S1 EP7: Nile Rodgers on his turbulent upbringing and the stories behind his biggest hits

The Louis Theroux Podcast

Tuesday, 18 July 2023 - 1 hour 4 minutes

Louis meets disco legend and producer extraordinaire Nile Rodgers. Dialling in from his Connecticut home (one of five!), Nile tells Louis about his remarkable life and career, including the stories behind his biggest hits, his turbulent childhood years, and overcoming colourism. And Louis sings... 

 

Warnings: Some strong language and discussions of sensitive themes including sexual abuse and drug-taking.  

 

Links:

 

David Bowie – ‘Let's Dance’

https://open.spotify.com/track/3ix6K4wZY29bCujrSznwFZ?si=30d727d785ef4095

  

Mick Jagger – ‘She's The Boss’

https://open.spotify.com/album/0xJYbTxo4DMYSHkC7iSqPB?si=wwLv7HOBTXenE6dAkd5ngA

  

Madonna – ‘Like A Virgin’

https://open.spotify.com/album/2IU9ftOgyRL2caQGWK1jjX?si=rxpZTw42QNiSKnreq0l2pg 

 

Duran Duran – ‘Notorious’

https://open.spotify.com/album/3xXwaj6hVwx0pnLtMCHZdC?si=U-tc0vYxQl6LJ65AzT4trA

  

Sister Sledge – ‘Lost In Music’

Sister Sledge - Lost In Music (Nile Rogers/Bernard Edwards Remix) Atlantic Records 1979, 1984 

 

Daft Punk – ‘Get Lucky’

https://open.spotify.com/track/2Foc5Q5nqNiosCNqttzHof?si=9035d8c8fb554778

  

Faith Evans - ‘Love Like This’

https://open.spotify.com/track/7MQywXGHEev7JmwwIzMcao?si=e8aec86954044cde|

  

Fatman Scoop – ‘Be Faithful’

https://open.spotify.com/track/2OJovNvFHKmZg5mrf9BfAa?si=f6473bf11a69453b  

 

CHIC – ‘Dance, Dance, Dance’

CHIC - Dance, Dance, Dance (Official Music Video)

 

CHIC – ‘Everybody Dance’

CHIC - Everybody Dance (Official Music Video)

  

CHIC – ‘Le Freak’

CHIC - Le Freak (Official Music Video) 


CHIC – ‘Good Times’

https://open.spotify.com/track/0G3fbPbE1vGeABDEZF0jeG?si=61f9310d2d1d46f9  


CHIC – ‘I Want Your Love’

CHIC - I Want Your Love (Official Music Video)  

 

Queen – ‘Another One Bites The Dust’

https://open.spotify.com/track/5vdp5UmvTsnMEMESIF2Ym7?si=a51179cc7472461c 

 

The Sugarhill Gang - ‘Rapper’s Delight’

https://open.spotify.com/track/4IUVLtJEf5k9PIXXTlZy9L?si=3fb6c5a858004074 

 

Kool & The Gang – ‘Hollywood Swinging’

https://open.spotify.com/track/6igsoAR6Co9u7Rq3U7mlOD?si=7a95418138e9448e  

 

Carol Douglas – ‘Doctor's Orders’

https://open.spotify.com/track/6TlkRvPjRQo5VZqIfM0MjA?si=03e2ada1e22d40af  

 

The Pasadenas – ‘I’m Doing Fine Now’

https://open.spotify.com/track/0Bixqrng2P06r4NkOe2EL7?si=3a4346705ccc4545  

 

Diana Ross - ‘I’m Coming Out’

https://open.spotify.com/track/3SnGymj6ijE2iuUfWxLo1q?si=ea4848e86b274f66  

 

The Knack - ‘My Sharona’

https://open.spotify.com/track/1HOMkjp0nHMaTnfAkslCQj?si=8cef162ee4fb432b   

 

Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco and Destiny By Nile Rodgers 

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Freak-Upside-Story-Family-Destiny/dp/0751542776  

 

LeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka) - ‘Black And Beautiful’  The Jihad ‎– Black And Beautiful... Soul And Madness (Full Album) 


Judas and The Black Messiah (Trailer) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSjtGqRXQ9Y&t=5s   

 

Billy Paul - ‘Am I Black Enough For You?’

Billy Paul - Am I Black Enough for You? (Official Audio)

 

Schoolly D – ‘Am I Black Enough for You?’

https://open.spotify.com/album/54kfoNGdaWwwh7bz3snvuD?si=6b6URtV4TAyM81QT2uUWtA  

  

Credits: 

Producer: Paul Kobrak 

Assistant Producer: Maan Al-Yasiri 

Production Manager: Francesca Bassett 

Music: Miguel D’Oliveira 

Show notes compiled by Shaloma Ellis 

Executive Producer: Arron Fellows 

 

A Mindhouse Production exclusively for Spotify 

www.mindhouse.co.uk

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