Nile Rodgers on the Magic Behind "I'm Coming Out" | Shred with Shifty Podcast
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When CHIC guitar wizard Nile Rodgers tells Chris Shiflett that he was at Woodstock, Shiflett quips, “You didn’t take the brown acid, did you?” Rodgers grins and chuckles, “I took every color acid they had!”
This is the tongue-in-cheek tenor of the latest episode of Shred With Shifty, a fun, often hilarious conversational romp through Rodgers’ music career. It all started with classical music and woodwinds (specifically the flute and clarinet), but as Rodgers tells it, a major turning point was a chance encounter with a crew of Los Angeles hippies-affectionately called “freaks” in those days of the late ’60s-that led to a two-day LSD party soundtracked by The Doors’ first album.
After he picked up a guitar at 16, he turned to unique jazz pluckers like Django Reinhardt and Wes Montgomery. He followed in their footsteps and played semi-hollow guitars until he met his longtime musical partner and CHIC cofounder, bassist Bernard Edwards, who urged him to pick up a Stratocaster. So it was then that the Hitmaker was born one fateful day in a south Florida guitar shop.
Rodgers gives Shifty the full, eyebrow-raising story of how he and Edwards penned Diana Ross’ hit, “I’m Coming Out.” The duo had tried the song’s drumbeat on many other tracks-they nicknamed it “the hesitation waltz”-but its playful rhythm didn’t land until they wrote the song for Ross. Rodgers explains that his neck-pickup “chucking” on the song, which is most clearly voiced on the highest three strings, was structured around the vocal melody. “I’m a very hook-oriented guy,” says Rodgers. “I believe in reinforcing the thing that I believe is melodically the motif that the house is built on.”
And Rodgers doesn’t shy away from the whole truth about the song’s history. Ross was the first superstar that Rodgers had recorded with, but as he remembers, that didn’t stop him from spinning a little white lie to make sure that “I’m Coming Out” was released.
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Producer: Jason Shadrick
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Video Editors: Dan Destefano and Addison Sauvan
Special thanks to Chris Peterson, Greg Nacron, and the entire Volume.com crew.
Пікірлер: 206
No better endorsement for this show that at the end when someone like Nile Rodgers says “if you want to do it again for another song call me”. Thanks for the content
Nile is the Man. A guitar hero who is also just a hero for everything he is and has done. Thanks, Shifty.
I could listen to him talk for a few more hours, what an amazing career.
Chris is a really great interviewer. That is a rare skill. The story about Diana Ross was amazing. I always imagined the song came out of the New York club scene. Boy, what an understatement. Nile is also a terrific music teacher. How generous he is to let us in to his world. What a cool guy.
Nile is an S Tier human being. The guy is an absolute legend.
Nile is a true professional. A pioneer of music.
The truth in the water - not just making great stuff by accident, killer musician all around plus fantastic arranger . Awesome show!
Nile is a genius.
Hands the best interview you have done yet. Niles is one of the nicest guys ever that is the real secret to his success people just love him because he exudes positive energy. Thank you both for this
Man I love this series! It was so great to just hang out with Niles and pick his brain.
Fabulous ❤😊
Watching Nile talking about his craft is always fascinating
I love love love when songs get broken down like this. Props to Chris for letting the artist do most of the talking. And what can you say about Nile? Living legend, and he just keeps on trucking.
@jbognap
9 ай бұрын
Yeah, this was the most interesting Nile interview I've seen. Glad you let him talk.
@powertrip6426
8 ай бұрын
So many other interviewers could learn from him! Across all media tbh. Ofc you have to keep the interviewee engaged and ask good questions, which he does, but then just let them roll and chat. I love it. Feels way more personable.
@iluvj50
8 ай бұрын
Trucking and chucking!
I’m so glad you interviewed Nile, and your relaxed and genuinely interested way of interviewing really gave him room to tell some awesome stories. I’ll forever love Nile - when Twitter was fairly new and wasn’t a cesspool of polarized politics, I found his account. I asked him a question about a (kinda silly) song he’d released in the mid-80s called “Let’s Go Out Tonight”, the video of which we played in a club I worked at… anyway it’s one of those songs no one else seems to know. To my surprise, he answered me & we had a little back n forth - I was amazed that he actually did that! Not to mention I was always banging Chic and when we did disco nights… the subject of today’s lesson, Sister Sledge, etc were never far away. One of the most supremely talented, accomplished, and humble cats ever. Having to relearn how to play after his bout with cancer, a whole second pass of touring with the “Chic collective” - a never-say die veteran!! ❤
@jamesdemestihas9904
9 ай бұрын
My hometown friend , Rich, is his keyboard player for decades now..... great guys those 2
One of the very best music vids I have EVER seen on YT. I grew up with his music and some of his style, but his overall depth of music & social understanding utterly blew me away.
I love listening to Niles talk about the history of those songs. He was coming up at a time they were inventing this type music and he was one of the main influences of ours. I’m 65 now, played several styles music over the years but listening to Niles talk reminds me growing up in the late 60’s -70’s and how music changed our lives. Thx for inviting Niles and I look forward to his return visit.
This was one of the best interviews I've ever seen. I worked at Electric Lady back in those days but never with Niles. What a humble, cool guy. And great stories
@jasonhuttermusic424
6 ай бұрын
youve got to tell some stories!!
@missingremote4388
5 ай бұрын
The good old days..musically
This is super nerdy and super cool. I can see Nile and Chris becoming really good friends.
Please, bring Nile back soon. I loved this video. Thanks Shifty.
Nile's sound and musical heart is exquisite. He is a properly educated musician, arranger, producer, writer, performer. Phew. C'mon " Thinking Of You " is just one piece of starlight.
Amazing Nile !!! No doubt he is one of the greatest in contemporary music history, a genius and a really cool guy. Thank you Shifty you play guitar great, making an superb career and bringing wonderful guests.
Watching this for the second time, this interview is in my HAPPY PLACE playlist forever now. 🖤🖤🖤
Nile Rodgers is a living genius. Any child of the 70s and 80s and 90s knows his records when you hear them.
Thanks to you and Nile for this great breakdown. This song can be confounding because Nile never plays it the exact same way after he establishes that foundational lick...which is so freeing to play with it once you get it down. I've seen him demonstrate it several times but this is by far the best breakdown.
Definitely make that call and get Niles back! Great insightful interview, both in getting into the weeds of the guitar parts but also the backstory and context of how it got created. Things of beauty don’t just appear out of nowhere, theres always a story and Niles tells them well.
WOW, I noticed so many guitar players want to play like The Gifted and Extreemly Talented Nile Rodgers.
Love love love Nile Rodgers. I’m not even a guitarist, but a drummer. Made my day to watch the talent and enthusiasm oozing out of him.
Brilliant interview of a BRILLIANT MUSICIAN.
Something so satisfying about Nile having a time remembering the nuances and bits of his own masterpiece . Really put a smile on my face. So much music in that man.
That was amazing. I could listen to Nile tracks without any other instruments. So good!
Amazing video! Nile has it all. Brains, charm, dedication and imagination! I have heard him tell his story before but this was extraordinary. Maybe the key was the return to talking about one song. It really could have been any number of songs that he was responsible for but this one worked great!
Nile is such a nice guy, he has been a great inspiration for me. And his rhythm playing still is one of the best.
Man I love Nile so much. So down to earth, such as great player and producer. Huge respect.
This was phenomenal! Nile is such a treasure. Thank you Chris for bringing these to us.
Dude is a straight up musical genius!
Just saw him play all his hits with Chic opening for Duran Duran, and he sounded awesome!
"A hit has many fathers, but a failure is an orphan"..... Very very very true!!!!
What a living legend Nile is, so attentive and generous with his knowledge and memories and Chris is just a natural at letting the conversation flow and listening to the other artists. Such a cool series - great work Chris!
When the creator put out pop musical brains he gave Mr Rodgers something extra. In the year 2000 as I was looking out of the street level window of the gym I worked at in Manhattan, I saw walking down 23rd street Mr Nile Rodgers who seemed to be talking to himself . I very quickly realized there was wire and...he was the first person I ever saw have a headset cell phone conversation.
This was an amazing video with Niles and he really is a legend in the music industry.
@42 minutes it was a huge compliment " yeah you got it"
Another amazing vlog, Chris, with the incomparable Niles Rodgers! Phenomenal! Thank you, Chris!
2 of my favorite players!
Nile is not only legend but he's still doing it TO THIS DAY. That new Idina Menzel song is fire!
Best Premier Guitar video ever.
I’m loving what you are doing here. What I have seen so far has been great. To see and hear what the artist was thinking to get to the great guitar parts they had done is inspiring. You are good at interviewing and I find you are a much better guitar player then what I thought. I don’t want to miss a single artist.
What a great interview.... and guitar workshop all in one!!! Liked & subbed. Thanks so much!
these are fantastic. Chris is the man, could listen and watch him for days, its great fun and always so engaging
Niles Rodgers is a living legend. Great interview and lesson! Thank you so much for a great interview!
thank u so much 4 this «innerview», greeaat!!!
Thank you so much for having Nile on, and selecting this song.
Happy birthday Sept 19th to the great Nile🥰🥳🎉 Always love and seek out his interviews.
I've been having a hard day today and this made it a lot better. You always post at the perfect time, ty
I'll wait for part 2, which hopefully will be very soon. Excellent program with Nile Rodgers. Thank you.❤
This Guy is a Genius, at the highest and top of the levels there is, and among the greats
about dang time, love seeing this kinda stuff
Amazing episode again! So much interesting information in here. Love it 👏
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Love that you are doing this. Guitar lessons from the greats. Eagerly waiting for part 2 w/ Nile.
Amazin to see you learning from Niles. Dude is guitarist for the biggest rock band in he is got that learners mind. That is inspirational.
Brilliant. Thanks.
Y’all rock for doing these videos! ✌🏾❤️🎼 “The more you know…! “
This show is a blessing! Cheers!!
Great player, great stories, my fave so far
Nile is amazing and truly a legend🎸🎸 love this series. Thanks!! Shifty and all the awesome and amazing guests🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
AWESOMNESS! THANKS SHIFTY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Absolute Awesome interview!!❤
Great show concept. Great host. Great guest. This really came together.
One of favorite musicians.
Love Niles he is the Quincy of guitar thanks for doing this!
From Malaysia, Chris / PG, this series is God sent! Cheers y'all! 🍻
About to watch the video. When Nile comes to mind...Studio54 and David Bowie stories on their own deserve a documentary❤
Great interview with one of my two favorite guitarists.
What a fantastic guy Nile is! Excellent interview Chris! I guess I'll be playing a strat tonight.
Awesome interview with a real genius.
Fantastic interview, great job!
Incredible video!!
When I first saw you’d be talking to Nile I was sure it’d be about one of his hits with Chic like Le Freak or Good Times or when he did Let’s Dance with David Bowie or Get Lucky with Daft Punk so it’s definitely a surprise to see Diana Ross, it is a classic song so great interview as always Chris
@StratsRUs
9 ай бұрын
Thinking Of You is his greatest.
Dude I love these!!!!
Very cool! Thanks!! 👍🏽
What an incredible video! Nile Rodgers is totally amazing and beyond impressive. His list of credits is unimpeachable.
Brilliant interview guys…. Just loved this upload 🔥🔥🔥
I love it 🤘🏼
Really enjoyed this one
Absolute legend, what a cool Dude too!!
Awesome!
SUPERB
This is what KZread is for. Thank you!
whoa! didnt know Shifty have a podcast, good to know, Nile is a Legend
Awesome! What an interesting guy!
This was le Freakin' awesome 🙌🎸❤️🔥
Love your channel Nile Rodger is such a cool and talented dude
Nile is the best. Met and hung-out with him several times in NYC = cool, humble guy. He's played on More Hit Sings then any musician on the planet. He is a phenomenal guitarist. Listen to the extended version of the Chic track: "So Fine" oNe LovE from NYC
Man! You nailed it sir 😊 Damn
Excelente' & Magneefeeko... (Thanx so very much)
very nice!
Holy shit how good was this
Thanks!
I just ordered some parts to build myself a strat. The one guitar that I don't own. This video pushed me to get this going. Going to make the body out of alder, neck will be maple with a rosewood board. This video is fantastic. Really inspiring. 👏🏼🤘🏼👏🏼🙌🏼
Just found you channel…..love it! 👏👏👏
@premierguitar
7 ай бұрын
Thanks for subbing!
This is the kind of guitar nerding out I love to see: the kind with none of the PR and just the star and their guitar. Nile was great! I can’t wait for more with him. I would have loved to see EVH on here. What about Paul McCartney?