie Ray, Nile is an absolute genius. Fantastic to hear him explain how that classic track came to be!

@JimmySlacksack 7 жыл бұрын

without Nile Rodgers so many songs just wouldnt have been the same.

@artheriford 7 жыл бұрын

I know right? I wish I was as cool as Nile Rodgers........

@FunkadelicFlea 5 жыл бұрын

Don't forget Bernard Edwards!

@jcavazos4145 5 жыл бұрын

Slack. Can you imagine ! Niles Rodgers on rythm and SRV in lead.

@waynemichaels3441 5 жыл бұрын

Without Niles songs wouldn't exist

@Gerard_2024 4 жыл бұрын

@Slack...Totally hit the nail on the head. He totally rewrote the fucken song and made it a hit. There is no comparison between what Bowie played and Rodgers version.

@jag1870 2 жыл бұрын

NR plays rhythm like no one else. Le Freak riff is hands down one of the best ever.

@OrestisTrips 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, this was almost as nice as listening to this emblematic song itself. He's a natural story teller.

@cattuslavandula 2 жыл бұрын

Nile Rogers is such an interesting person. I love listening him talk about his creative processes.

@charlesanzalone5846 2 жыл бұрын

With pretty simple cords his signature sound , he is one of the great producers of our time

@violinmiata 2 жыл бұрын

Nile Rodgers is a national asset and a loving human. It’s so cool and amazing how he embraces the weird and finds beauty

@marimbadearco 3 жыл бұрын

2:24 is when the song became something worth checking out. Bowie shoulda called Nile into the spotlight to play what is really HIS song. What a master musician!

@Bob-of-Zoid 2 жыл бұрын

It's great to hear a famous person in any field, give credit to the less and unknown people often doing the hardest tasks behind the scenes, like the engineer on Let's Dance, who are essential in making shit happen. Nile Rogers tops it off by giving thanks to all that payed enough attention to realize his talent, utilize it, and give him the opportunity to solidify his place on the map. They made a very wise choice.

@Alex-rj6sv 2 жыл бұрын

I could listen to all his stories. He basically helped shape our music culture. ✌

@bronzemen34 2 жыл бұрын

Still one of the coolest songs on this planet…period

@michaeltamul500 2 жыл бұрын

His impression of Bowie’s original version reminds me of “Heroes”. His 2nd verion reminds me of Maxine Nightingale’s dance hit “Right Back Where We Started From”. His next iteration sounds incredible.

@redcloudshaman2509 3 жыл бұрын

"Everything was done with passion and from the heart". That's the way it should be! This man has a beautiful soul, and we're lucky to get to witness Nile's talents.

@davidrpriest 2 жыл бұрын

Niles Rodgers was the sound of early 80's pop music. You couldn't turn on a radio for 20 minutes without hearing one of his songs.

@KuttyJoe 2 жыл бұрын

But I never knew it back then. Now I can think of some songs and wonder if Nile Rogers had something to do with them.

@jonothanthrace1530 2 жыл бұрын

Him and Trevor Horn were the secret weapons of music production for the 80s.

@dusygibbons 2 жыл бұрын

He was the sound of the late 70's too. Chic was all over the radio.

@davidrpriest 2 жыл бұрын

@@dusygibbons Yep!

@geoPhaze 8 жыл бұрын

I could watch Nile play for hours. So damn funky.

@71Wraith 4 жыл бұрын

This guy was the guru behind most of the music that was ever worth listening to. So many sounds so many genres. Amazing song writer

@donniecastleman5701 9 жыл бұрын

One of my favorite guitarists of all time.

@DudeX_FTW 4 жыл бұрын

For real

@stephensmith799 3 жыл бұрын

And so much music theory behind it. He KNOWS theory!!

@135jh 3 жыл бұрын

The notes jump off of his guitar and make you want to move no matter the song.

@leonardomurillo6256 2 жыл бұрын

One of the best for sure

@mattwilliams3296 2 жыл бұрын

I agree

@bluestate69 8 жыл бұрын

I love Nile Rodgers! From his Chic days to his production days. The thing I love more than his music, is that he is a teacher. He opens up his process for all to see.

@patxilek 3 жыл бұрын

Nile Rodgers is the man who gives eternal life to music, which without his contribution would go unnoticed, like millions.

@jayrobb9 8 жыл бұрын

RIP David, forever loved, forever missed. But so happy Nile seems to have won his own cancer battle. Amazing man.

@orbit639 8 жыл бұрын

jesus...stories like this make me miss bowie even more...

@marciafllima7091 7 жыл бұрын

Me too

@carolinetewley-forth9516 7 жыл бұрын

fuck bowie. it's Nile thats the genius.

@marciafllima7091 7 жыл бұрын

+Caroline Tewley-Forth fuck you

@USA92 7 жыл бұрын

+Caroline Tewley-Forth Leave the normal and not insulting about an artist and return to the swamp.

@aerialkate 7 жыл бұрын

Clearly they were both geniuses.

@louisking3459 4 жыл бұрын

He should just be called Nile "Midas Touch" Rodgers because everything he touches turns to gold. From Chic all the way to David Bowie and many others.

@rrrripbing 8 жыл бұрын

Nile is such a talented musician. I love hearing his anecdotes too, they always make me smile.

@HiroNguy 2 жыл бұрын

Rodgers is a great storyteller! I can listen to his anecdotes all night.

@davidgalinat4257 2 жыл бұрын

Its amazing how musicians instantly know when they have a hit.

@frontman010 6 жыл бұрын

This guy is a genuine genius.

@rhykko77 7 жыл бұрын

That is one of my favorite behind the scenes stories EVER ! Thanks for posting

@rohsenm6286 6 жыл бұрын

Nile is up there with all the greats and he keeps on staying up to date with music. ‘Loose yourself to dance’ is a good example of that. I can listen to that riff all day long! And he seems like a down to earth guy he would definitely be a “if you could invite anyone to a dinner party” guest of mine

@gregoryprusak8130 7 жыл бұрын

As much as I am a stone-cold Bowie fan, "Let's Dance" is basically Nile's song, (from a musical and not lyrical sense). Nile has what so few few musicians have and that's a death grip on music theory. But it's only in the break that you can tell it's Bowie's composition. Props to Bowie for recognizing and synthesizing soul (he called his music "plastic soul"... *plastic in the true sense of the word, able to be synthesized* ) and his uncanny knack to surround himself with the best personnel around to achieve his vision. There's nothing wrong with this...all art builds on what comes before, there's no creation in a vacuum. What "came before" was Nile's solid reputation as a funk master. The result, the synthesis was "Let's Dance".

@electrix6751 6 жыл бұрын

+Gregory Prusak Stevie Ray Vaughan's guitar solo is what made that song the hit it was.

@davebartholome2924 5 жыл бұрын

@@electrix6751 I love Stevie Ray's contribution to the song, but it's a bit of a stretch to say that his solo is what made it a hit. As Rogers makes clear in this video, it was a collaborative effort between Bowie, Rogers, Bob Clearmountain (the engineer), Stevie Ray, and others. Nobody gets sole credit for making it a hit.

@TomBVoxman 5 жыл бұрын

It’s interesting that Bowie gets sole songwriting credit. The uniqueness of those chords Nile came up with added so much.

@JohnR219 3 жыл бұрын

Bowie gave Carlos Alomar a songwriting credit on Fame

@10ceekay 3 жыл бұрын

If you watch Bowie do Let's Dance live at Glastonbury (2000) you can see just how much it really was his sing. Bowie had an incredible ability to be curious about anything relating to performance and music. It meant he had a knack for going along with a better idea and bringing it together to create something special. I don't take anything away from Nile though - his credits on so many different artists music, and his own, make him someone that I sit up and take notice of when I hear he is/was involved. I can be sure it's going to be enjoyable. Cooler than Cool.

@robertvanruyssevelt7159 4 жыл бұрын

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.[46] David Bowie - lead vocals; producer; engineer; assistant mixing; horn arrangements Nile Rodgers - guitar; producer; engineer; assistant mixing; horn arrangements musicians Stevie Ray Vaughan - lead guitar Carmine Rojas - bass guitar Bernard Edwards - bass guitar on "Without You" Omar Hakim, Tony Thompson - drums Sammy Figueroa - percussion Robert Sabino - keyboards, piano Stan Harrison - tenor saxophone; flute Robert Aaron - tenor saxophone Steve Elson - baritone saxophone; flute Mac Gollehon - trumpet Frank Simms, George Simms, David Spinner - backing vocals

@MrBruinman86 8 жыл бұрын

Been a fan of Rogers and Bowie for many decades and never knew Lets Dance was a collaboration between the two. Great story. RIP David. So Bummed.

@danprimrose3743 6 жыл бұрын

MrBruinman86 Stevie Ray Vaughan did the solo work on this in the studio on the album

@tc1817 6 жыл бұрын

MrBruinman86.... how could a "fan" of both of them not know they worked together on Let's Dance? Simple. You aren't a fan, you just bought the record....maybe.

@gertpersson4271 5 жыл бұрын

@@tc1817 Jepp, I thought it was obvious that Nile Rodgers is on the guitar on Let´s dance. Everybody must hear it and recognize his beautiful style.

@fuckinrobbie 4 жыл бұрын

@@tc1817 Stop with the gatekeeping

@tc1817 4 жыл бұрын

@@fuckinrobbie what are you yapping about?

@Maxumized 6 жыл бұрын

Niles is the SOUL behind all the music I love...I’m finding out. What a connection!

@nftmorbid5744 Жыл бұрын

Rodgers is a genius, deserve to be here in Montreux this summer.

@BrianAndersonPhotography 8 жыл бұрын

RIP David :(

@alonzotanner1226 8 жыл бұрын

My favorite David Bowie song ever. I'm grateful Nile Rodgers made his mark in my favorite Bowie song AND my favorite Duran Duran song. To me, Nile Rodgers is the king of guitar funk. He rocks!

@jcavazos4145 5 жыл бұрын

Lon Tanner. That be true. Mon frere !

@mashtizadeh7563 3 жыл бұрын

Love you Nile. Thank you for all the memories.

@bahabobby8118 2 жыл бұрын

I'm thrilled he mentioned working with INXS. Nile produced most of The Swing. I bought that album when it was released and I was addicted to it and it will always be one of my 3 albums I would take on a deserted island.

@liorap5636 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much, Lindsey, for sharing this special moment!!

@reemclaughlin4260 3 жыл бұрын

Love them all. I miss Bowie SO much. 🙏🏻💜🕊

@gabedauer3130 22 күн бұрын

Thank you for posting!!

@songweaver6076 5 жыл бұрын

I bow to you in joy Nile! Thanks for the music bro!

@garydarnellwortham3307 3 жыл бұрын

That’s an instant classic in my collection of favorite stories behind the music! Now I have to go listen to Let’s Dance for the 597th lifetime count! 🎸👍🏾

@adrianfell4161 8 жыл бұрын

Bowie & Nile Rodgers combine to create an impossible vortex of cool that sucks the whole world in. In a good way.

@theckp 7 жыл бұрын

Adrian Fell amen to that!

@LunaLucky7 6 жыл бұрын

Adrian Fell David Bowie had many seasoned musicians saying “what? You want me to play that? Ok” but, as I️t all came together, I️t was even something they were shocked to hear..I️t was completely NOT standard but I️t was AMAZING..So many that worked with him initially thought he was crazy..then realized he was crazy genius! And ahead of so many..Truly just one of a kind..

@legendaryTMNICO 3 жыл бұрын

It was also cool to have Stevie Ray Vaughn play a guitar solo too.

@INJURYCOMP 5 жыл бұрын

THANK YOU FOR THIS POST!! The HISTORY behind the songs is very enlightening!

@markcarlin3451 8 жыл бұрын

RIP David Bowe, you will be missed. Another great legend gone :(

@DannyDiess 6 жыл бұрын

I love this man so much and Bowie was my all time favorite artist ever. Thanks for sharing this with us fans. oxox

@hoyavp2236 3 жыл бұрын

Nile is the type of guy that you want to have a big dinner with, and just listen to his stories all night.

@gohjohan Ай бұрын

Your food will get cold because you won't be touching it.

@bobbarcus8310 8 жыл бұрын

love this man... great player

@m.a.c.8366 4 жыл бұрын

thanks very much for sharing this superb video... imho this is a very special glimpse into the petri dish of the crafting of an iconic musical piece.... they do not no the result until they hear it evolve within their samplings around where they feel the song should go... they move the notes, chords, and scale each a little here and there, separately and sometime in unison... until they just feel it is right! I am always in total awe of the creative process of artists...

@Brylantor 6 жыл бұрын

Living legend talking about an incredibly missed legend.

@rallyivan1234 9 жыл бұрын

R.I.P. Stevie Ray Vaughan...

@augustusbetucius1572 6 жыл бұрын

Most people probably won't understand why you're posting that here, but that's okay.

@francisjamesjupiter9376 6 жыл бұрын

Augustus Betucius because steve ray vaughan play on the album.

@augustusbetucius1572 6 жыл бұрын

I am aware of that. But most people aren't aware of that fact. That was my point.

@LRS905 5 жыл бұрын

Augustus Betucius Oh you are such a wise man who knows things no one else knows, you are soo bright...fuck you asswipe.

@claudioperotti9439 5 жыл бұрын

@Cody Alexander he played on the whole Let's dance album

@hermanmunster3358 3 жыл бұрын

I grew up loving Nile Rogers' style, with huge collaborations with Diana Ross, Chic, Sister Sledge to name a few. His music transcends the races and age groups. Just pure brilliance.

@jmc6687 2 жыл бұрын

Talented guitarist and somehow music just flows naturally from this guy. I mean its like music was invented for him to exist.

@allaboutdatGDA 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this! I really enjoyed it!

@davidnl8206 5 жыл бұрын

Just in awe of so much talent and modesty! Great guy, fantastic to hear the story behing Let's Dance. Cool people, cool track

@AmpAHolic-wn6mr 2 жыл бұрын

Such an awesome player and producer. Always looked to Nile for new ideas and inspiration.

@podline7834 2 жыл бұрын

Protect this man at all costs. ❤️

@MSA 9 жыл бұрын

so nile just turn into gold everything that he touches

@chadhero37 6 жыл бұрын

SebaChannel producers and arrangers don't get near the credit the deserve. There is a producer named Mutt Lange who literally had the Midus Touch. He produced Acdc Back in Black, Def Leopard Hysteria and Shania Twain Come On Over. All 3 were smash hits.

@regaltip8A 5 жыл бұрын

Except Jeff Becks Flash album. Regarded as Beck's worst.

@CowboyStag 4 жыл бұрын

This is such a remarkable story. And I think that record is a brilliant creation

@sda1225 8 жыл бұрын

Two geniuses collaborating to bring us music that will stand the test of time. Peaceful journey to you Ziggy

@joelturner6260 8 жыл бұрын

I love these stories we all listen to music and love it but have no idea about its origins and how many ppl come together to create the music we know and love . great story xx

@solomonessix6909 2 жыл бұрын

I loved that song!

@terrypussypower 8 жыл бұрын

It was cool that they did the album in 17 days, but watch the Spiders documentary and hear how they did "The Jean Genie", recorded and mixed, in an hour and a half! The next day the master tape was flown to the UK, the single pressed up and released and it was in the UK charts less than a week after they recorded it! Almost all of "Hunky Dory", "Ziggy Stardust" and "Aladdin Sane" were 1st or 2nd takes of songs they'd just heard!

@triman500 3 жыл бұрын

Went to see him in Scarborough in the UK outdoors. It was a summers evening, the sun came out. It was magic. He is so talented.

@tvacchino 6 жыл бұрын

I love hearing stories like this!!

@thomasnelson5758 2 жыл бұрын

This video never gets old

@steviegrainger6020 8 жыл бұрын

Great clip. thanks

@mixit247 2 жыл бұрын

I am so amazed Nile is so humble, good for him!

@mjt11860 8 жыл бұрын

that is such a cool story. the creative process is so fascinating. r.i.p. david & thanx niles 4 sharing.

@carriekane416 8 жыл бұрын

Haha! What a great story Nile!! LOVE this song! R.I.Paradise David Bowie. God Bless you and Thank you from the bottom of my heart for so many fantastic, kick ass songs!!!

@royi344 4 жыл бұрын

One guy kept clapping so long thinking he was going to start the crowd up lol.

@honeycat535 8 жыл бұрын

thank god for this guy, one of my favs from the genius david bowie!

@trustno_one 8 жыл бұрын

This guy is a legend ! Nile rocks !

@user-uj1vh7uk6v Жыл бұрын

After this interview I love David even more

@fc1873 5 жыл бұрын

Nile Rodgers = Living Legend !!.

@tramlad2 7 жыл бұрын

Amazing man and composer, all round good guy

@garyduckworth4522 8 жыл бұрын

Nile, sir, you are a sweetheart of a guy. You have superb stories to tell. You were great on TV on "that Monday". This is awesome. Loved your China Girl story too. You work hard. My salute. So much affection for Bowie from you and Garson.

@poultrykid 8 жыл бұрын

Two enormous artists

@JilleneLuce 2 жыл бұрын

I loved watching this "Behind the scenes" story !

@snidelywhiplash 4 жыл бұрын

I come back to this every so often just to watch Nile play guitar.

@ia5662 8 жыл бұрын

amazing story Nile! You are the man

@thornwivans 3 жыл бұрын

What a cool story ....legends pumpin out amazing music

@randomdude2540 6 жыл бұрын

Nile Rodgers is my spirit animal

@donniecastleman5701 4 жыл бұрын

I've watched this 100 times, Nile Rodgers is my favorite guitarist on the planet! :)

@zenkertaahl2427 5 жыл бұрын

Nile Rodgers is a ICON! Love him!

@albertelslandvan1536 8 жыл бұрын

Wow Nile helped David to make Lets dance A hit!! big friends Nile and David at that time respect!

@rinaldo8754 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you Lyndsey Parker for sharing this video of Nile Rodgers. It means a lot to me. :)

@GoodMrDawes 2 жыл бұрын

The first Album I desperately wanted as a kid

@gastonlamarque4979 5 жыл бұрын

I love Nile such a legend👍🏻

@peterg.bassist 2 жыл бұрын

This is cool! Very talented and enjoyable musician to listen to!

@luciousjones3394 7 жыл бұрын

All The Great Artist are leaving us with some of this best remembered Licks, and Riffs and songs , wow Bowie see you on the other side ....

@martinplatt5928 8 жыл бұрын

Nile.....love you....amazing musician....RIP David

@aishathomas5012 8 жыл бұрын

Love this story...Wow!!!...Thank God for talent.

@othrerir_jussi 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely love Nile Rodgers

@iamrichrocker 5 жыл бұрын

could listen to these type of stories all night...

@BrettHoustonTube 8 жыл бұрын

Awesome story, and career. RIP David