Nile Rodgers has kind words for EVERYBODY in his autobiography. For his Chic partner Bernard Edwards with whom they traveled so far together, for Andy Warhol, with whom he shared an emergency room, for his grandmothers Goodie and Lenora, their boyfriends (one of whose was a convicted killer, while another gave him his biggest "high" ever when he tuned his first guitar), for his often not very well behaved siblings, for his mom Beverly, for her boyfriends and lovers, he even has good things to say for (yet another) convicted killer who raped his mother. That, and music. Because the boy had music. And brains. And a mission (shared with his musical partner Bernard) to discover the Deep Hidden Meaning.

The book has a detailed discography and a record of his performances that I found almost textbook-like – not a bad thing because there doesn't seem to be a lot written about him. The cast of characters is a virtual Who's Who of innovative musicians – and in this crowded pool Dolphy stands out. 8. He's a Rebel by Mark Ribowsky As the main creative engine in the 70's-era disco duo Chic, Rodgers wrote and performed Good Times, Le Freak (Freak Out), and countless other platinum hits that NYC dance clubs would simply leave spinning over and over for hours at a time. Nile Rodgers had a complicated, rewarding, and a see-saw-like music production career. And he details that career in Le Freak, which is one of the best autobiographies or biographies you'll ever read.I became very aware of Dolphy aged 17, when he'd already been dead five years – but his music sounded like the future. I found it fitting that the book starts with his death. He was a compulsive, focused, and driven man who suffered from diabetes. I couldn't help but wonder if he had a sense that his days were numbered, hence the compulsivity. As with most autobiographies the book starts with childhood, and Nile describes his drug addict parents, and how he was sent across America to stay with relatives and so on, clearly older than his years, and he developed a love for music which eventually led to his career with Chic, plus as a songwriter and producer. It's a fascinating story and a surprisingly gripping read, and I found myself singing some of those songs to myself as he described their creation. Yes, the book is rather anecdotal at times ("and then we produced Diana Ross... and then I produced David Bowie... and then...") but aren't all autobiographies like that? Completed by Dave McCabe (guitar, lead vocals), Abi Harding (saxophone, vocals) and Sean Payne (drums, vocals), the forthcoming album follows on from the three LPs the multi-platinum selling band released between 2004 and 2008, and is one "born under the weight of family tragedies". With his iconic stature as a true hit-maker, Nile has brought the world such classic songs as Dance, Dance, Dance, Everybody Dance, I Want Your Love, Le Freak (Aw Freak Out!), Good Times, He's The Greatest Dancer, We Are Family, I'm Coming Out, Upside Down, Like A Virgin and Let's Dance, among numerous others. I worked with Dylan on the film Feeling Minnesota and thought I had a good sense of who he is. This book revealed many things I didn't know. Dylan was one of the main spokesmen for the 60s counterculture. He confesses he was reluctantly drafted into this position. His greatest motivation was simply to be a musician/songwriter and earn a living doing so. The Americana he wrote about so passionately were mainly events that had happened long ago – but he wrote about them as if they were "current events". This is a fascinating look into a fascinating musical mind. 4. Beethoven's Letters

During these crazy times, I have indulged myself by finding things I wouldn't have the time for...like finding wonderful shows on YouTube not aired here in the States. One of them is Portrait Artist Of The Year 2020. It is a competition for artists where through a series of "Paint Offs", the final winner is commissioned to paint a portrait for the chosen subject to hang in the infamous Albert Hall. This year's subject is Nile Rodgers.Nile Rodgers is considered one of the most influential producers in the history of popular music, having co-founded 70s band CHIC and produced some of the biggest chart hits performed by Madonna, David Bowie, Duran Duran, Diana Ross and, most recently, Daft Punk. A relaxed trail session means the trail will be adapted to suit those with additional needs such as autism. For example, strong flashing lights, loud sound effects and smoke effects will be temporarily deactivated.

As the Co-founder of CHIC, Nile pioneered a musical language that generated chart-topping hits like "Le Freak", the biggest selling single in the history of Atlantic Records and sparked the advent of hip-hop withDogs are welcome on leads on The Downs and permitted off lead in Silk Wood if well behaved, stay in sight and return when called. Dogs are not permitted in the Old Arboretum. Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny is one of the most engaging, entertaining, profound, and relatable memoirs that I've yet read. 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. Now this "review" is two-fold. First, I can't think of anyone who loves music who wouldn't be interested in an interview/look at Nile and the little nuggets he talks about regarding his career, producing the likes of Diana Ross and Madonna. The episode presenting the end of the competition does just that. You may not know Nile Rodgers' name, but you know his music. In addition to his band Chic, he's written songs for and produced records for a Who's Who of the music world, over the past 4 decades.