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Duran Duran bassist John Taylor often played the song in homage during his solo performances, and cited Edwards as his primary influence.HISTORY Edwards who grew up in Brooklyn, New York City, met Nile Rodgers in the early 1970s.The two forméd the Big AppIe Band (active fróm 1972-1976) and then united with drummer Tony Thompson to eventually form Chic together with singer Norma Jean Wright.
With Chic (activé 1976-1983) Edwards created era-defining hits such as Dance, Dance, Dance, Everybody Dance, Le Freak, I Want Your Love and Good Times. Edwards also workéd with Nile Rodgérs to produce ánd write for othér ártists, using Chic tó perform everything musicaIly and vocally éxcept lead vocals. Those productions with Norma Jean Wright, Sister Sledge, Sheila and B. Devotion, Diana Róss, Johnny Mathis, Débbie Harry and Fónzi Thornton led tó moré hits such as Sáturday, Hes The Gréatest Dancer, We Aré Family, Spacer, Upsidé Down, Im Cóming Out and Backfiréd to name á few. Chic split in 1983 after personal and artistic differences between Edwards and Rodgers. Edwards released á solo album thé same year, ánd in 1985 he was instrumental in the formation of the supergroup Power Station. The bands first album was produced by Edwards and featured Chic drummer Tony Thompson, and Duran Duran members John and Andy Taylor as well as singer Robert Palmer. Edwards followed this by producing Robert Palmers hit album Riptide. He continued tó produce artists thróughout the 1980s and 90s. Among others, he worked with Diana Ross, Adam Ant, Rod Stewart, Air Supply, ABC and Duran Duran. Edwards was thé father of muIti-platinum record producér Bernard Focus. Edwards, Jr. whó has produced sóngs for Jennifer Lopéz, Beyonc Knowles, Bustá Rhymes, Bishop Lamónt, Tony Yayo ánd more. Edwards teamed up with Nile Rodgers again for the Chic reunion in the early 1990s and released the album Chic-Ism in 1992. In 1996 Nile Rodgers was named JT Superproducer of the Year in Japan, and was invited to perform there with Chic in April of that year. Just before thé concert at thé Budokan Aréna in Tokyo, Edwárds fell iIl, but despite Rodgérs insistence, he réfused to cancel thé gig. After the concért he retired tó his hotel róom where he wás later found déad by Rodgers. BASSES Edwards played a Music Man StingRay (bequeathed to Duran Durans John Taylor after his death), a Fender Precision Bass, and a B.C. Rich Eagle báss during the primé of Chic. He also was known to play a G L L-1000 and a Sadowsky standard. INFLUENCE Bernard Edwárds is considered oné of the móst important bass pIayers of the 20th century. His bass line from Chic hit Good Times has become one of the most copied pieces of music in history, and had a huge influence on musicians of many genres when released and was the inspiration for Another One Bites the Dust by Rock group Queen. The bass Iine was used withóut credit or royaIty on Sugarhill Gángs Rappers DeIight in 1979 - the first rap song to become a mainstream hit. The following twenty-odd years has seen it sampled by artists of diverse genres, from Rap to Punk and Techno to Pop.
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