View source for Bernard Edwards

{{Short description|American bassist (1952–1996)}}
{{for|the American football player|Bernard Edwards (American football)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name             = Bernard Edwards
| image            = Bernard edwards bassist.jpg
| caption          = 
| birth_name       =
| alias            =
| birth_date       = {{birth date|1952|10|31}}
| birth_place      = [[Greenville, North Carolina]], U.S.
| origin           =
| death_date       = {{death date and age|1996|04|18|1952|10|31}}
| death_place      = [[Tokyo]], Japan
| genre            = {{hlist|[[Rhythm and blues|R&B]]|[[funk]]|[[Soul music|soul]]|[[disco]]|[[Rock music|rock]]}}
| occupation       = {{hlist|Bassist|songwriter|record producer}}
| instrument       = {{hlist|Bass guitar|vocals}}
| years_active     = 1972–1996
| label            = [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
| website          = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
}}

'''Bernard Edwards''' (October 31, 1952 – April 18, 1996) was an American bassist and record producer, known primarily for his work in disco with musician [[Nile Rodgers]], with whom he co-founded [[Chic (band)|Chic]]. In 2017, Edwards was selected as the 53rd greatest bassist of all time by ''[[Bass Player (magazine)|Bass Player]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/the-100-best-bass-players-of-all-time|title=The 100 Greatest Bass Players of All Time|website=Guitarworld.com|date=January 9, 2020 |access-date=February 18, 2020}}</ref>

==Biography==
Edwards was born in [[Greenville, North Carolina]], and grew up in [[Brooklyn]], New York, where he met [[Nile Rodgers]] in the early 1970s. At the time, Edwards was working at a post office with the mother of Rodgers's girlfriend.<ref name="htmiitmb">{{cite episode|title=Episode 1|series=Nile Rodgers: How to Make It in the Music Business|airdate=25 August 2018|network=[[BBC4]]}}</ref> The two formed the Big Apple Band (active 1972–1976) and then united with drummer [[Tony Thompson (drummer)|Tony Thompson]] to eventually form Chic together with singer [[Norma Jean Wright]].

With Chic (active 1976–1983), Edwards created era-defining hits such as "[[Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)|Dance, Dance, Dance]]", "[[Everybody Dance (Chic song)|Everybody Dance]]", "[[Le Freak]]", "[[I Want Your Love (Chic song)|I Want Your Love]]" and "[[Good Times (Chic song)|Good Times]]". Edwards also worked with Nile Rodgers to produce and write for other artists, using Chic to perform everything musically and vocally except lead vocals. Those productions with [[Norma Jean Wright]], [[Sister Sledge]], [[Sheila (and) B. Devotion|Sheila and B. Devotion]], [[Diana Ross]], [[Johnny Mathis]], [[Debbie Harry]] and [[Fonzi Thornton]] led to more hits such as "Saturday", "He's The Greatest Dancer", "[[We Are Family (song)|We Are Family]]", "Spacer", "[[Upside Down (Diana Ross song)|Upside Down]]", "[[I'm Coming Out]]" and "Backfired". In the song "We Are Family," Kathy Sledge gives Edwards a brief shout-out, singing "Yeah, come on Bernard, play...play your funky bass, boy!". As a lone songwriter/producer, he gave [[Diana Ross]] her Top 15 hit, "Telephone" from her 1985 platinum "[[Swept Away (Diana Ross album)|Swept Away]]" album released on [[RCA Corporation|RCA]] and Ross' international label, [[Capitol Records|Capitol-EMI]].

Edwards released a solo album, ''Glad to Be Here'' in 1983, and in 1985 he was instrumental in the formation of the [[Supergroup (music)|supergroup]] [[The Power Station (band)|the Power Station]]. The band's first album was produced by Edwards and featured Chic drummer [[Tony Thompson (drummer)|Tony Thompson]], and [[Duran Duran]] members [[John Taylor (bass guitarist)|John]] and [[Andy Taylor (guitarist)|Andy Taylor]] as well as singer [[Robert Palmer]]. Edwards followed this by producing Robert Palmer's hit album ''[[Riptide (album)|Riptide]]''. He continued to produce artists throughout the 1980s and 90s, including Diana Ross, [[Adam Ant]], [[Rod Stewart]], [[Jody Watley]], [[Grayson Hugh]], [[Air Supply]], [[ABC (band)|ABC]] and Duran Duran.

Edwards was the father of multi-platinum record producer [[Focus...|Bernard "Focus..." Edwards, Jr.]] who has produced songs for [[Jennifer Lopez]], [[Beyoncé]], [[Busta Rhymes]], [[Bishop Lamont]], [[Tony Yayo]] and more.

Edwards teamed up with Nile Rodgers again for the Chic reunion in the early 1990s and released the album ''[[Chic-Ism]]'' in 1992.

==Death==
In 1996, Edwards and Nile Rodgers were in Japan participating in "J.T. Super Producers '96," a concert series sponsored by [[Japan Tobacco]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Flick |first=Larry |date=1996-05-04 |title=Chic Co-Founder Bernard Edwards Dies At Age 43 |pages=12, 96 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-05-04.pdf |access-date=2023-11-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008155816/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-05-04.pdf |archive-date=2023-10-08}}</ref> Just before the concert at the [[Nippon Budokan|Budokan]] Arena in Tokyo, Edwards fell ill, but despite Rodgers' insistence, refused to cancel the gig. He managed to perform but had to be helped at times. At one point, Edwards blacked out for a few seconds before resuming his playing. Rodgers assumed the absence of bass was a deliberate improvisation and did not learn the truth until after the show. After the concert, Rodgers went to check on Edwards and asked how he was doing, to which he replied "I'm fine, I just need to rest." This was the last time Rodgers spoke to Edwards.<ref>Nile Rodgers (2012). Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco and Destiny. L.A:</ref> Edwards retired to his hotel room where he was later found dead by Rodgers.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/22/arts/bernard-edwards-43-musician-in-disco-band-and-pop-producer.html |title=Bernard Edwards, 43, Musician in Disco Band and Pop Producer |first=Neil |last=Strauss |author-link=Neil Strauss |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 22, 1996}}</ref> The medical examiner determined the cause of death was [[pneumonia]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Walker|first1=Toby|title=Bernard Edwards|url=http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Bernard%20Edwards.html|website=SoulWalking|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref> Edwards's final performance was issued in 1999 as the album ''[[Live at the Budokan (Chic album)|Live at the Budokan]]''.

==Influence==
His bass line from the Chic hit "Good Times" has become one of the most copied pieces of music in history, and had a huge influence on musicians of many [[music genre|genres]] when released and was the inspiration for "[[Another One Bites the Dust]]" by [[Queen (band)|Queen]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Obituary: Bernard Edwards |first=Pierre |last=Perrone |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-bernard-edwards-1306966.html |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |date=April 27, 1996}}</ref>

"Good Times" was credited on [[Sugarhill Gang]]'s "[[Rapper's Delight]]" in 1979 (the vinyl label reads "based on the music from the song 'Good Times' N. Rogers / B. Edwards") – the first [[hip hop music|rap]] song to become a mainstream hit. The following decades saw it sampled by artists of diverse genres, from rap to [[Punk rock|punk]] and [[techno]] to [[Pop music|pop]]. [[Duran Duran]] bassist [[John Taylor (bass guitarist)|John Taylor]] often played the song in homage during his solo performances and cited Edwards as his primary influence.

Edwards was nominated for four [[Grammy Awards]] for his work with Chic, Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, and Robert Palmer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/bernard-edwards|title=Bernard Edwards|date=May 22, 2018|website=Grammy.com|access-date=February 18, 2020}}</ref>

On September 19, 2005, Edwards was honored posthumously for his outstanding achievement as a producer, when he was inducted into the [[Dance Music Hall of Fame]] at a ceremony held in New York.<ref name="billboard">{{cite web|last1=Mason|first1=Kerri|title=Dance Music Hall Of Fame 2005 Inductees|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1408624/exclusive-dance-music-hall-of-fame-2005-inductees|publisher=Billboard.com|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-date=January 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101214454/http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1408624/exclusive-dance-music-hall-of-fame-2005-inductees|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Selected discography==
===Chic===
* ''[[Chic (album)|Chic]]'' (1977)
* ''[[C'est Chic]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Risqué (album)|Risqué]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Real People (album)|Real People]]'' (1980)
* ''[[Take It Off (album)|Take It Off]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Tongue in Chic]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Believer (Chic album)|Believer]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Dance, Dance, Dance: The Best of Chic]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Chic-Ism]]'' (1992)
* ''[[The Best of Chic, Volume 2]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Live at the Budokan (Chic)|Live at the Budokan]]'' (1999)

===Solo===
* ''Glad to Be Here'' (1983)

===Production===
* ''[[Norma Jean (album)|Norma Jean]]'', [[Norma Jean Wright]] (1978)
* ''[[We Are Family (album)|We Are Family]]'', [[Sister Sledge]] (1979)
* ''[[King of the World (album)|King of the World]],'' [[Sheila (and) B. Devotion|Sheila and B. Devotion]] (1980)
* ''[[Love Somebody Today]]'', Sister Sledge (1980)
* ''[[Diana (album)|diana]]'', [[Diana Ross]] (1980)
* ''[[I Love My Lady]]'', [[Johnny Mathis]] (1981, released in 2017)
* ''[[Koo Koo]]'', [[Debbie Harry]] (1981)
* unknown title, Fonzi Thornton (1982) (unreleased)
* ''[[Swept Away (Diana Ross album)|Swept Away]]'', Diana Ross (1984)
* ''[[The Power Station (album)|The Power Station]]'', [[The Power Station (band)|The Power Station]] (1985)	 
* "A View to a Kill" (single), [[Duran Duran]] (1985)
* ''[[The Heat (Nona Hendryx album)|The Heat]]'', [[Nona Hendryx]] (1985)
* ''[[Riptide (album)|Riptide]]'', [[Robert Palmer]] (1985)
* "[[Round, Round (Belouis Some song)|Round, Round]]", [[Belouis Some]] (1985)
* ''[[Cocker (album)|Cocker]]'', [[Joe Cocker]] (1986)
* ''[[Color in Your Life]]'', [[Missing Persons (band)|Missing Persons]] (1986) 	 	 
* ''Hearts in Motion'', [[Air Supply]] (1986)
* ''[[Alphabet City (album)|Alphabet City]]'', [[ABC (band)|ABC]] (1987)
* ''If'', Hollywood Beyond (1987)	 
* ''[[Contact (Platinum Blonde album)|Contact]]'', [[Platinum Blonde (band)|Platinum Blonde]] (1987)
* ''[[Jody Watley (album)|Jody Watley]]'', [[Jody Watley]] (1987)
* ''[[Out of Order (Rod Stewart album)|Out of Order]]'', [[Rod Stewart]] (1988) 	 
* ''Under the One Sky'', [[Distance (band)|Distance]] (1989)
* ''Step into the Heat'', [[James Freud]] (1989)
* ''YUI Orta'', [[Ian Hunter (singer)|Ian Hunter]]/The Hunter Ronson Band (1990)
* ''Break the Silence'', [[The Triplets (band)|The Triplets]] (1990)
* ''[[Vagabond Heart]]'', [[Rod Stewart]] (1991)
* ''[[Persuasion (Adam Ant album)|Persuasion]]'', [[Adam Ant]] (1991) (unreleased)
* ''Road to Freedom'' (Grayson Hugh album), [[Grayson Hugh]] (1992)
* ''[[Living in Fear]]'', [[The Power Station (band)|The Power Station]] (1996)

== Collaborations ==
* ''[[KooKoo]]'' – [[Debbie Harry]] (1981)
* ''[[Let's Dance (David Bowie album)|Let's Dance]]'' – [[David Bowie]] (1983)
* ''[[Hearts and Bones]]'' – [[Paul Simon]] (1983)
* ''[[Like a Virgin (album)|Like a Virgin]]'' – [[Madonna]] (1984)
* ''[[Riptide (album)|Riptide]]'' – [[Robert Palmer]] (1985)
* ''[[She's the Boss]]'' – [[Mick Jagger]] (1985)
* ''[[Cocker (album)|Cocker]]'' – [[Joe Cocker]] (1986)
* ''[[She (Dalbello album)|She]]'' – [[Dalbello]] (1987)
* ''[[Out of Order (Rod Stewart album)|Out of Order]]'' – [[Rod Stewart]] (1988)
* ''[[Move to This]]'' – [[Cathy Dennis]] (1990)
* ''[[Vagabond Heart]]'' – [[Rod Stewart]] (1991)
* ''[[A Spanner in the Works]]'' – [[Rod Stewart]] (1995)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{AllMusic |class=artist |id=p17248}}
*{{Discogs artist}}
*{{IMDb name|0249821}}
*{{Find a Grave|9180740}}

{{Chic}}
{{The Power Station}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, Bernard}}
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:1996 deaths]]
[[Category:American rhythm and blues bass guitarists]]
[[Category:Record producers from North Carolina]]
[[Category:Songwriters from North Carolina]]
[[Category:American funk bass guitarists]]
[[Category:American male bass guitarists]]
[[Category:African-American guitarists]]
[[Category:Guitarists from North Carolina]]
[[Category:People from Greenville, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Chic (band) members]]
[[Category:The Power Station (band) members]]
[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia in Japan]]
[[Category:American disco musicians]]
[[Category:African-American film score composers]]
[[Category:American session musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:20th-century American bass guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:African-American songwriters]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American musicians]]
[[Category:American male songwriters]]
[[Category:20th-century American songwriters]]
[[Category:Distance (band) members]]