Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny [Anglais] [Relié]

An excerpt in the New York Times magazine had me excited to read this autobiography, in which Nile Rodgers maintains a bemused and conversational tone. He was born to a 13 year-old mother, raised by an assortment of relatives, and ran around both coasts as a skinny, brainy, insomniac, asthmatic child with a gift for music and a knack for survival. Dealers, users, hit men all make appearances, and are taken in stride as just part of his young life.

Even if he hadn't become the successful artist and producer, his early years make for a great story, though he bounces around a bit in the telling of it. The book really comes to life when Rodgers talks about his role in the rise of disco and the world of the New York dance club scene. That part of the story reads like the fall of the Roman Empire, a last-days bacchanal.

When disco "died" (though of course, as Rodgers points out, it never really did), he could have retired forever on his earnings, but he brought his music back working as a hit-maker for artists like David Bowie, INXS, Duran Duran, Madonna, and more. He offers his experience with of music's heavy hitters, and his portraits of David Bowie, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Madonna are candid and believable. He's not dropping names; he's just talking candidly about his friends. His portraits are honest but diplomatic. In other words, even while discussing drug binges or wild times, Nile Rodgers is a gentleman.

I remembered while reading this that my sister had met him years ago while he was producing the first Dan Reed Network record in NY. She said he was quiet, funny, brilliant, and that he never seemed to sleep. He told her the pretty guys with the braids weren't doing the singing for Milli Vanilli, and I remember being shocked by that. I was impressed that she'd met him, but I really didn't understand just how impressive Nile Rodgers is until I read this book. He imparts a list of accomplishments that is mind-boggling, but he keeps that same relaxed, easy, humble tone, as if he's as surprised as anyone else by how much he's managed to accomplish.

His life's work is staggering in amount and diversity, and this book is fascinating.

I'm not here to praise disco or to bury it. I lived through it and danced quite a bit if I remember... back then I didn't worry about who produced what or who wrote this or that, but even I knew of Nile Rodgers. I was even more aware of him as the eighties wore on and knew that he was responsible for some monster albums (as we called them in the olden days). He was just `that' guy who worked with everyone who was anyone or who would soon be anyone. Just as he was responsible for so many songs that make you tap your toes or rock your hips even against your will. You can't help it. He even wrote We Are Family. I'll try to forgive him.

His memoir is written with great humor and verve. With his life starting the way it did this book needs the humor. He doesn't get bogged down in the minute details that kill so many memoirs, it reads like a dream. And if you're in your, uh, late youth, it will read a little like a history of your party days although certainly he partied harder, if not the best.

In the first part of the book you will want to rescue this little awkward boy from his family and give him cookies and a warm bed. But, is this childhood what made him great? If he had been cared for and taken care of would he had gone out on his own and discovered his genius? Do you forgive a mother who simply didn't seem to be able to live the `normal' life? He does, with awesome grace.

What about the drugs and alcohol? Did they mold him into a musical virtuoso? Or would he have found even greater success without them? He makes no apologies for the excess. As he said, he loved drugs. They just didn't return the favor. Though he does apologize for being a walking cliché. Accepted. You were, after all, kind of the template for that lifestyle.

He drops a few names but who can blame him? He was flying first class most of the way. Until the final drug induced haze that reads like a bad dream. Was it a dream? What really happened and what was twisted in his brain? I'll wager that this book will give you new respect for the man and his ability to reinvent himself from a groovy hippie to a party monster, hit maker and now a charitable man who is facing one of his biggest struggles.

Mr. Rodgers, great job on the book. May this be act thirty or so in your long life.

Nile Rodgers.

Along with the late Bernard Edwards, the architect of the "Chic Sound" that dominated the late seventies.

A biography.

A movement.

A time where Nile (and Bernard) took us musically where we'd never been before.

Nile, with great clarity, gives us the details in which he came into this world, and how, ulitmately, music came into his world - and for people like me, being ever-the-more grateful for it!

As in many biographies, there are the high points and low points, the successes and failures - which is to be expected. Nile shows that, as in life, "the show goes on - get on with it!"

I will not provide any spoilers on this review. I'll leave that to the others. I feel privileged that, as a member of Amazon Vine, that I got a first peek at Mr. Rodger's story. A true, American rags-to-riches story that which I hope that others can learn.

The writing style worked, it's as if Nile was sitting in the room with you, having a casual conversation! Good job! I read this in 2.5 days (I DO have to work!)

Overall a great story - thanks, Mr. Rodgers!

I rate "Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny" five stars!

Personal Note:

Understand. If it sounds like I'm biased, it's true. I am a "Chic Freak." I can recall exactly where I was when I heard Chic's "Le Freak" for the first time. It as a Friday evening (6:45pm). I was coming home from work and was on the downhill portion of La Cienega Blvd., passing what would eventually be called "Kenneth Hahn" Park (named after the multi-term Los Angeles County Supervisor). I heard the "awwwwwwwwwwwww Freak out!" coupled with Nile Rodgers guitar licks and was HOOKED before the main body of the song began.

I LOST MY MIND!

I was determined, then and there, to get a copy. Normally, as I was working full time and attending school full time, I slept-in on Saturdays. NOT THIS TIME. It was now my mission in life to get my copy. I was up first thing and had to wait for the local record store (Big Ben's Records and Tapes) to open and get mine! I brought it home and wore the wax out! Stylish, appealing, R&B Dance music. It had nothing to do with the "Disco" moniker that was hung on it. One of the most significant albums ever set to wax. Music of my life! Even better, it was just the beginning...

Stay strong, Mr. Rodgers (and hang in there!!)

End Personal Note.