Bernard Edwards
| Bernard Edwards | |
|---|---|
Edwards with Nile Rodgers (left) and Chic at the end of the 1970s
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| Background information | |
| Born |
October 31, 1952 Greenville, North Carolina United States |
| Died | April 18, 1996 (aged 43) Tokyo, Japan |
| Genres | R&B, Funk, Soul, Disco |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, record producer |
| Instruments | Bass guitar |
| Years active | 1972–1996 |
| Labels | Atlantic |
| Associated acts | Chic, The Power Station |
| Notable instruments | |
| Music Man StingRay, Fender Jazz Bass | |
Bernard Edwards (October 31, 1952 – April 18, 1996) was an American bass player, singer, songwriter and record producer, both as a member of the funk/disco band Chic and on his own projects.
Edwards, who was born in Greenville, North Carolina, and grew up in Brooklyn, New York City, met Nile Rodgers in the early 1970s. The two formed the Big Apple Band (active 1972–1976) and then united with drummer Tony Thompson to eventually form Chic together with singer Norma Jean Wright.
With Chic (active 1976–1983), Edwards created era-defining hits such as "Dance, Dance, Dance", "Everybody Dance", "Le Freak", "I Want Your Love" and "Good Times". Edwards also worked with Nile Rodgers to produce and write for other artists, using Chic to perform everything musically and vocally except lead vocals. Those productions with Norma Jean Wright, Sister Sledge, Sheila and B. Devotion, Diana Ross, Johnny Mathis, Debbie Harry and Fonzi Thornton led to more hits such as "Saturday", "He's The Greatest Dancer", "We Are Family", "Spacer", "Upside Down", "I'm Coming Out" and "Backfired". In the song "We Are Family," Kathy Sledge gives Edwards a brief shout-out, singing "Yeah, come on Bernard, play...play your funky bass, boy!". As a lone songwriter/producer, he gave Diana Ross her Top 15 hit, "Telephone" off of her 1985 platinum "Swept Away" album released on RCA and Ross' international label, Capitol-EMI.
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