Bernard Edwards

Sound

1952-10-31 · Greenville, North Carolina, USA

Bernard Edwards was an American bass player, singer, songwriter and record producer, known primarily for his work in disco music with guitarist Nile Rodgers, with whom he co-founded the band Chic. Edwards' bass lines not only dominated Chic's sound and the latter Disco era, but also became foundational for the beginnings of Hip-Hop, including the genre's first hit "Rapper's Delight", in which Edwards' bass line from "Good Times" was reproduced by studio musicians for the Sugarhill Gang's rappers to rap over. As music tastes changed, Edwards and Rogers moved into music production, with Edwards contributing to major hits for Diana Ross, Sister Sledge, Debbie Harry, and Johnny Mathis, among others. The two occasionally produced acts together as well. Chic, and Edwards in particular, were a major influence on the band Duran Duran, especially on bassist John Taylor, to whom Edwards became a mentor. Edwards was also responsible for the formation of supergroup The Power Station, assembling half of Duran Duran (John and Andy Taylor), vocalist Robert Palmer, and his Chic drummer Tony Thompson, leading to major hits "Some Like It Hot" and a cover of "Get It On (Bang A Gong)." Edwards also produced solo albums for Robert Palmer, starting with his breakthrough album Riptide. In 1992, Chic re-formed and released the album Chic-ism to considerable success. On a tour in Japan in 1996, Bernard Edwards had fallen ill (eventually determined to be pneumonia), but refused to cancel the gig. During the gig, he momentarily blacked out several times during the show, and after the show ended, he announced that he was going back to his hotel to get some sleep. He was found dead in his hotel room by his musical partner Nile Rogers the next day, at the age of 43.