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Nile Rodgers: Notorious

Whether running his decades-long disco concern Chic or producing and playing with pals like Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers is in control

Nile Rodgers, of the dance band Chic, has produced or written for such artists as David Bowie, Madonna, Diana Ross, and Keith Urban.
Nile Rodgers, of the dance band Chic, has produced or written for such artists as David Bowie, Madonna, Diana Ross, and Keith Urban.Read moreNile Rodgers Productions

When Nile Rodgers' legendary groove ensemble Chic joins still-cute Brit electro-pop elders Duran Duran on Thursday in Camden, it won't be just an opening gig for the guitarist or his dance band that started in the days of disco.

"They're my boys," Rodgers said heartily from his Manhattan home about Duran, an act that once called itself "Chic meets the Sex Pistols." Rodgers not only produced and played on Duran Duran's 2015 Paper Gods, he did similar duties for their 1986 album, Notorious. "Duran Duran is my second Chic, my other band."

Rodgers could, if he wanted, lay such claim to the hit acts he has produced and/or written for as his flickering rhythmic guitar lines, deep warm bass, and clarion-clear engineering - to say nothing of his sophisticated yet simple melodies - have defined albums by David Bowie (Let's Dance), Madonna (Like a Virgin), Diana Ross (Diana), Keith Urban's new one (Ripcord), and many more.

Along with co-writing Daft Punk's ubiquitous 2013 smash, "Get Lucky," he penned and produced (with his Chic partner, the late Bernard Edwards) Philadelphia's Sister Sledge and their international smash "We are Family" - with Rodgers' acknowledging reverence for all things Gamble & Huff.

"The itch doesn't feel particularly different from artist to artist or record to record," Rodgers said of production/collaborative charges. "When I worked with Keith [Urban], it felt the same as with Bowie or Madonna. They all just bring their different skill sets. I see what it is they got - what they have covered - and I do something else."

That "something else" usually involves the sweat-inducing but sleekly elegant elan that made Chic revolutionary with spirited, lush signature disco moments such as "Good Times" and "Le Freak," as well as spare, emotive ballads such as "At Last I Am Free."

First in the disco '70s, then as inspiration to 21st-century electronic acts such as Daft Punk, Disclosure, and Avicii - all of whom Rodgers has collaborated with - the Chic sound is Rodgers' sound. "We're inseparable, he says. "That sound is me."

Last year, Rodgers was working on a new Chic album based on never-before-heard tracks that he and Edwards had crafted, then lost. "Yes, everything I do or write winds up as a collaboration, but at least 90 percent of those songs are my ideas to start." Chic released "I'll Be There," a song featuring those found elements and new vocals from original Chic chanteuses Alfa Anderson, Luci Martin, and Norma Jean Wright joining forces with their funky former boss.

"That was heartwarming," Rodgers said, "the idea of being able to play with Bernard and Tony [Thompson, Chic's late drummer] again and bring that full circle into the present."

Everything was going full speed ahead with Chic's first album in 23 years - until Rodgers had a revelation. "I was happy to have found those old tapes that I thought were totally lost forever, but here I was, writing all this great new music with guys like Avicci and Disclosure and having a really good time doing so - why would I stop? I just wanted to keep writing new material."

With that, Rodgers scrapped a chunk of the album due for 2015, wrote newer songs, brought in singers Miguel, Janelle Monae, Elton John, Lady Gaga, Michael McDonald, and more, and has conceived of an even-newer Chic album that is due for release this fall.

Part of this race for freshness stems from the fact that, in 2010, Rodgers was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer. Along with changing his lifestyle choices and undergoing treatment, he started a cancer blog called "Walking on Planet C," penned his autobiography, Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny, and decided to make more music than ever.

In July 2013, Rodgers got the all-clear regarding beating his cancer. "My health is great. I'm going to my last doctor's appointments today, and everything has been perfect."

Another thing that has changed for Rodgers' music is the realization of what comes with age.

"What's changed about my playing is that I probably have gotten less intellectual about it all," he said with a laugh. "By now, I don't feel as if I have to keep proving myself. I can just make records with supersophisticated chord changes with a supersimple melody on top without it being something to show that I know them - or not - I can just play what I hear and feel. No pressure. I'm 63 years old. If you don't think I'm good enough . . . don't hire me. If you don't think I can play now . . . I'm probably never going to convince you."

Duran Duran and Chic play at 7 p.m. Thursday at BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd, Camden. Tickets: $29.95 (lawn) to $134.95. Information: 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.