Bernard Edwards

Bernard Edwards was an American bass player singer songwriter and record producer known primarily for his work in disco music with guitarist Nile Rodgers with whom he cofounded the band Chic Edwards bass lines not only dominated Chics sound and the latter Disco era but also became foundational for the beginnings of HipHop including the genres first hit Rappers Delight in which Edwards bass line from Good Times was reproduced by studio musicians for the Sugarhill Gangs rappers to rap over As music tastes changed Edwards and Rogers moved into music production with Edwards contributing to major hits for Diana Ross Sister Sledge Debbie Harry and Johnny Mathis among others The two occasionally produced acts together as well Chic and Edwards in particular were a major influence on the band Duran Duran especially on bassist John Taylor to whom Edwards became a mentor Edwards was also responsible for the formation of supergroup The Power Station assembling half of Duran Duran John and Andy Taylor vocalist Robert Palmer and his Chic drummer Tony Thompson leading to major hits Some Like It Hot and a cover of Get It On Bang A Gong Edwards also produced solo albums for Robert Palmer starting with his breakthrough album Riptide In 1992 Chic reformed and released the album Chicism to considerable success On a tour in Japan in 1996 Bernard Edwards had fallen ill eventually determined to be pneumonia but refused to cancel the gig During the gig he momentarily blacked out several times during the show and after the show ended he announced that he was going back to his hotel to get some sleep He was found dead in his hotel room by his musical partner Nile Rogers the next day at the age of 43