Bernard Edwards facts for kids

Bernard Edwards (born October 31, 1952 – died April 18, 1996) was an American musician. He was a very talented bass guitar player and a record producer. He is best known for his work in disco music. Bernard Edwards co-founded the famous band Chic with guitarist Nile Rodgers. In 2017, a magazine called Bass Player named him the 53rd greatest bassist of all time.

Bernard Edwards' Life Story

Edwards was born in Greenville, North Carolina. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York City. There, he met Nile Rodgers in the early 1970s. At that time, Edwards worked at a post office. Rodgers' girlfriend's mother also worked there.

The two musicians became friends and formed a band called the Big Apple Band. This was from 1972 to 1976. Later, they teamed up with drummer Tony Thompson. Together with singer Norma Jean Wright, they formed the band Chic.

Chic's Big Hits

With Chic, Edwards helped create many popular songs. These songs defined the disco era from 1976 to 1983. Some of their biggest hits include "Dance, Dance, Dance", "Everybody Dance", "Le Freak", "I Want Your Love", and "Good Times".

Edwards and Nile Rodgers also produced and wrote songs for other artists. They often used Chic as the band for these recordings. They worked with artists like Norma Jean Wright, Sister Sledge, Sheila and B. Devotion, and Diana Ross. They also worked with Johnny Mathis, Debbie Harry, and Fonzi Thornton. These collaborations led to more hit songs. Some of these hits were "Saturday", "He's The Greatest Dancer", "We Are Family", and "Upside Down". In the song "We Are Family," Kathy Sledge even sings, "Yeah, come on Bernard, play...play your funky bass, boy!".

Edwards also worked alone as a songwriter and producer. He helped Diana Ross get a Top 15 hit called "Telephone" in 1985.

Later Career and Collaborations

In 1983, Edwards released his own solo album called "Glad To Be Here". In 1985, he helped create a "supergroup" called The Power Station. A supergroup is a band made of famous musicians from other bands. Edwards produced their first album. It featured Chic drummer Tony Thompson. It also included Duran Duran members John and Andy Taylor, and singer Robert Palmer.

After this, Edwards produced Robert Palmer's successful album Riptide. He continued to produce music for many artists in the 1980s and 90s. These artists included Diana Ross, Adam Ant, Rod Stewart, Jody Watley, Grayson Hugh, Air Supply, ABC, and Duran Duran.

Bernard Edwards was also the father of a successful record producer. His son, Bernard "Focus..." Edwards, Jr., has produced songs for famous artists like Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé.

In the early 1990s, Edwards and Nile Rodgers brought Chic back together. They released a new album called Chic-Ism in 1992.

Bernard Edwards' Death

In 1996, Nile Rodgers was honored in Japan. He was invited to perform there with Chic in April. Just before their concert at the Budokan Arena in Tokyo, Edwards felt sick. Nile Rodgers wanted to cancel the show, but Edwards insisted on performing.

He managed to play the concert, but sometimes he needed help. At one point, Edwards briefly passed out but then kept playing. Nile Rodgers thought it was part of the music. After the concert, Nile went to check on Bernard. Bernard said, "I'm fine, I just need to rest." This was the last time Nile spoke to him. Edwards went to his hotel room. Later, Nile Rodgers found him dead. Doctors said he died from pneumonia. Edwards' last performance was released as an album in 1996, called Live at the Budokan.

His Musical Impact

Bernard Edwards' bass line from Chic's hit song "Good Times" is very famous. It has been copied by many musicians and influenced many different music styles. This bass line was also the inspiration for "Another One Bites the Dust" by the band Queen.

The Chic song "Good Times" was also used in "Rapper's Delight" by Sugarhill Gang in 1979. This was the first rap song to become a big hit. In the years that followed, many artists used parts of "Good Times" in their own songs. This is called "sampling." Artists from rap to punk, techno, and pop music used it. Duran Duran bassist John Taylor often played the song to honor Edwards. He said Edwards was his main musical influence.

Edwards was nominated for four Grammy Awards for his work. These nominations were for his music with Chic, Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, and Robert Palmer.

On September 19, 2005, Edwards was honored after his death. He was added to the Dance Music Hall of Fame in New York. This was for his amazing work as a producer.

Selected Music Albums

Here are some of the albums Bernard Edwards worked on:

With Chic

• Chic (1977)
• C'est Chic (1978)
• Real People (1980)
• Take It Off (1981)
• Tongue in Chic (1982)
• Believer (1983)
• Dance, Dance, Dance: The Best of Chic (1991)
• Chic-Ism (1992)
• The Best of Chic, Volume 2 (1992)
• Live at the Budokan (1999)

Solo Album

• Glad to Be Here (1983)

As a Producer

• Norma Jean, Norma Jean Wright (1978)
• We Are Family, Sister Sledge (1979)
• King of the World, Sheila and B. Devotion (1980)
• Love Somebody Today, Sister Sledge (1980)
• diana, Diana Ross (1980)
• I Love My Lady, Johnny Mathis (1981, released in 2017)
• Koo Koo, Debbie Harry (1981)
• unknown title, Fonzi Thornton (1982) (Unreleased)
• Swept Away, Diana Ross (1984)
• Like a Virgin, Madonna (1984)
• The Power Station, The Power Station (1985)
• "A View to a Kill" (single), Duran Duran (1985)
• The Heat, Nona Hendryx (1985)
• Riptide, Robert Palmer (1985)
• "Round, Round", Belouis Some (1985)
• Cocker, Joe Cocker (1986)
• Color in Your Life, Missing Persons (1986)
• Hearts in Motion, Air Supply (1986)
• Alphabet City, ABC (1987)
• If, Hollywood Beyond (1987)
• Contact, Platinum Blonde (1987)
• Jody Watley, Jody Watley (1987)
• Out of Order, Rod Stewart (1988)
• Under the One Sky, Distance (1989)
• Step into the Heat, James Freud (1989)
• YUI Orta, Ian Hunter/The Hunter Ronson Band (1990)
• Break the Silence, The Triplets (1990)
• Vagabond Heart, Rod Stewart (1991)
• Persuasion, Adam Ant (1991) (Unreleased)
• Road to Freedom (Grayson Hugh album), Grayson Hugh (1992)
• Living in Fear, The Power Station (1996)

Collaborations with Other Artists

• KooKoo - Debbie Harry (1981)
• Let's Dance - David Bowie (1983)
• Hearts and Bones - Paul Simon (1983)
• Like a Virgin - Madonna (1984)
• Riptide - Robert Palmer (1985)
• She's the Boss - Mick Jagger (1985)
• Cocker - Joe Cocker (1986)
• She - Dalbello (1987)
• Out of Order - Rod Stewart (1988)
• Move to This - Cathy Dennis (1990)
• Vagabond Heart - Rod Stewart (1991)
• A Spanner in the Works - Rod Stewart (1995)

See also

In Spanish: Bernard Edwards para niños