CHIC Members, Gear & Sound

US disco group

Genre

Dance-pop Contemporary R&B Disco Funk Quiet Storm Post-disco Motown R&B Soul synth funk

Members

Select a CHIC band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Nile Rodgers

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Composer

Groups:

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes The Honeydrippers We Are Family Collective Material Outloud NHS Voices The Chic Strings Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers

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Bernard Edwards

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

The Power Station Sister Sledge Distance The Chic Strings The Distance Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers

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Omar Hakim

Roles:

Drummer Keyboardist Composer Music Producer

Groups:

Dire Straits Journey Weather Report David Bowie (band) Madonna The Great Jazz Trio Jack Sass Band John Scofield Band Miles Davis (solo) Herbie Hancock (band) Sting The Sunday Night Band David Sanborn (band) Marcus Miller (band) Mike Mainieri Quintet

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Jerry Barnes

Roles:

Bassist Composer Music Producer

Groups:

We Are Family Collective Juicy

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Ralph Rolle

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Ralph Rolle & Phony Four MC's

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Richard Hilton

Roles:

Keyboardist

Groups:

We Are Family Collective

Needs more gear

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Luci Martin

Roles:

Singer

Groups:

Rainbow Brown Next Step

No gear added

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Luther Vandross

Roles:

Composer Music Producer

Groups:

Change

No gear added

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Norma Jean Wright

Roles:

Singer

Groups:

State of Art Next Step

No gear added

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Alfa Anderson

Roles:

Singer

Groups:

Next Step

No gear added

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Jessica Wagner-Cowan

Roles:

Singer

Groups:

Envy Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul The Twisted Brown Trucker Vinyl Revival

No gear added

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Mac Gollehon

Roles:

Singer Composer

Groups:

Duran Duran Alfonia Tims And His Flying Tigers Jersey Artists for Mankind Mac Gollehon’s Smokin’ Section Lester Bowie’s Brass Fantasy Mac Gollehon & The Hispanic Mechanics New Pulse Jazz Band

No gear added

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Fonzi Thornton

Roles:

Singer

No gear added

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Diva Gray

Roles:

Singer

No gear added

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Kimberly Davis
No gear added

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Jenn Thomas

Roles:

Singer

No gear added

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Tony Thompson

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

The Power Station Crown of Thorns (Rock) The Distance

No gear added

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Jessica Wagner

Roles:

Singer

Groups:

Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul The Twisted Brown Trucker Vinyl Revival

No gear added

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Gerardo Velez

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Gypsy Sun and Rainbows We Are Family Collective

No gear added

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Sylver Logan Sharp

Roles:

Singer

No gear added

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Milton Gerry Barnes

Groups:

Juicy

No gear added

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About

CHIC is an iconic American band that emerged in 1976, known for revolutionizing the disco and funk genres with their sleek, rhythmic sound. The group was founded by Nile Rodgers (guitar) and Bernard Edwards (bass), whose partnership became a defining force in the music industry. Their line-up has featured various talented musicians over the years, but the core has always been the dynamic interplay between Rodgers' innovative guitar work and Edwards' influential bass lines. CHIC's music seamlessly blends elements of dance-pop, contemporary R&B, disco, funk, and soul, creating timeless hits like "Le Freak" and "Good Times" that have left an indelible mark on the music landscape.

How to Sound Like CHIC

CHIC's sound is characterized by tight, rhythmic grooves and sophisticated arrangements. The music is both melodic and percussive, with Nile Rodgers' distinctive "chucking" guitar style providing an infectious drive. His use of a Fender Stratocaster through a Fender Deluxe Reverb amp delivers a clean yet punchy tone that cuts through the mix. The bass work, originally by Bernard Edwards, is smooth and propulsive, often laying down syncopated lines that are both complex and danceable. Drummers like Tony Thompson have contributed to a crisp and dynamic rhythm section, while additional layers from string arrangements and keyboards add a lush, orchestrated feel. For musicians aiming to capture CHIC's essence, focusing on the interplay between rhythm and melody and the use of clean, articulate tones is key.

Discography

Chic (2018 Remaster)

1977

Dimitri From Paris presents Le CHIC Remix

1978

C'est Chic (2018 Remaster)

1978

Risqué (2018 Remaster)

1979

Real People

1980

Take It Off

1981

Tongue in Chic

1982

Believer

1983

Chic-ism

1992

It’s About Time

2018

Get the CHIC Sound

Want to sound like CHIC? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.