Nile: ‘Picnic show was the start of Chic revival’

Music with Eddie Rowley

WHEN Chic music legend Nile Rodgers talks about his love of Ireland and the close connection he feels with this country, it’s from the heart.

His great-great grandfather, Nile reveals, was an Irish doctor who fathered a child with his black American slave.

“Ireland has also been such an important part in the story of the resurgence of Chic, starting with our early Electric Picnic show,” he goes on.

“I remember asking my old guitar roadie to take a video on my phone of all the people dancing at that show. That was really the beginning of the Chic renaissance.”

Rodgers has had an amazing life, from growing up dirt poor in the Bronx, New York, with parents who were heroin addicts — his mother was just 13 when she became pregnant with him — to becoming one of the greatest musicians and producers of all time.

He has worked with everyone from Sister Sledge and Diana Ross to David Bowie, Madonna, Duran Duran, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga and Daft Punk.

Today, Rodgers continues to tour and perform at a frenetic pace, having been reminded on more than one occasion that life is fickle and short.

He rattles off the list of music stars who have died in recent years. “The fact that I’m still here is incredibly ironic. I think I probably had the most reckless kind of life. My heart stopped eight times from doing alcohol and cocaine.”

A few years ago, Nile was successfully treated for prostate cancer. “I’ve never felt better now,” he says.

“I’m more optimistic than I’ve ever been and for the rest of the time that I’m on this earth, I’m going to redouble and dedicate myself to performance.”

Nile Rodgers and Chic will play Dublin’s Malahide Castle on Saturday, June 16.