Composer of an Era
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Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny
by Nile Rodgers
Spiegel & Grau, 318 pages, $27.00

IF YOU’RE READING this magazine, then you’ve probably danced to the music of Nile Rodgers at some point in your life, and probably more than once. A pioneer of the disco era and co-founder of the powerhouse R&B/dance group Chic, Rodgers created some of the most memorable club hits of the late 1970’s, including “Le Freak,” “Everybody Dance,” and “Good Times.” His roster of work as a writer and producer—for such artists as David Bowie, Madonna, Debbie Harry, Duran Duran, and the B-52’s—reads like a catalog of pop superstars. And while Rodgers is straight, he’s the songsmith behind two of the most famous gay anthems of all time: Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out” and Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family.”