Nile Rodgers jams with Flea at Grammy event
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Nile Rodgers is getting lucky again.
The prolific 62-year-old guitarist-producer who has worked with the likes of Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams, Madonna, David Bowie and Diana Ross was lauded Tuesday night by the producers and engineers wing of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Rodgers received his award on stage during the group's eighth annual Grammy week celebration at The Village, a historic Los Angeles recording studio that's hosted the likes of the Beach Boys, Mariah Carey, Johnny Cash, Elton John and - of course - Rodgers.
"The best thing so far about tonight is seeing all the people who actually helped me get here," Rodgers told the crowd of music industry professionals.
The recording academy honored Rodgers, who formed the band Chic in 1977 with bassist Bernard Edwards, not just for his artistic legacy but also his philanthropic efforts, which included founding the We Are Family Foundation after the Sept. 11 attacks to promote respect, understanding and cultural diversity.
"I thank the powers that be for giving me the life that I have and running into the great people that I've run into," said Rodgers. "They taught me what I know. Now, I am a producer. I can produce anything!"
After accepting his award, Rodgers picked up his guitar and guided the audience through his career by song, playing such hits as Chic's "Everybody Dance" and "Dance, Dance, Dance" as well as Bowie's "Let's Dance."
Rodgers was later joined by Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea for a jam session that included Chic's "Le Freak" and "Good Times," and Sister Sledge's "We Are Family," with Kathy Sledge joining the pair on stage to provide vocals.
"Everybody I have worked with, I have always learned from," said Rodgers. "When we wrote 'We Are Family,' the basic song was probably OK, but Kathy Sledge is the one who made it what it was."
Other artists in attendance at Tuesday's event included Diane Warren, Ric Ocasek, Nathan East, Aloe Blacc, "Weird Al" Yankovic and Sheila E.
Despite a hit-making career that's spanned five decades, Rodgers only received his first-ever Grammys at last year's ceremony for his collaboration with Daft Punk on "Random Access Memories." They picked up the trophies for best pop duo/group performance, record and album of the year.
This year's ceremony will be broadcast live Sunday on CBS.
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Follow AP Entertainment Writer Derrik J. Lang on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/derrikjlang