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Nile Rodgers reveals how he became the go-to producer of the 80s, creating signature sounds for Diana Ross, Carly Simon, David Bowie, Madonna and Duran Duran.

Nile Rodgers reveals how he became the go-to producer of the 80s, creating signature sounds for some of the world's biggest stars: Diana Ross, Carly Simon, David Bowie, Madonna and Duran Duran.

The first artist Nile worked with was Diana Ross. The album they created, Diana, became the biggest-selling studio album of her career and spawned three international hit singles. In the film, Nile explains how they came up with the songs.

Nile and Carly Simon reveal the working process that led to the song Why, which flopped in America. Nile explains why and is candid about what you do when failure comes knocking.

When Nile met David Bowie, neither could have known how much it would change both their lives. After a number of critically received albums, Bowie was looking to do something different and asked Nile for an album of hits - and that is what Nile gave him; Let's Dance became Bowie's biggest-selling album. In an intimate mini-masterclass, Nile explains how the song Let's Dance developed from Bowie's initial idea into a global hit.

The album Nile produced for Madonna was Like a Virgin. We learn about how his deal was structured with her record company, and how this gave Nile one of the biggest paydays of his career.

Duran Duran's third album contained a song they felt hadn't realised its full potential - The Reflex. Nile used a recently bought Synclavier and gave the song and the band an entirely new sound. Nile and Nick Rhodes explain how the record was made.

1 hour

Last on

Fri 11 Feb 2022 23:50
主播大秀 Four

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See all episodes from Nile Rodgers: How to Make It in the Music Business

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:01

    Chic

    Le Freak

  • 00:01

    David Bowie

    Let's Dance

  • 00:01

    Madonna

    Like A Virgin

  • 00:02

    Sister Sledge

    He's The Greatest Dancer

  • 00:02

    Diana Ross

    Love Hangover

  • 00:04

    Rod Stewart

    Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?

  • 00:08

    Diana Ross

    Upside Down

  • 00:08

    The Supremes

    Where Did Our Love Go

  • 00:13

    Diana Ross

    I'm Coming Out

  • 00:19

    Chic

    Soup For One

  • 00:20

    Carly Simon

    Why

  • 00:20

    Carly Simon

    You're So Vain

  • 00:27

    David Bowie

    Life On Mars?

  • 00:38

    Madonna

    Everybody

  • 00:42

    Madonna

    Like A Virgin

  • 00:38

    Chic

    Good Times

  • 00:40

    Madonna

    Borderline

  • 00:45

    Uwe Kr枚ger

    Tauch Hinab Ins Dunkel

  • 00:45

    Duran Duran

    Girls On Film

  • 00:46

    Duran Duran

    Girls On Film

  • 00:46

    Duran Duran

    The Reflex

  • 00:53

    Duran Duran

    Notorious

  • 00:46

    INXS

    Original Sin

  • 00:59

    Daft Punk

    Get Lucky (feat. Pharrell Williams)

Credits

Narrator Nile Rodgers
Narrator Nina Sosanya
Participant Carly Simon
Participant Kathy Sledge
Participant Paul Gambaccini
Participant Krissi Murison
Participant Kate Mossman
Participant Nick Rhodes
Participant Keith Harris
Executive Producer Philip Armstrong-Dampier
Director Christopher Bruce
Series Editor Nigel Timperley

Broadcasts