Nile Rodgers | Song by Song | Fender

Nile Rodgers' Hitmaker Stratocaster is a true vintage rarity. Featuring a 1960 alder body - smaller and more contoured than the average Strat and refinished in Olympic White by Nile himself, a ’59 maple neck and an uncommon hardtail bridge - this unique instrument became an essential ingredient in Nile’s extraordinary rhythm tones. Watch as Nile plays through some of his top hits and dives into the story behind his iconic guitar. Learn more here: www.fender.com/nile-rodgers-hi...
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Nile Rodgers | Song by Song | Fender
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[@leesoo1999]

smooth,soft, clean and nice his sound

[@Tatted-ne7tu]

I’m about as metal as you get, but man when I hear Nile riffing I always smile.

[@alwaysopen7970]

He's that good. Prince was also a riffmeister.

[@Ogilla]

Noone should be imprisoned in a specific genre of music. Sure, some you will not like, but you can only benefit from having diverse musical tastes and great musical culture. From Abba to Dimmu Borgir, Dogg Pound to Millencolin, Femi Kuti to Yes ; the more you try the more you mind expands!

[@Tatted-ne7tu]

@@alwaysopen7970 And also the best Superbowl Halftime Show ever!!!!!

[@albutcher9152]

Me too!

[@frankpetermann9366]

He makes me like the funk in the 70's.I was only a rocker before.😁

[@RadicalR0nnie]

most relevant guitar player

[@FYMASMD]

No. Maybe to you. Ask him and it’s Jimi Hendrix. And I would agree with that.

[@RadicalR0nnie]

@@FYMASMD bruh do you even know what “relevant” means?? lmaoo

[@surfboarding5058]

He is in my top 5

[@craigdobson9068]

He's too underrated in the publics eye, the man turns everything he's touched to solid platinum and certainly maintained his relevance throughout the decades and I hope he continues on through more.

[@cookdislander4372]

​@@RadicalR0nnieI thought I did. Now you got me stroking my beard pondering life and if I know anything 😂

[@NGH99999]

That was sixteen minutes and thirteen seconds of pure enjoyment.

[@PabloMollAN]

I could listen to Nile for hours. He is really a true living inspiration.

[@skyreadersociety6183]

true, learnt so much by just playing along to chic records for hours

[@richardevans560]

Someone needs to do an in depth interview with this guy because we won't have him forever. An absolute treasure we don't hear enough about, please please please just someone point a camera at him and ask him about music because he is the sort of person we need more of.

[@woodshed_moments]

Though probably not one of my favorite guitarist, he is one of my favorite songwriters and absolutely without question my premier record production influence, Nile Rodgers is just freaking amazing and one of the most prolific producers of the 20th century by far.

[@ScientificZoom]

He knows the mind body soul Talent way beyond, just taking into a parallel universe or a wormhole to visit greatness

[@markkulke4551]

They don’t make them like this anymore, the dude is 70 and still funking out. There’s a lesson in life right there. He still has an infectious energy.

[@richardevans560]

He's brilliant, see him live whereever and whenever you can.

[@Gogs126]

He's a legend but they do make them like this, in every generation. There are so many unbelievably talented artists around now, Anderson Paak is just one that springs to mind.

[@markkulke4551]

@@Gogs126 erm, that just sounds like programmed shite to be fair.

[@bigkeezo]

@@Gogs126 smh no no no

[@michaelweymouth4015]

I’m 62, as a freshman in North Alabama listening to ZZ Top, and Altlanta Rhythm Session, then moved up to Maine listening to Ohio Players and Chic playing my $100 short scale bass. I Wore those two albums out. Chic is a part of my soul and what moves me. I heard it in Stevie Rays solos, Bowie and Daft Punk. It has been Nile all along. Goose Bumps.l

[@sabarsharif2453]

Since 1979 'He's the greatest Dancer'is still my favorite tune

[@hafhou8688]

❤❤❤❤❤ NILE RODGERS, A LIVING LEGEND ! STILL ALIVE AND KICKING AT 71 ! TKS MAN !

[@ciaranocraobhach]

In the era of social media shredders, the fundamentals of groove and rhythm are sorely overlooked and the song itself often forgotten. It's not a matter of technicality - Nile Rodgers is as technical as they come, his jazz knowledge informs his chord voicings. Rather, it's about feel, sitting in the pocket. This is why Nile and Bernard Edwards such had great musical relationship, they nailed the groove. Such great music, so emotive, inventive and timeless.

[@richardevans560]

He understands how music moves the heart. Always has. I can't give any higher praise than that.

[@adamwhitford2177]

Check out Vulfpeck, Cory Wong (and his own band the wongnotes) takes an immense amount of inspiration from this era and the sound. He's a Minneapolis guy and looks to Prince for inspiration a lot as well. I think if anyone is trying to find a modern day guy who respects the rhythm its' hard to overlook Cory.

[@alijanahabdullah]

A movie needs to be made of this legend very soon.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

That's a great idea! I wonder if Nile Rodgers has an autobiography yet?

[@billnorswether3720]

@@giulioluzzardi7632 He released his autobiography in 2011. “Le Freak”. His life story is spellbinding.

[@boomerdell]

Yes, please!

[@alijanahabdullah]

One of my favorite musician / producer of all time. Really under the radar and his contribution to modern pop music is immense.

[@skierpage]

@@billnorswether3720 it's worth reading for his life story and some anecdotes, but Nile's autobiography races through 1978-1980 in only about 25 pages 🙁. I would pay for a day-by-day history of that insanely productive period: C'Est Chic, Risque, Real People, Sister Sledge's We Are Family and Love Somebody Today, Sheila and B. Devotion's King of the World ("Spacer'!!!), and Diana Ross' Diana were all monster albums with too many hits to mention. Did Nile, Bernard Edwards (RIP), Tony Thompson (RIP), and the 10 other musicians and singers in Chic just live at the Power Station studio? "Everybody Dance: Chic and the Politics of Disco" is more detailed but as you can tell from the title it's more sociological than "Here's how they did it?!!!?" I'm a fan of the rest of Nile's career, from his jaw-dropping "Savoir Faire" guitar meltdown, his solo album Adventures in the Land of the Good Groove to his great playing on Alex Bone's "In Dream" last year, great jazz-funk with one of his longest guitar solos.

[@catboyzee]

This dude is IMHO the bridge between James Brown and Prince in terms of funky rhythm guitar playing. When he gets a groove going it is simply relentless and irresistible to dancers. Big respect and thanks to Nile Rodgers; not only for his musical genius, but for his selfless generosity in sharing 'how he did it'. TBH: Even though he's sharing his licks and tricks with the world, I still don't come anywhere near to sounding as good as him or as original...LOL!!!

[@johnhaller7017]

Dirt(rejection) transmutes to gold at the back door of '54. Nile Rodgers the Strat' playing alchemist, comes up a winner.

[@Denis-themenace]

Without Niall, the world of music would never be the same.

[@fasteddievh2072]

This guy is a living legend and is responsible for some of the greatest music ever written. Also seems like a genuine human being. I appreciate that Fender took the time to recognize him. 🔥🙏👍

[@alwaysopen7970]

Modern "Pop" music. I love classical and big band music as well. I imagine he does as well.

[@faziolisp4102]

He's a guitar genius, he brought his guitar style, the Nile Rogers style.

[@pablogonnet6024]

the kick drum in random access memories must be the most exciting instrument recording ever.

[@djblackruss]

You need to do a 2hr special on Nile and Bernard and their entire body of work

[@camilosta]

A real treasure.. Mister Neil Rodgers in a "how to play" but even more than that, "how to feel it". His music wisdom.

[@richardevans560]

I first heard "Le Freak" as a 11 year old, 1978 in South Wales, a damp and dreary coal mining area. It was watching life in black and white and then it switched to colour, like a summer's day every time I listened to it even though it was raining and I absolutely loved it and everything Chic did. As is the way of things music tastes moved on, the radio moved on and started liking other records but in those days you got your info as it was fed to you by the mass media so I did not know "Let's Dance", "Like a Virgin", "We are family", "Roam" and "Love Shack" by the B52s, "Upside Down" and "I'm coming out " by Diana Ross, "Notorious" "Wild boys" and "The Reflex" by Duran Duran, "Higher love" by Steve Winwood and dozens and dozens of other songs I loved had anything to do with a member of Chic. I didn't even know the man's name. I thought they'd gone away. Then while driving 40 years later I heard a radio documentary about Nile. I did a search on the internet and I watched a documentary about Nile. I was absolutely astounded by the level of the man's work and his contribution to music and my happiness through the years. I heard he was in London in 2017 and I bought tickets to watch Chic and Chaka Khan for myself and the wife (we don't go to music events). Let me tell you it was like you'd walked in a burning hot desert for three weeks with no water and then found an oasis of the purest spring water anyone ever tasted. Everyone was dancing, no one cared what they looked like dancing or who was filming them or frankly no one was, they were filming Chic and sending it to their friends. Go and see this man NOW, this year. He won't be here forever. Beg or borrow the money if you have to, you will not forget this man's talent, there should be a 100ft high statue of him and Chic somewhere because when it comes to funky this man, and Bernard (RIP) have it got it going' ON!

[@zingleraster9124]

Hats off Fender. This video is amazing. Amazing musician & producer. Amazing story. Amazing guitar. Amazing hitmaker!!

[@angeldusted1577]

Bootlicker!!

[@timlilly]

Yep, you're absolutely right.

[@alwaysopen7970]

I have two Fenders, a Partscaster and a Warmoth bass both based upon the Fender design. I need to get a real Tele to fill out my herd.

[@ryananthony4840]

I love Nile!

[@ProDrummer]

Nile is a genius, born at the right time with exact the abilities that needed to become one of the greatest musician ever!! That doesn´t happen very often, that´s really rare!

[@patrickfrossard2633]

Respect to this great musician ….

[@rickgiles8426]

I regret discovering Nile's genuis so late in life.

[@thedoc1210]

Nile and Bernard chucking is the purest form of funk. Stripped right down.

[@ratsalad1]

I know that this is an ad, but it was so interesting. It's much more effective than someone just going through the tones and specs - something I wouldn't have even clicked on.

[@hanlihanlihanli]

This video is the best ad ive ever seen lol

[@lllULTIMATEMASTERlll]

Nile Rogers is one of the first names that comes to mind when I think of creative genius.

[@elblopex]

I love the that the chic section starts with vinyl, the bowie section with a cassette player and then daft punk with a CD. Fender content is always on point.

[@RelaxingAmbientMusic-dl5rp]

This man is so eloquent and likeable as well as being super-talented! I love him!

[@miguelpanta]

i could listen for hours

[@pappgergelymatyas693]

That man is almost 70 years old. Still has the energy.

[@Lena-Anna-Bockbier]

Yes, it‘s true: Nile is a living music legend!❤

[@aaronshaffer2414]

I love Nile Rodgers! Only he can turn a loss into a win

[@RockeyToes]

Just saw him tonight opening for Duran Duran. He KILLED it. Brought the house down. What an amazing performer.

[@ajazmin68]

Did he just play guitar or did he sing?

[@RockeyToes]

@@ajazmin68 Both

[@gunnerdee84]

I'm jealous, I would love see Nile and Duran Duran. John T is a hell of a bass player.

[@fuzzylogiceire]

Did Duran Duran get Nile up to play on Notorious, Wild Boys or other songs that he played on their records?

[@asha8859]

How he doesn’t have a MasterClass blows my mind. What a legend.

[@LeMans512]

If ever there was a MASTER CLASS, this is it.

[@thebreakfastmenu]

Nile is as cool as they come

[@MoralesAlex805]

He’s just a special man like all of us. But he was able to share and truly express his emotions in his art.

[@kindface]

I don't know anybody who could make the guitar so beautifully percussive as these guys. The 70s music. Damn....everyone should get to live in the 70s at least once in their conscious lives.

[@fleger974]

Nile Rodgers IS wonderful

[@louisarmstrongsr4834]

He is a musical genius. 💯🔥🔥

[@matthiasscheffler548]

Nile Rodgers rocks!

[@jrfrondelli2023]

I was sitting on the plane at JFK in NY, on my way to Winter NAMM, when Nile (whom I've met many times) walked on, and sat next to me, carrying the "Hitmaker" (he never checks it), the year that Fender debuted the Custom Shop version at the show. I got to examine it closely (I'm a Fender-authorized tech), and man, it is NOT like any other Strat. and Nile isn't like any other guitarist. 😊

[@quantumeseboy]

Nile is one of the reasons I love Strat.

[@vicentcarro]

Nile Rodgers, living ledgend Love him so much

[@mattevans7884]

People fling the word legend about like confetti, these days. But this man, right here? Truly deserving of that title....

[@ngc-ho1xd]

Legendary, this is deeply historically significant.

[@Mr.D34]

It's a crime that Nile Rodgers didn't have a signature Fender Stratocaster till now, considering how respected he is and how well known "The Hitmaker" is.

[@blackheart5116]

that's why i'm a fans of this guy for decades

[@DrowningInDejaVu]

I did not realize how much of his music I am familiar with. What a rock and roll treasure this guy is.

[@enriquegilmour]

This metal head also loves Disco and I love love love Nile Rodgers guitar playing style.

[@DIGITAL7Media]

Seriously. I feel so damn blessed in a guitarist and I’ve been a Fender man my entire life.

[@leonardjohnny67]

Totally unique. In the pantheon of guitar gods who changed music. It’s not about millions of notes, its about music. An artist, a legend.

[@GuilhermeSilva-rp2it]

Nile is notorious

[@RonTimmonsM1]

watching this video and him explaining the studio 54 incident added happiness to my day he turned something negative into positive and added happiness to the world! What a WIN WIN WIN! Much love and respect!

[@747492WW]

Nike Rogers is the master of rhythm guitar, nobody does it like him.

[@tomassabot9180]

Thank you! :)

[@mangezable]

How on earth have I missed this giant? What a genius

[@mixit247]

To this day Le Freak is one of my favorite records and I still play it.

[@missanamarie]

Niles' memory is incredible!

[@BURTBROWN]

EXCELLENT AND INTERESTING LITTLE DOCUMENTARY!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jamesnelson1443]

Niles is so real I’m going to buy this guitar simply because I like him!!

[@shanghaied66]

To say he's legendary is modesty - he's one of the few musicians I've heard that can tap into some unspoken human primordial urge. When you hear him play it's almost an instinctual reaction. You just know it's there and you have to respond - it's almost beyond your ability to choose.

[@Lee-wo3de]

Well said!

[@iannalemme]

this man is a genius

[@mangwolf]

the king Midas of any musical production, Madonna, david bowie, duran duran you name it!!! a true master!!!

[@VisualSOLUTIONSMedia]

Genius

[@emrfelix5041]

i knew it they would talk about one of the best of all time, Get Lucky!

[@christianolmeda]

Living legend. All of the respect.

[@kg4025]

Only 16 minutes? I thought we'll be sitting here till the Lord's Kingdom come, 'cause that man is a freaking music box.

[@Simonewhitesim-1music]

Kids always Yelling Legend. This is a true Legend!!!!!! Thanks, Fender!

[@Tautomeric]

12:19 "...they want to do a record as if the internet never existed" this part slammed me hard.

[@mdleone2000]

Glad this was posted, so many tutorials play this song wrong.

[@hoosierfatha]

A real Genius....He's behind some of the biggest names in music....

[@eazizisaid]

The genius behind Modjo - Lady (Hear me tonight)

[@garibaldi54]

This man is gifted.

[@shinkei01]

I'm here because of his feature with Le sserafim. Watching his videos

[@hunterjumper5892]

Talk about turning adversity into opportunity. Le Freak is impossibile to play just right unles you’re Nile. Insane talent. Bravo to him and Fender for this gift.

[@Deus7447]

The sheer charisma of this man. Incredible.

[@louissanderson719]

Nile is the man

[@1959Berre]

Nile made 'happy' music. Back in the seventies Nile was the greatest. Disco would not have existed without him. Such a nice man.

[@tboysrocknroll9252]

I don't care what genre of music you're into....if you're into music you know when you're hearing greatness....and this man defines that...pure, real talent... although I'm pretty much a rock'n'roll guitarist, I've always been in awe of his style or anyone who can play that funky, choppy chordal style...just something about it that's always appealed to me...shit, now I gotta go learn me some Nile Rodgers....wish me luck...

[@Ladran_Sancho]

I often see geniuses, being mathematicians, musicians, or athletes, create the bulk of their meaningful contributions in their early years. This guy has kept making genius contributions way past that. Truly remarkable.

[@MarriedToTheKGB]

The man is a genius

[@ricardomosquera3601]

Top top recognition for Mr. Nile Rodgers an icon performer and music maker For music history without doubt!!!!

[@fhowland]

Musical genius! I never realized he played on Get Lucky!

[@halohat2286]

That's a living legend right there...

[@mirahsan2]

I've had my fender Stratocaster for over 16 years, I love it

[@fender]

We love hearing stories like this! 🤘🎸🔥

[@davidly8209]

I could watch him explain all of his songs for hours. Please do more!

[@chubakichu3468]

Good to see the legend Nile again.

[@blopartDGRI]

OMG I LIVE FOR THIS VERSION OF "JUST DANCE" !!! 💗 8:36

[@alanthew6490]

Chic fan since the start, just love this video. Even though it’s a promo.

[@joyousracket8767]

This is an amazing piece of musical history…worth it alone fo the great story about how the “ah…Freak Out!” Line from Le Freak come to be. Totally awesome!

[@jeffament9330]

❤️❤️❤️

[@skierpage]

I've heard Nile tell the story many times, but this is the first time I've heard him play and sing the original version. 🎸♥️

[@Jokervision744]

It was probably the best summer ever when I was on get lucky loop, because of radio earmuffs and the constant task of mowing the lawn. Sun shines, it's hot and damn the song just hit the game so that it didn't feel like it was a summer job. Really makes me think of fragments of time, because that job was so mute in other ways than the radio, but it's there as one of the fondest. I felt like I was becoming independent. "get lucky" They found the magical way to forgive himself. Wow cool player. Been giving everyone, and still keeps giving for years to come.

[@thaexception3406]

I had my nicest apartment and dippin’ around in my Cadillac bumpin’ “Get Lucky” during that summer! Great video!

[@ronrobins3513]

To all of you that think Nile is just a good rhythm guitar, don’t forget he basically took the mainstream music industry on his back in the early 80s. David Bowie/Madonna/Thompson Twins/Duran Duran/The B-52’s all got PIVOTAL records from Nile that made them the marquee artists they are today.

[@ColtraneTaylor]

Duran did the debut and Rio all without Nile's help. Duran Duran made themselves.

[@marcropper]

He's not only a "good" rhythm guitarist(I would say a extraordinaire one), he is a great guitar player. He´s great at lead guitar also, and very proficient improvising jazz lines, he's a complete guitarist and musician, able to play different styles like R&B, funk, jazz and rock in a high professional level.

[@gabrielledebourg2487]

@@ColtraneTaylor It was however Nile's remix of "The Reflex" that helped them break into the states. A lot of the other artists mentioned were already established before Nile produced them, but with Nile they produced some of their biggest commercial hits - like The B-52's "Cosmic Thing", Madonna's "Like a Virgin", and Bowie's "Let's Dance".

[@ColtraneTaylor]

@@gabrielledebourg2487 Hungry like the Wolf did that for them and it still is bigger when you consider it has the bigger rock audience that Reflex doesn't. Reflex told many people that Duran were a boyband.

[@ronrobins3513]

@@ColtraneTaylor ok you conveniently leave out the other artists I named. I’m willing grant you Duran Duran (even though “The Reflex remains their BIGGEST SELLING SINGLE) but what about David Bowie/Diana Ross/The Thompson Twins/Madonna. It can’t be understated how important Nile was to deliver a sound that got artist on the radio, and got them into the public mind.

[@thomash.1133]

Thank you Nile for all music you‘ve given to us, see you in Hamburg, 31st of juli 2023

[@johnmcaleese8459]

I'd rather listen to his crazy rhythm and palm nutting than someone shredding on a guitar any day all day. A true artist. Thank you for introducing the man behind that guitar that I loved my entire life.

[@kyledunsmuir556]

What an absolute inspiration. I’m blown away