Who is the bassist for Chic?

[Mike Money]

I ask this because he deserves a medal.

The line to "I want your love" is simplistic genius... it is the greatest line ever... You cannot help but move when you hear it...

[berklee46]

It was Bernard Edwards. Unfortunately, he died several years just after Chic recorded their live CD.

This was posted on The Bottom Line and is how many of us found out:

From: Roger Sadowsky
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 1996 07:49:14 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Bernard Edwards

It is with great sadness that I wish to inform everyone on TBL of the
death of Bernard Edwards. Bernard passed away the other day in his
hotel room in Tokyo. He had been in Japan with Nile Rodgers and CHIC
and had complained of feeling ill earlier in the day. Nile found him
dead in his room. The cause of his death is still unknown, pending an
autopsy. There is a complete obituary in Monday's NY Times.

Bernard had been a friend and customer for over 15 years. He was just
in the shop 2 weeks ago for a set-up in preparation for his trip to
Japan. He always appeared to be in very good health. He was only 43.

My condolences to all of Bernard's family and friends. I will miss him.

Roger Sadowsky

[Woodchuck]

Originally posted by Mike Money
I ask this because he deserves a medal.

The line to "I want your love" is simplistic genius... it is the greatest line ever... You cannot help but move when you hear it...

Check out the solo in "Everybody Dance"! Whoo wee! Also check out "My Forbidden Lover"!

[DWBass]

Bernard Edwards could play 1/16 notes with the best of them including Rocco Prestia! And he played very lyrically. Chic probably would have evolved into some sort of jazz/fusion/funk entity if he was still alive today!

[moley]

What did the cause of death turn out to be?

[Ari]

Originally posted by moley
What did the cause of death turn out to be?

I have read it was some sort of pneumonia, but I'm not sure.

Bernard Edwards is one of my favorite bass players. His playing was really innovative at the time. He had a strong influence... take for example the bass line of "another one bites the dust" by queen... it's very similar to Chic's "good times".

Ari

[DaveBeny]

Originally posted by Ari

He had a strong influence... take for example the bass line of "another one bites the dust" by queen... it's very similar to Chic's "good times".

I remember reading once that John Deacon was friends with Chic and actually watched them record 'Good Times' in the studio.

RIP Bernard - he's one the first bass players I was ever aware of - Chic was one of the bands I've grown up listening to, along with Earth, Wind & Fire etc.

[mcbassdude]

Bernard is one reason I laugh when someone sez Disco Sux! He was groove central. Let's not forget one of the all time classic bass riffs "Good Times" which of couse is Rappers Delight as well. Le Freak was a cool bass groove too! We miss you brother!

Disco had some great talents like Chic, Brothers Johnson, Ohio Players, The Tramps etc.
Peace

[alexclaber]

Fantastic grooves and soooo hard to play as well as he did. I've pretty much got Good Times down but Le Freak still isn't quite there. What bass did he play on those early Chic albums?

Alex

[DaveBeny]

Originally posted by alexclaber
What bass did he play on those early Chic albums?

Alex

The bass most asscoiated with him is a Musicman Stingray, but he also used a Precision (all strung with flatwounds). Those were his studio basses.

Live, I have also seen footage with him using a BC Rich bass with a double-P pickup configuration, as well as an Ibanez Musician.

[DaveBeny]

With the BC Rich bass:

[Brad Johnson]

Originally posted by Mike Money
I ask this because he deserves a medal.

The line to "I want your love" is simplistic genius... it is the greatest line ever... You cannot help but move when you hear it...

To this day he is still on my short list of favorite bassists. The line to "I want your love" just kills me, the syncopation and open notes are pretty much perfect IMO. One of those lines I wish I had come up with. He and Nile Rodgers were a perfect match.

[pyrohr]

For you bassplayers who are into R&B you must hear the ballad "at last I am free". really nice vocal work and Bernard playing a truly melodic bass line. I thik this was on the CHIC album

[The Mock Turtle Regulator]

Originally posted by David Benyahia
(all strung with flatwounds).

in a BP analysis of "Le Freak" with Nile Rodgers they said his Musicman was strung with old roundwounds (which came stock on the bass when he bought it).



his playing is pretty distinctive also on Chic-organisation-produced tracks eg. Diana Ross, Sister Sledge and Carly Simon- I like the bassline on Carly Simon's "why" a lot- very simple, yet very funky.

allmusic's list of artists Edwards worked with-
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p...=R17248#APPEAR

bass with Belouis Some- wow, I wonder if "Imagination" was him.

[Stewmc5222]

the line in "Can't stand to Love You" is just wicked! grooving, playful, tasteful, and tough. killer tone, too!

Bernard Edwards was a masterful pop player and knew exactly how to create a line which made the song flourish without getting in the way of everything else going on.

if anyone remembers the Power Station (John Turner, Tony Thompson, Robert Palmer/Michael DesBarres, Andy Taylor), Bernard came up with John Taylor's one solo line while screwing around in the studio -- just a little improv -- and had to teach it to the once and future Duran man.

from the low end,


Stew

[Stewmc5222]

that's John Taylor not John turner... sorry JT!

from the embarrased low end,

Stew

[jazzbo]

Great thread guys. Here's a guy who's done much more than many of the cats whose names circulate regularly at TB, but he is easily just as influential and talented.

[JimK]

Originally posted by Stewmc5222
...if anyone remembers the Power Station (John Turner, Tony Thompson, Robert Palmer/Michael DesBarres, Andy Taylor), Bernard came up with John Taylor's one solo line while screwing around in the studio -- just a little improv -- and had to teach it to the once and future Duran man.

"Future Duran man"?
Power Station was POST-Duran Duran.
(Tony Thompson was the drummer in Chic, too)


Edwards' funk & tone is also evident on Debbie Harry's "Backfired"...

[Stewmc5222]

hey JimK,

I wrote 'once and future' because Duran took some time off and John was playing for them again years later when they reshuffled things some. that's all.

I mentioned Tony Thompson in the lineup because he was the Chic stickman. I got to catch Power Station live and Tony had the most unbelievable drum sound I'd heard live to that point in my life.

from the low end,


Stew

[jazzbo]

Originally posted by Mike Money
I ask this because he deserves a medal.

Carol Kaye.