Le Freak: The Life and Times of Nile Rodgers Paperback – 20 Oct. 2011

The best book I've read in ages. Just when you thought you'd heard about every blowout & excess that the Music Industry has to offer, Nile comes along with this tome & tops everything I've ever read just on the grounds of how early the debauchery started. In all seriousness I am amazed that Nile ever made it to his teens! Never mind the fact that he remained cognisant, skilled & prolific enough to arguably write, produce & perform some of the best & most memorable music of the whole disco era, but he also made many more waves beyond this period in his career as a music producer (David Bowie - Let's Dance album, Madonna - Like a Virgin album are probably the two most notable examples of his production work). Not merely a book about an amazing Musician, but more a book about an amazing life. Well worth a read simply on the strength of the mad antics of his dysfunctional family. BRILLIANT!!

I purchased this book for my sister as she has been a lifetime fan of Nile Rodgers' music and we were going to see Nile and Chic Feat at the Love Supreme jazz festival in Glynde. Before I gave the book, I must confess I thought I would just take a peek, but found his life story compelling and easy style of writing reflected his easy going, uplifting nature with a wonderful soul, despite all the bad times. This book is a real page turner - I couldn't put the book down. Nile is mesmerizing on stage and his dynamic, slick performance is outstanding, Chic Feat musicians were so talented the singers were true stars in the making, fab voices. My sister was invited on stage to dance with Nile at Love Supreme - an amazing memory and one we will treasure forever. Nile is a true inspiration - lets disco party and celebrate this highly talented and creative musician. Read this book and you will be staggered who Nile has written music for over the decades; David Bowie, Diana Ross, Sister Sledge, Daft Punk - the list is as endless as his music is forever with us. "Like the legend of the phoenix it all ends with beginnings". Nile continues to bravely fight cancer. BIG HUGS AND KISSESXXX.

I used to see Mr Rodgers all the time on music documentaries, always commenting on bands and entertainers from NKOTB to Jimi Hendrix as an avid music lover I was captivated by his all encompassing knowledge of the different genres. So when I came across this book I thought I'd buy it to find out a bit of background about this gentleman who was seemingly on every BBC music documentary, ALWAYS a guest commentator on any of those "best..." "top..." "how..." music shows.WOW!!!! Am I glad I'm such a curious person!This is a fantastic book Mr Rodgers modesty makes me respect him even more, this guy is a true genius, literally THE hit-maker, because even up to today, there is barely a hit song without him being involved.He shows that with practice, dedication and commitment anything is possible, I had no idea of his background before I read this book; but he shows clearly that if you choose to, you can exceed your environment and become great. I feel Mr Rodgers genius is not fully appreciated or lauded due to his African heritage, he is the King maker of music and deserves to be crowned as such.

I was a little too young to appreciate Chic back in the day, being maybe 6 or 7 years old at the time, but since then I've grown to love their music, especially the likes of "Freak Out!" and "Everybody Dance". What I didn't realise however was what an interesting and sometimes harrowing life Nile Rodgers has had.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?If I was to criticise the book does seem to end rather suddenly, with Nile's cancer diagnosis (literally on the last page, along the lines of "yesterday I was told I had cancer, and I'm going to see the doctor today.") but as this diagnosis was some time ago - 2010 - I'm surprised there was nothing more after this, maybe an afterword, or an extra bit added to the text to say what happened next, but that aside it was a thoroughly entertaining read. If you like music biographies and enjoy Nile's work, give it a go.

Prachtig boek over een prachtige artiest, weliswaar in het Engels.

Trotzdem das Buch in englischer Sprache ist,machte es Spaß es zu lesen.Genialer Musiker und Produzent und für mich als Kind der 80er ein must habe. War sehr interessant mehr über den Hintergrund zu wissen.

Great Book

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book . It was interesting to read about Nile’s life as a youngster

An excellent book by an interesting and very intelligent guy. Nile Rogers takes music seriously, but is personally as far away from pretentious as is imaginable. A man with great musical skill, terrific instincts and a fascinating story to tell. Personally, I was among the "Death to Disco" crowd but it is simply impossible not to respect Nile Rogers if you love music, appreciate talent and value passion. What really struck me was that both Roxy Music and KISS (of all bands) strongly influenced Nile's vision for his band CHIC. Although he says he was awkward and insecure at times he has led an enviably glamorous life. And although blessed with truly remarkable talents, he is generous with his praise of others.I have ready many "rock star" bios and have enjoyed them very much, but it must be said that this book is probably the best written of them all. Nile's voice comes through the words on the page as if he's telling you his story over a beer on the patio. I'd like to shake his hand someday.