Nile Rodgers gives Chris Shiflett the full, eyebrow-raising story of how he and bassist Bernard Edwards penned Diana Ross’ hit, “I’m Coming Out.” The duo had tried the song’s drumbeat on many other tracks—they nicknamed it “the hesitation waltz”—but its playful rhythm didn’t land until they wrote the song for Ross. Rodgers explains that his neck-pickup “chucking” on the song, which is most clearly voiced on the highest three strings, was structured around the vocal melody. “I’m a very hook-oriented guy,” says Rodgers. “I believe in reinforcing the thing that is melodically the motif that the house is built on.”
When CHIC guitar wizard Nile Rodgers tells Chris Shiflett that he was at Woodstock, Shiflett quips, “You didn’t take the brown acid, did you?” Rodgers grins and chuckles, “I took every color acid they had!”
This is the tongue-in-cheek tenor of the latest episode of Shred With Shifty, a fun, often hilarious conversational romp through Rodgers’ music career. It all started with classical music and woodwinds (specifically the flute and clarinet), but as Rodgers tells it, a major turning point was a chance encounter with a crew of Los Angeles hippies—affectionately called “freaks” in those days of the late ’60s—that led to a two-day LSD party soundtracked by The Doors’ first album.
After he picked up a guitar at 16, he turned to unique jazz pluckers like Django Reinhardt and Wes Montgomery. He followed in their footsteps and played semi-hollow guitars until he met his longtime musical partner and CHIC cofounder, bassist Bernard Edwards, who urged him to pick up a Stratocaster. So it was then that the Hitmaker was born one fateful day in a south Florida guitar shop.
And Rodgers doesn’t shy away from the whole truth about the song’s history. Diana Ross was the first superstar that Rodgers had recorded with, but as he remembers, that didn’t stop him from spinning a little white lie to make sure that “I’m Coming Out” was released.
Credits
Producer: Jason Shadrick
Executive Producers: Brady Sadler and Jake Brennan for Double Elvis
Engineering Support by Matt Tahaney and Matt Beaudion
Video Editors: Dan Destefano and Addison Sauvan
Special thanks to Chris Peterson, Greg Nacron, and the entire Volume.com crew.
Rig Rundown: Nile Rodgers [Chic]
Features
- Monitor Correction powered by Sonarworks* - Apollo X users can now import Sonarworks SoundID correction profiles directly to ApolloDSP to precisely calibrate their monitors, headphones, and room in real-time for consistent mixes and masters. Available Q4 2024 for Apollo X Gen 1 and Gen 2.
- Assistive Auto-Gain - Fast, one-click level setting across all input channels, including Unison mic preamp emulations from API, Neve, and SSL.
- Subwoofer Bass Management - Add a subwoofer for full-range stereo and surround monitoring, featuring trim, mute, solo, and crossover controls per speaker.
- Alt Monitoring for Surround Modes - New modes for alternate monitoring allow immersive users to easily switch between immersive and stereo monitoring setups.
- Plug-In Scenes - Perfect for using Apollo onstage, Apollo users can instantly change plug-in settings across multiple UAD Console channels manually or via MIDI.
- Gen 2 Thunderbolt rackmount and desktop audio interfaces with HEXA, QUAD, DUO Core DSP plug-in processing
- Elite-class Apollo X | Gen 2 converters with 24-bit / 192 kHz resolution
- Enhanced D/A for critical monitoring and playback with the widest dynamic range and lowest distortion of any Apollo
- Unison mic preamps, Hi-Z instrument inputs, optical Toslink I/O (ADAT or S/PDIF), AESI/O and Dante I/O on select models
- Updated UAD Console app featuring Monitor Correction powered by Sonarworks,*Assistive Auto-Gain, Subwoofer Bass Management, Plug-in Scenes, and more
- Fully-featured monitor controller with alternate speaker switching and integrated talkback for easy communication with talent
- ALT monitoring support in all monitor modes (2 x ALT mon for stereo, 1 x ALT mon for immersive)
- Onboard DSP supports over 200 UAD plug-ins via VST, AU, and AAX 64 formats in all major DAWs
- Includes up to 100+ UAD plug-ins with Essentials+, Studio+ or Ultimate+ Editions
- Compatible with LUNA, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Cubase, Ableton Live, and more
- Expandable with Thunderbolt Apollo interfaces or select models over Dante
- Free industry-leading technical support from knowledgeable audio engineers
For more information, please visit uaudio.com.
"We believe that the very best audio tools can 'disappear,' and feel like they are simply a part of the creative process," said Bill Putnam, UA founder and CEO. "The new Apollo X interfaces are about pushing that concept further — bringing the best of analog and digital sounds together in a way that's both inspiring and seamless, to let your music take center stage."
D'Addario Guitar Strings - XL Nickel Electric Guitar Strings - 10-46 Regular Light, 5-Pack
- BESTSELLING SET – XL Nickel are our best-selling electric guitar strings, revered by players since 1974.
- VERSATILE, BRIGHT TONE – Nickel-plated steel wrap wire provides a bright, versatile electric guitar tone, great for a variety of musical genres.
- FOR THE ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE – Like all D’Addario electric guitar strings, XL Nickel are made with our proprietary Hex-Core, ensuring perfect intonation, consistent feel, and reliable durability.
Fender Squier 3/4-Size Kids Mini Strat Electric Guitar - Surf Green Bundle
- 3/4-size body; 22.75" scale length
- Ideal size for children ages 6 to 12 years
- Three single-coil Stratocaster pickups with five-way switching, and vintage-style hardtail Stratocaster bridge
- Bundle includes Guitar, Amplifier, Instrument Cable, Tuner, Strap, Picks, Fender Play Online Lessons, and Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD
Dunlop MXR Micro Chorus
- All analog circuitry with bucket brigade technology
- Rich chorus textures
- True bypass
Fender Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar - Sunburst Bundle
- This guitar also features scalloped "X"-bracing, mahogany neck.
- It features a durable dark-stained maple fingerboard to give you an instrument that looks as good as it sounds.
- With its slim, easy-to-play neck and full-bodied dreadnought tone, the SA-150 is an ideal choice for all rookie strummers.
STRICH TSUNAMI Overdrive
- WARM & HOT OVERDRIVE MODES: Easily switch between warm and hot overdrive tones. Warm mode delivers rich, bluesy overdrive, while Hot mode offers more aggressive drive.
- PRECISE CONTROL: Dial in your perfect sound with VOL, GAIN, and TONE knobs for volume, distortion level, and tone
- COMPACT & PRACTICAL: Utilizes an aluminum alloy sturdy, tough, and stable casing. The compact cigar-box design saves pedalboard space and facilitates portability for performances.
Fender Professional Series Tweed Instrument Cable, Daphne Blue, 18.6ft
- 8mm outer diameter wire jacket
- 22 AWG
- 95% OFC spiral shielding
- Nickel-plated connectors
Sennheiser Professional e 609 Silver Super-Cardioid Instrument Microphone
MOOER GE100 Multi-Effects Guitar Pedal
72PCS Guitar Tool Kit
- 【Multifunctional Use】Available for changing strings, setting intonation, adjusting action or checking string height, perfect for stringed instrument cleaning, maintenance and repair.Dedicated to the most common guitar repairs and adjustments.
- 【Widely Application Area】72 Pcs tool set is a superb choice for most guitar repairs.Ideal for electric guitars, basses, mandolins, banjos, Hawaiian ukuleles, and other stringed instruments for necessary measurements and adjustments.
- 【Tool Bag Included】 Assortment of necessary tools are in one bag. We not only provide a large package, we also provide each accessory with a small individual package. You can protect and store these tools well to prevent loss and mess.
LAVA ME AIR Portable Carbon Fiber Electric-Acoustic Guitar, Travel Guitar for Beginners
- htweight at 4.3 lb, thin and portable
- Capable magnetic pickup, clear sound & low feedback
- Customizable digital knobs and presets
