CHIC

The group was founded by guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards, who not only made Chic one of the biggest names in disco in the '70s with funky hits like "Le Freak," "Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)" and "Good Times," but also worked with some of the hottest acts of the era as songwriters, producers and performers, including Sister Sledge ("We Are Family") and Diana Ross ("Upside Down"). After the death of disco forced Chic to disband in 1983, Rodgers continued on the path of becoming a legendary songwriter and producer, adding David Bowie, Madonna, INXS, Duran Duran, Daft Punk, Coldplay, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé to his list of credits. Edwards released a solo album in 1983 and helped create the pop-rock supergroup The Power Station, which included Chic drummer Tony Thompson in their lineup, and continued to produce for Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Air Supply, and Duran Duran.

Before they became Chic, Rodgers and Edwards called their group The Big Apple Band. Their friends all thought they hit it big when a New York City composer named Walter Murphy released the chart-topping disco instrumental "A Fifth Of Beethoven" in 1976 under the name Walter Murphy and The Big Apple Band. Unfortunately, it was just a coincidence - one that necessitated a name change. Rodgers' then-girlfriend was a French-speaking Belgian native and suggested the name Chic. Rodgers hated it but they needed a new name pronto, so he relented.

While they were still playing gigs as The Big Apple Band, Rodgers and Edwards joined the group New York City, which is how Rodgers stumbled upon the concept for Chic. While he was in England with the New York City band, Rodgers was robbed of his wallet and passport, which meant he was stranded in the country while the rest of the guys got to go home. He made the most of his time by going to see the band Roxy Music play and he was blown away by the ethereal, beautiful aesthetic of the group and their fans. He described it to Edwards as a completely immersive artistic experience and said they should create a Black version of Roxy Music. With that in mind, they started recruiting members like Tony Thompson, who had just come off working with Labelle, keyboardist Robert Sabino, and singers Norma Jean Wright and Luci Martin.