Disco and Destiny, An Upside Down Story of Family

The book sort of follows three narratives.
- Nile Rodgers' childhood, his family and his early career from the early 70s through to Chic and disco.
- Partying, nightclubbing and the hedonism in the 80s
- Drug and alcohol addiction and recovery.

The early years and the early career were the best and most fascinating chapters. Many fans of 60s and 70s music tend to fixate on the stereotypical images of late 60’s hippies and 70’s blacksploitation films. In this book, Rodger’s goes into detail into what it meant to be poor and black and how difficult lives some black families people let back then and how much heroin and drugs affected their daily lives.

The chapters on partying in the 80s was a little boring. It's a lot of name dropping and how many expensive cars he had and how much he used to party.

The story of alcohol and drug addiction was interesting and very revealing and honest.

Where the book falls short is that he doesn't go into much detail on how he made the big records he worked on in the 80s. He only mentions the most famous artists such as the Diana Ross comeback record, David Bowie's Let's Dance and Madonna and very little of the many influential artists records he played on and produced. Even of the records he does mention, he doesn't go into much technical detail of the sessions. Given the resurgence of interest in 80s music and given that he was one of the premiere producers who made a lot of the most popular music of the 80s, it would have been very interesting to find out how those records actually got made and how they used the technology to make them.

Nile and his river of rhythm

by

Rob Jones

Chaos and calamity surrounded the youthful years of Nile Rodgers. Nile was exposed to alternative and dangerous worlds that could have resulted in a short stint on planet earth. Nile Rodgers and his band Chic may be identified with the party anthem Good Times; but his path to a pop paradise was awash with mayhem and madness.

The paths of addiction and ambition meet head on in Nile Rodgers: Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco and Destiny (Little Brown Books); and an astonishing autobiography is unleashed.

Rodgers childhood was surrounded by beatniks with insatiable appetites for fast living. Teenage Nile fled a family nest that was more like a mobile home with an interchangeable cast and he took to busking. He later jammed with Jimi Hendrix, toured with the Sesame Street road show, and played with a variety of acts. However, a 70’s bond with Bernard Edwards (Nard) was the inspiration to mix up diverse influences (including Roxy Music and Kiss) and as a result Chic and the sharp end of disco rocketed. This success has led Nile to experience performance and production collaborations with the likes of: David Bowie, Madonna, Diana Ross, Sister Sledge, Michael Jackson, Prince, INXS, Bob Dylan, Bryan Ferry, Mick Jagger, Slash, Depeche Mode, The B52’s, Eric Clapton, Robert Plant, Elton John and Jeff Beck.

The Rodgers songbook is awash with his core requisite of DHM (Deep Hidden Meaning). Meanwhile, the absence of a DHM in his daily existence evidently troubled Nile as he sought escape via an abundance of alcohol and narcotics. Since 1994 Rodgers is proud that despite a long battle against his excessive demons he has come out on the other side of these trials and tribulations.

A contemporary Rodgers is just ‘grateful for the gift of life’ as he battles against cancer. The creation of music is still important to Nile, and there are fresh challenges via his We Are Family Foundation charity that has helped countless kids around the globe. There are also priceless fragments of the dysfunctional clan he has always adored to keep him busy, although probably not out of bother!?!

The Nile Rodgers tale encapsulates Adventures in the Land of Good Groove and also the flip side of fame and fortune! This absorbing text has Hollywood hit written all over it, and may the movie making begin soon!

With most celebrity bios, I patiently read the boring childhood and family stuff in eager anticipation of the main course. But with Le Freak, Nile Rodgers' turbulent childhood and adolescence makes up a large chunk of the book and is pretty engrossing. It might arguably overshadow the amazing adventures he has had as a superstar artist. He writes about his chaotic family in a matter-of-fact almost breezy way. Rape, incest, profligate drug abuse and criminal activity: It's not exactly the Huxtables, but he seems to emerge largely unscathed.

I loved the David Bowie and Madonna chapters. I wish there had been more detailed accounts of his work with the likes of Mick Jagger, Robert Plant and INXS. I also feel Nile and his uncredited ghostwriter could have given us a bit more biographical info on Bernard Edwards, who had a wife and family and a seemingly different life. And the frequent - and incorrect use of "ironic" started to drive me nuts. It is NOT ironic that Tony Visconti lives next-door to you. It is simply "coincidental."

The book ends with the inevitable drug freak-out and rehabilitation. I skipped the boring 9/11 stuff and he in turn skipped his cancer battle. I guess that will be the second book.

I was nine years old and that first, "Awwwwww Freak Out!" was the first song I was obsessed by, the first song I had to have, the first vinyl 45 I ever bought (and still own). I have followed Nile Rodgers' music through the years, from Chic, to Sister Sledge, David Bowie, Madonna, Duran Duran, and countless other fantastic artists and songs that are all among my favorites.

Le Freak is the story of a young man, born to a 13-year old, drug addicted mother, a drug addicted father, and various step-fathers, who was shuffled among family members from one coast to the other and still managed to keep his cool and keep respect for his family. Inevitably, he also turned to drugs, starting with sniffing glue and working his way up to a cocaine habit as he became more and more successful. Even through his drug haze, he maintained a level of work ethic and respect for others that propelled him to the top of the charts. Chic became one of the most successful groups of all time, and when disco crashed, he thought it was all over. However, his amazing musicality was not lost on others and he became in demand as a producer and songwriter for myriad artists.

I found the stories behind the songs fascinating and kept Youtube up as I was reading so that I could follow the music as he described it -- a true interactive experience! Also fascinating is his personal story of a drug fueled, musician's lifestyle that almost made him lose what has meant the most to him through his life -- the music itself. Faced with that, he decided to kick the habit and the same determination that made him successful has helped him to maintain a clean life for many years. He is now facing the biggest challenge of his life, cancer, and I am hoping that his strong will will allow him to Dance, Dance, Dance for many more years to come.

Although he wouldn't consider himself a "genius" of any kind, those in my generation would wholeheartedly disagree. Music fans born in the 60s on up to the early 70s, 1970 for me, would come to know the name Nile Rodgers as being synonymous with some of the biggest songs and records of our lives. From his days with Bernard Edwards and the formation of Chic and the Chic Organization, Rodgers would help write and produce some of the songs that many of us would associate with forever.

I've always been a big fan of Chic, ever since I heard "Le Freak" from the album C'Est Chic, and every time a song would come out with a strong hook like Diana Ross's "Upside Down" or Sister Sledge's "We Are Family" or "He's The Greatest Dancer," Edwards and Rodgers's name would be listed as producers.

I'm so glad to finally read his autobiography.

Rodgers writes about his impoverished beginnings and how he fought his way against insurmountable odds to become one of the most sought after producers in music history (for those in the know), and then having to weather the storm of "disco sucks," which more than proved Rodgers was much more than a one trick pony. His tone is conversational and it was very exciting to read about his encounters with mega superstars like Diana Ross, David Bowie, and a then unknown artist who was just beginning her career named Madonna. Rodgers produced some of their biggest albums and I enjoyed reading about how he used the formula that he and Bernard Edwards had during the Chic days, which was to find a "deep hidden meaning" in the songs, and then use that concept and apply that to the artists he was working with.

He also discusses the huge drug and drinking problem he had and the death of his band-mate, Bernard Edwards, who was like Lennon to his McCartney.

The legacy that Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards -- along with Tony Thompson, Norma Jean Wright, Alfa Anderson, and Luci Martin -- contributed to popular music will indeed forever be remembered as classics, once one can look past the flippant "disco" label and all the connotations that come with it. Even if you don't know the music of Chic you've probably heard some of it sampled as far back as Sugar Hill's "Rapper's Delight," Queen's "Another One Bites The Dust," or on Blondie's "Rapture." Three genres and that's just from one song, not to mention all the bands that were influenced by the sound of Chic, and so yes, Edwards and Rodgers most definitely deserve to be right up there with the best of them.

Perhaps my only complaint is that the book ends on a cliff-hanger. I won't say what it is, but I'd really like to know more about it and it felt as though the book is unfinished because of that. It was sort of anti-climactic.

But nevertheless, the book is entertaining.

BTW, check out Diana (Deluxe Edition) to get both Chic's & Motown's cut of the seminal Ross album. In the liner notes written by Brian Chin, it's the Motown remix that was released and not Chic's.

I was gladly surprised by the contents of this book. In the past few months I picked a few books of this type and most failed to entertain. Even though I did not know much about this period and style of music, excepting for the Bee Gees and John Travolta disco movie, I was very curious to read it and it does not disappoint. The whole pace of the book, the anecdotes, the period of time in history during the course of the book made for mostly a fascinating tour de force.
I noticed that contrary to what one sees on books of this kind it was short of actual photographs of the band Chic, which apparently was very famous in its heyday. There are, though, photos here and there-not many-, of certain people related to the tale it tells. The writer is quite likable and almost from the start I found myself wanting to read more, not boring at all.
This guy has quite a family but he finds a way to keep a lighthearted, yet intense, account of it all. A story of rags to riches, excesses, money making and all kinds of real characters along the way, Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco and Destiny succeeds on all levels. I tried to picture the author in my mind but it appears that Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards are the co-founders of the group. They started as session musicians but soon enough they were the toast of the town, that is, right before disco took its fall, which is quite interesting for at one time Disco was the most popular of musics.
Obviously they had the talent it took to find success in the music business and Mr. Nile Rodgers is quite a character, if you ask me, filled with a clear memory of the events told in the book and with enough humor to keep the reader highly amused. This book open a door that I never seen through before. Never a disco person, even though I danced a couple of nights away, it is still part of the great tradition of show business that governs the music industry.
These guys walk the walk and dressed for the part. All in the middle of the well documented excesses of the era, yet they manage for a while to put up bestseller songs that became quite popular in their world of lights and dance floors. References here and there to other talented people, the book kept delivering quite a trip of events, stories of family, drugs, music and fashion, all rolled into one.
Very thankful to the store for allowing me to read it for I do not think I would have never ventured into this very fast paced account of the life of Nile Rodgers. Looks like Bernard Edwards and him had a knack for writing hit tunes completely attuned to the era in which Chic shined the brightest.
There are plenty of books of musicians from all periods of time but only a few rise above and become so enjoyable and to my immense delight Le Freak is one of them. I give it a solid 4 Stars but perhaps deserves even more, but don't let that ruin the fun to be had while reading this book. You will read about many names that are part of the music industry, almost in a casual sort of way, one realizes that Mr. Rodgers has a reason to be proud, and more still, to be a survivor of the times when Studio 54 and other great night clubs were booming with that special kind of crowd that later became known as the disco crowd. Do not matter that they were made fun of when the music turned ugly on that style of music, what matters is that for a while there was a band named Chick and that Mr. Nile Rodgers lived through it all and decided to write a very fun book about the whole can of beans. 4.5 Stars!
Update on 10/29/2011: I reviewed this book but there was still some pages left when I did. After reading the additional pages I realized, without a trace of a doubt, that Mr. Nile Rodgers is a talented yet humble human being. The last pages added a dimension that I had wrongly assumed did not existed. He basically reveals his dependency on drugs, heavy ones at that, and how he took a fall, but was lucky and strong willed enough, to bounce back up. His tone throughout his book is of a person that knows the world for what it is and never comes across as a prideful, conceited, obnoxious personality. Actually at the end one wishes this guy all the luck in the world, and yes, I was not fully aware of the number of talented artists Mr. Nile Rodgers has worked with. His candor and light humor endears him to the reader that can not help but to like this guy, even though he did live "La Vida Loca", that is for sure. This definitely will be the last time that I try to figure out the outcome of a book and voice my opinion without reading it to the last page. In those last pages I found the book to be even more worthy of reading and now I might as well try to get some tracks from Chick for the first time. Curiosity sometimes kills the cat but in this case is the next logical step for Nile Rodgers career path is truly an interesting one. Might be the fact that I always have related more to the type of biographies that deal in the crazy carousel that is the music business: the good, the bad, and the ugly. So 4.5 Stars for a book that while not perfect, it is a vibrant account of a modern musician life. Fun and entertaining.

You have probably never heard of Nile Rodgers. Born to a teenage, junkie mother and a deadbeat father, Nile never had what most would consider a normal life. As his mother went from boyfriend to boyfriend, he found himself embarking on multiple cross country trips between New York and California and in the care of his two grandmothers. With a lack of guidance, structure, and discipline, young Nile was forced to grow up quickly, and discover a self reliance that would serve as the foundation for the rest of his life.

While you may have never heard of Nile Rodgers, you have definitely heard his music. amongst a childhood full of drugs, abuse, incest, and even murder, a young Nile Rodgers discovered a natural talent for music. By the age of fifteen, he ran away from his family and devoted the rest of his life to his craft. Through his band, Chic, and through many other artists such as Diana Ross, David Bowie, Duran Duran, Madonna, and countless others, Rodgers became the man behind multiple hits including, Le Freak, good Times, We Are Family, Like a Virgin, Modern Love, I'm Coming Out, The Reflex, and Rapper's Delight.

While this story mirrors that of many other artists, all of whom struggle with addiction, poverty, and reaching artistic fulfillment, Nile's tale is a uniquely moving recollection that reads like a great work of fiction. He has a clear voice that is accessible, even to those who, like me, are unfamiliar with his name and career. I was surprised that I could relate to the kind of "matter of fact" views that Rodgers expressed about his life. This memoir is not only an inside look into the creation of some of the best music of the past forty years, but an introspective portrait of a flawed character striving to create a perfect art in an imperfect world.

For many of those in my age group---mid-thirties---it is really amazing how much of the music that icon Nile Rodgers helped to craft that still finds its way into our music collection. He is an individual who was not only in line with his time but able to see ahead and create music that would be viewed as timeless.

In the book LE FREAK we are able to get a better glimpse of the man: the good, bad and the road that seems to go through redemption and now beyond. There was quite a bit that fascinated me about his time and the way that even though he was seen to be quite brilliant race was an issue that kept rearing its ugly head. Whether he was dealing with the vices of rock and roll or just of life in general this frank and sometimes amusing view of the mind allows us to see that even in music it's not all fun and games.

Why write the book now? That was a question I wondered at first, but after I finished it I realized that it was a book that is just as a relative for us today as it might have been some decades ago. The other thing I thought was the way it allows us to reflect on what was and what has in many ways appeared again. I cam eo realize that in music as is the case in life there are really no new things under the sun.

This is a timeless read that you will enjoy and want to share.

There is a flood of books capturing the decadent recklessness of rock stars. Unfortunately, most of these books are "unauthorized" biographies (generally meaning the author has taken great liberty in revealing the most salacious details for the sake of selling books) or "official" biographies (generally meaning the subject has given the author approval on exposing some salacious details for the purpose of selling books). In most cases, these books usually leave me feeling somewhat slimed in that I often question the veracity of the "unauthorized" material and the "official" stories seem to embellish or soft-pedal to the subject matter's liking. In LE FREAK, Nile Roger's takes a refreshingly different path by penning an autobiography that feels as genuine and humble as it is entertaining.

What makes Nile Roger's story worth reading is that he is arguably one, if not THE, most prolific musical talents of the modern era. This multi-faceted individual has his "musicprints" on some of the most influential music put on vinyl the past 40 years ... from Sesame Street to disco anthems to Madonna to Eric Clapton. While being a "go-to" guy in the music industry for decades, Rogers' noteworthy career is anonymous to most of the music-listening public. In other words, millions love his work, but most have no clue as to who this man is. This anonymity creates a unique opportunity for Rogers to not only introduce himself, but take readers on an insider tour of how some of the most iconic modern music came to be.

While the musical journey is the book's main draw, it is Rogers' personal story that will grab the reader from start to finish. By immediately introducing us to his rather eccentric, ubiquitous and colorful (literally) family, a zany cast of characters is set for a life that is simultaneously happy, sad and scary, but never dull. A drug-addled mom and step-dad vicariously living by the hippy creed seemed to have instilled a sense of creative open-mindedness in Rogers that enabled his music career to flourish. The tone in which Rogers speaks of his mother (who gave birth to him at age 13) is never short of reverence. On the other hand, the humble, self-deprecating manner in which Rogers speaks of his self is what really adds spice to this book. I could not find a single chest-thumping moment in LE FREAK and considering the man's extraordinary success in popular music, is not only refreshing, but ... rare.

Obviously, music is the core of LE FREAK and the extent of Rogers work is both amazing and revealing. Beginning with his breakout success as co-mastermind of the disco-anthem machine Chic, the man has arranged, played and produced music for a list of performers that reads like an encyclopedia of music. With a large degree of humility, Rogers divulges what it is like to make hit records for some of the biggest egos in the industry. The combination of a childhood plagued by drug use and lucrative success unsurprisingly leads to a drug/alcohol addiction. A functioning addict, Rogers' adeptly juggles between bumps of cocaine and producing multi-platinum records such as David Bowie's "Let's Dance" and Madonna's "Like a Virgin". And while the opulent rock-star lifestyle predictably comes to a crashing halt, the entire story is anything but predictable.

Considering the volume of music biographies I've read over the years (including those of "heavy hitters" like Motley Crue and Led Zeppelin), I was surprised at how fascinated I was with Nile Rogers' story. The book is rich with entertainment, but with a healthy dose of hubris. While I've always Nile Rogers musical endeavors, hearing him tell his story has garnered even more respect for him as a man.

I opened Nile Rodger's memoir and honestly, had it not been for the Vine Program I would have missed out on enjoying one of the best books I've read this year.

His childhood was very hard to receive as cavalierly as he shared it, however when it came time to him sharing his music, there are three words that come instantly to mind. Oh - My - God!

The irony here is, once I was fully immersed and engaged into the technical philosophies of making music, was it when the DHM of his life, to include his young life, all came together like the many songs he helped bring up the charts. The language used I enjoyed most. The words and lines are not written, but composed. It's the highest form of writing I know. So much so, at one point I questioned what I was reading. I mean, composing exceptional music is one art, but writing a book as influential as he was to music? ...years later after the daily drug habit? But then, and ah ha, how could I have missed it? He is a musical genius.

Le Freak, a tremendous recording of musical influences inclusive, but not exclusive of classical, rock, pop and disco, incorporates so much by way of content that one review is far too little space to give it all the praise it deserves. His father, for one, touched me deeply. His brother and mother, hilarious. Too many times, one or the other was doing something that had me turned on my side laughing to tears. And Nard, oh man, what a compelling tribute. And still, the `metamorphosis of compressed and accelerated artistic talent' brings out the significance of telling it all, none more important than the sharing of a phenomenal and inspirational musician living the dream in a time worth documenting. I am very moved, and indebted to have read a galvanizing musical icon.

Outstanding!

Musical genius Nile Rodgers wrote, in Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny, not only of his work with legends like Madonna and David Bowie, but of his humble beginnings as the child of a Caucasian junkie father and a Black junkie mother. If not for his talent and love of music, the drugs that overtook his own life would have ended it.

This wonderfully written book covers the old saying, "Disco s*cks, but Rock is rollin'" from disco through rock, as well as the blues and jazz. It is a wonderful story about the amalgamization of a musician and producer's loves of different styles creating amazing compositions. He quoted Madonna as saying, "Music makes the bourgeoisie and the rebel." Living for his Deep Hidden Meaning(DMH) "allowed [us] to be artist, knowing most at best see [us] merely as technocrats." Welcoming the challenge of being more than the audience saw was the integral part of what made Chic, Chic, and what allowed Rodgers to continue after the end of his band's run.

Nile Rodgers was an integral part of the reconstruction of pop music. With his band Chic came the composition of the legendary "Le Freak." As the years went by, he would be part of production of hits by the aforementioned Bowie and Madonna. He worked with everyone from Blondie to the Rolling Stones, from Duran Duran to Diana Ross. Rodgers wrote not only of the music, but of all the outside influences (generation changes, friendships, and drugs were only part of it) that caused some of the changes that make music what it is today.

Strongly recommended for all lovers of music, not only for fans of bands with whom Nile Rodgers worked. Every chapter tells a great story.

"Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny" by Nile Rodgers is an excellent book that I couldn't put down.

It really took me back to the days when those songs were on the hit list. Funny how those songs put you right there in the moment remembering everything that was going on in your life at the time as they played on the radio.

What goes on behind the scenes in the lives and careers of musicians is always something that fascinates me. What got them into music, what kept them practicing more than most, how did they find those first gigs, and just what broke them into the chart topping record deals.

The ups and downs of Nile's young life. The love of music and how he felt when he had his hands on a guitar. His drug addiction, illness, he reflections on it all.

I loved it. Reading it had me in the store picking a few CD's to listen to them on my stereo at home and to load on my iPod to listen to them while out and about. I was an artist/freak (hippie chick) who, while not part of the Disco scene, secretly loved Disco music.

The writing is top notch and you won't want to put it down. I lost a night's sleep because I just had to finish just one more chapter. Well, maybe one more....

first of all RIP to Bernard Edwards and also Tony Thompson. the chic Sound was truly incredible, brother Nile Rodgers truly flipped the game with his trademark way of jamming on the Axe. he truly holds the Rhythm done. also much blessings his way for battling and dealing with prostate Cancer. He truly is a Survior and that ain't even getting the details of his upbringing to his days as a Artist,producer etc.. what a life this Man has lead and what alot he has accomplished. he talks about various artists, places and things he was part of. he pulls no punches about Racism either which is very true and how being dissed at Studio 54 lead to "freak Out". this Man has worked with a whose who of the business and even with the Chic Sound, he is still down-played which is such a shame because Nile Rodgers is One of the Baddest talents to rock a studio or a stage period. a must have and read from start to finish. very moving book. Props and much respect to the Soul brother.

Le Freak, an upside down story of family, disco and destiny by Nile Rodgers is his story starting when he was a child all the way up through his life and career. I have to say I had not heard of Nil Rodgers but had heard of his work. If you grew up in the 70's and 80's you will know his work as well. This book is very well written and very interesting. I found it to be inspirational that someone with so much against him did so well in his achievements. He is brutally honest about his families drug use as well as his own demons, and brings you on the exciting journey through his song writing, recording and working with great artists and bringing us great songs such as the title or "Freak Out!" , "We are Family", and "Good Times". You follow him through the good and bad times of his band Chic - who were so popular during the Disco era. He even talks about how and when he met Madonna before she was the icon she is today. Very entertaining and heartwarming, this is a book you won't want to put down.

A feast for popular music fans. The rise and fall of disco. Drug addict parents. Studio 54. The rise of heroin in the 60s and cocaine in the 80s.

I loved the chapter on the album "Let's Dance," Rodgers' collaboration with David Bowie and the little known Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Nile's good character is revealed via his starstruck quality with fellow bandmates as well as legendary stars. He gives fair credit to those who inspired his creative moves: Roxy Music, Kiss.

Hipsters will love the lingo of the cool crowd.

Here, finally is a celebrity memoir that seems to be written by the celebrity himself. As a sometimes-ghost-writer, I can usually spot them a mile away. There's no trace here, so he's either absent or a subtle genius. What we get instead is Nile Rodgers unskillfully telling his story, and the result is a really good read, told at his own pace.

That pace is sometimes slow, like the long childhood section before we get to the music-stuff. I recommend you don't skip it, because it's interesting in itself and it gets you used to his style. His style is his own and comes through clearly, and has the great attribute of not sounding like anything else you've read. His editor is clearly a minimalist genius, sometimes leaving the occasional muddled sentence just as it was because it was perhaps needed that way.

For an unskilled writer, he sure can draw you in. The chapter on producing Bowie's "Let's Dance" is fascinating, and caused me to give it another listen. I had always hated the album because I thought it soulless and mechanical. I was very surprised, upon re-listening, to once again find it soulless and mechanical.

Recommendation: read the book with a playlist going. I made up one for writing this review: "Le Freak", "I'm Coming Out", "Good Times", "We Are Family", "Upside Down", "Like a Virgin", "Material Girl"...

Nile Rodgers catalogs the many ups and downs of a life deeply troubled but profoundly rich in friends, creation and experience. If you're a fan of the music of the author's eras (60-80s are given the most focus in the book), or a musician seeking a behind-the-scenes look at the music's creation, you'll love this book.

The author was interviewed on a *Sound of Young America* podcast, listen to that for a preview.

Finally, regarding the jazz-influenced dance music of Chic. I recently spend 2 hours in a nightclub somewhat reluctantly bopping to the ear-splitting, repetitive, melodically weak 'oontz oontz oontz oontz' music that passes for the dance genre today. Though Chic's era was before my time, I wished I was back in the 70s dancing to their more refined sound vs. the unimaginative beats of today.

This very intriquing bio on Nile Rodgers was heartfelt and at times unimaginable. It really is an upside down family life that shows how destiny can't be stopped. Nile Rodgers learned how to dance in the rain...if you will because he did more than just survive the storms in his life.

The reader gets an upclose peek inside the life and career of Nile Rodgers. He shares private conversation and business history with the likes of Michael Jackson and David Bowie. The ups and downs of his music career are detailed, but in my opinion, the best of the book is about his childhood and the powerful example of his life and destiny.

I am usually very hestitant to get books about true show biz stuff because some just name drop you to death. Wow not this one, I want a volume two with more celeb stories. This is a great read. Harsh sometimes and gritty but very very good. I have to admit, I didn't know the name Nile Rodgers before getting the book, but as stated before...GIVE ME MORE. This guy worked with everybody and produced some of the biggest songs ever for the top artists. Try Madonna, David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, the list goes on and on. Read this one folks. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

So many artists want to tell their stories and, at times they can be fascinating, unbelievable, self-serving, confessional, and even boring. Le Freak is rarely boring but it does touch on the others.

I remember playing Chic's records at my first job working in a roller rink waaay back in the day and there's no denying that he's been a huge factor in some of the most danceable music ever, as well as being a big part of a cultural phenomenon that sweep through the country in the 70s and 80s. His tale encompasses all of these stages in his life with all the ugliness, joy, and stupor that went with it. Nile has lived hard and played hard and nearly lost his life in the process.

I tend to read books like this in a bathroom kind of way, e.g. I open it and read from that page. It's anecdotal and I read it as such. I've read more autobiographies/biographies than I care to remember and Le Freak is a good one for those who like the juicy tidbits to flavor the storyline. You won't be disappointed by Roger's story.

Le Freak is an awesome book! Written by former Chic member and music producer Nile Rodgers, it is a rollicking, turbulent ride through Rodgers' life and the disco era. Rodgers talks very candidly about his family and the things that happened to him while growing up as well as his involvement in Chic and his eventual move to producing some of today's greatest musical acts. At times the stories can be funny (like when he was involved in producing the Eddie Murphy comedy Coming to America), and they can be upsetting as well (such as Rodgers' slide into drug addiction), but in the end it is a very entertaining book.

I was quite intrigued and anxious to see what this book was all about, since I was the owner of six very large discotheques from 1975 through 1986. We had clubs with a seating capacity that ranged from 1500 to 3000, with locations in Kansas City, Atlanta, Omaha, Augusta Georgia, and Wichita Kansas. So his music was the music of that era and his name was very recognizable in our industry (kind of like a Bill Gates in the software business). Besides his band Chic' and the wonderful songs that they put out, his imprint was heard on many other artists songs from that era. He had a golden touch for the sounds which would ignite the dance floor. He was sought out by just about every artist in the music business during that time, to collaborate in the studio and to produce their music.

As I started reading the book, I found the early story to be very interesting reading about the very disjointed and abnormal family life that he lived him as a child. He was exposed to the raw underbelly of a life involving pimps, drugs, hustlers, prostitutes, and any number of other peculiar lowlifes. It certainly had to have an impact on his psyche, bringing an edginess to life that a sheltered existence would not have exposed him to. And I suspect in that regard, it gave him some invaluable "survival and overcome" tools for his later pursuits in life. Certainly, an acceptance and use of drugs as a "normal" amenity in life, undoubtedly freed his mind and spirit to soar in the environment of music. I don't think it's any great secret that a lot of creative inspiration in the artistic pursuits of life have been influenced by drugs and/or alcohol, as evidenced by many of the great painters and authors over the centuries, who had their addictions. So that background to the story establishes the foundation under which Nile's music blossomed.

Although it was a very colorful read through that first section, I must admit after several chapters of nonstop descriptions of the characters that came in an out of his living room and existence, it started getting a bit old and repetitious. I think he would have been just as well served in that earlier part of the book to condense the first 100 pages down to 20 or 30. For, I was anxious for the story to move on to his latter years involving music and the artists with which he interacted. The book did get to that point, but a bit too laboriously. Once the book "hit stride", involving music and what he's really known for, I found it to be much more engaging and interesting.

Much has been said in the reviews by others, describing the rest of the book, so I will not bore you with those details, as being redundant. I think the main message I wanted to convey in this review was that, if you're reading the book and you're tempted to put it down within the first several chapters because of the emphasis on his preteen upbringing, I would advise you to continue the read because there is a reward as it progresses.

As significant and engaging as the most excellent music Mr. Rodgers created, "Le Freak" is an expertly-constructed book that tells it like it was, and is now. I appreciate how he describes his family dynamics, and his friendship with Bernard Edwards. His tale of recovery from drug use is inspiring and credible. "Le Freak" was a great reading experience.

Nile Rodgers has lived a very interesting and exciting life! I was familiar with his music from "Chic" but I had no idea of his work with so many other artists. This man is a multi talented genius. I gave his book 5 stars because it was so well written and enjoyable to read. I am also excited that he is back on the scene with his music, recently winning a Grammy....Congrats to Nile Rodgers for his much deserved success!

An insightful, absorbing memoir of a musical genius. Nile Rodgers' "Le Freak" (2011) covers plenty of territory - ranging from the Chic breakthrough to the brutally honest personal life and post-disco work. The detailed chapter on his 1983 collaboration with David Bowie justifies the purchase price. Rodgers' passion for music and survival remains intact.

I became "aware" of Nile Rodgers after reading the liner notes to a Duran Duran album. I quickly learned that some of my favorite songs and bands had been influenced, one way or another, by Nile Rodgers. The ton of the book is both conversational and honest. Mr. Rodgers lived his life and owns every minute of it. I enjoyed this book so much that I read it in a few days. It was that hard to put down.

If you enjoy music and want to be taken on an exciting journey through contemporary music, this is a must read.

Very entertaining man-I knew this would be a good read-was looking for his 1980's antics-that was the years that I was listening to music the most. Would get for anyone who is an 80's music fan and likes to look at the behind the scenes look at what is going on.

I always wanted to read this book , and after watching interviews with Niles on youtube , where he appears so down to earth , decided to make the plunge . Whoa ! Was very shocked to see such a humble dude had such a crazy and unbelievable life . I literally had to keep telling myself I wasn't reading a wild novel, but someone's life story . Truly mind blowing . A really cool movie could come from this book, except no one would believe it really happened . My highest praise for any non-fiction .

Nile caters for us an amazing view of the glittering disco times and interesting snippets of his lifelong producer's work with some of the singers that made the history of the music. For real music lovers. Unmissable!!!!

The synopsis on the back looked fabulous so I started reading. I didn't get more than a couple of chapters in before I got bored and put it down. I thought I would wait a while and try again when I was "in the mood" for a memoir. I picked it up again later and still couldn't get past the first couple of chapters. I just didn't find it engaging at all so I shelved it. Later, my daughter read it and she loved it. So I can't say that there was anything in particuar wrong with the writing or the story - I just couldn't get into it.

Nile caters for us an amazing view of the glittering disco times and interesting snippets of his lifelong producer's work with some of the singers that made the history of the music. For real music lovers. Unmissable!!!!

The synopsis on the back looked fabulous so I started reading. I didn't get more than a couple of chapters in before I got bored and put it down. I thought I would wait a while and try again when I was "in the mood" for a memoir. I picked it up again later and still couldn't get past the first couple of chapters. I just didn't find it engaging at all so I shelved it. Later, my daughter read it and she loved it. So I can't say that there was anything in particuar wrong with the writing or the story - I just couldn't get into it.