Nile Rodgers got an up-close-and-personal view of the real workings of Riverhead Tuesday night, when he headed to the emergency room of Peconic Bay Medical Center after injuring his leg during the first night of the FOLD festival at Martha Clara.
In a rare moment when Rodgers was found sitting during the two-day festival — he’s a man in constant motion, with joyful energy emanating in every move — the music legend explained that he suffered a minor injury at the previous night’s performance, when he wowed the crowd with non-stop dancing, jumping and a masterful guitar performance with Keith Urban that had fans screaming.
But his experience at PBMC couldn’t have been more pleasant, he said, with locals giving him a warm welcome. The ER nurse, he said, had attended the first night of the FOLD festival.
“I asked if anyone had come to the ER had come in with any injuries related to the festival,” Rodgers said. “They told me ‘Not one.'”
It’s the warmth he’s found locally that sparked a dream Rodgers has of possibly planting permanent roots in the area.
When he first pitched the location for the festival, Rodgers said some expressed reservations. “They said, ‘No one goes to the North Fork.’ They had no idea. I told them I was here for the show two years ago. It’s so beautiful.'”
Local officials have welcomed Rodgers with open arms. On Tuesday night, Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter said he’d love to have the music legend buy the Martha Clara property.
Rodgers said the idea has crossed his mind, and he’s even inquired, but found the asking price a little steep. Last year, Newsday reported that the Martha Clara property, including 200 acres and the vineyard, was on the market for $25 million.
Still, he said, he’s “willing to negotiate”.
Reflecting on the FOLD festival
Sitting in his dressing room last night before the second half of the festival, Rodgers reflected on how it felt to see his dream realized, with a series of seemingly disparate musical sensations coming together on his stage to create once in a lifetime moments. Looking out at the audience of thousands touched him deeply.
“I’m ecstatic,” he said. “Last night was a night I’ll never forget, so magical and special,” Rodgers said.
Remembering his red-hot guitar riff with friend and master guitarist Keith Urban, Rodgers said the ten-minute jam wasn’t planned. “We had no rehearsal time with him,” he said. “He just got off the plane and came to the show.”
The idea for the festival was born in Europe, where festivals bring people together for days, all sharing the same passion. “I believe in the music,” he said. In many other places, “they don’t have the same politics” but legions of fans have come to love Rodgers, listening to his songs on the radio and sharing his music over generations.
Having Beck onstage was particularly meaningful, Rodgers said; Beck made history when he took the stage at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, an annual event featuring a wide range of music including hip hop, rock, indie, and electronic dance music. And now, Rodgers said, Beck was a part of history again, as part of Rodgers’ first annual FOLD festival.
It’s his ability to mesh the diverse talents of so many vibrant and emerging artists that keeps Rodgers at the cutting edge and always current; Duran’s new single, “Pressure Off,” which also features Janelle Monae, is a fusion of electronic dance music and each artists’ unique sound, and was produced by Rodgers.
Along with his disco hits, many don’t realize that Rodgers, a songwriter, producer and founder of Chic, the legendary dance band behind megahits including “Le Freak” and “Good Times,” has collaborated with stars in a such wide range of musical genres, including Madonna, David Bowie, Duran Duran, and more recently Daft Punk, with whom he picked up three Grammy Awards in 2014, Pharrell Williams, Aviici and Disclosure.
“And now country,” he said; he and Urban are collaborating on an album.
Rogers said that ten-minute guitar jam with Urban had everyone talking. “We were ripping — definitely shredding,” he said.
The festival also featured names such as DJ Thomas Gold, who like Avicii at Rodgers’ last Riverhead show, had the younger generation screaming. The festivals, he said, bring together generations; his goal was that no matter what time someone arrived, they’d always hear a hit song, Rodgers said.
Pharrell Williams, whose red-hot hit “Happy” had thousands singing along, tearfully thanked Rodgers Tuesday and said it was an honor to share the stage with him, making a promise to be there for him, always.
Despite soaring careers, Rodgers said it’s the friendships he shares with fellow artists that fueled their desire to be part of the festival, some flying for thousands of miles to sing three songs onstage. Performing together, he said, there were “no egos,” just the shared fervor for the music that fueled the winning collaboration.
Laughing, Rodgers admitted that maybe he’d been too ambitious, booking such a lengthy lineup of acts, and said he’ll try to hold back a bit in the next go-round.
But judging by the thunderous applause from the crowd, the spectacular lineup, which last night included Chaka Khan, Duran-Duran and many more, his winning formula pleased.
A legend with a heart of gold
Nurturing young talents who emerge as break-out stars gives Rodgers deep satisfaction. “It’s just how I learned,” he said. After his first professional gigs, as a member of the “Sesame Street” road show and a band member at Harlem’s Apollo Theater, Rodgers said he performed jazz and classical and was mentored by many along the way as his career took shape.
And those who work with Rodgers speak of the genuine man and astounding talent behind the music. Working with Rodgers, Folami, a member of Chic, said, “is amazing. He’s so sincere, kind, caring — and detailed. He never lets a fan go by without giving them exactly what they ask for. I’m so proud to be a part of this movement, to help those who might be disabled, or deprived of love.”
Keyboardist Richard Hilton, who’s been with Chic for over two decades, said simply, “These have been the best 27 years of my life.” A Bethpage resident, Hilton credits Rodgers for infusing his life with security; a steady income 52 weeks a year, even during the months when they’re not touring — a rare gift in the music business.
“He’s been a blessing to me and my family,” Hilton said.
Chic member Kim Davis, whose unstoppable vocals astounded the crowd both nights, said she grew up listening to Rodgers’ hits and auditioning for the legend was the moment of a lifetime. “I sang, ‘I Want Your Love,'” she said.
And now, Davis said she’s honored to share the journey, “helping him to live his dreams.” After surviving cancer, Davis said sharing his life’s music is even more important to Rodgers. “All he wants is for us is to sing these songs, and sing them with meaning,” she said.
Offstage, Chic and Rodgers are close, laughing and enjoying each other’s company even at the airport after being up for hours. “We are family,” she said simply.
Of the audience who came out to spend two days enjoying the festival and soaking in the music of some of the greatest names in the business, Rodgers said, “It’s unbelievable. The loving spirit on the stage translated to the audience. They made my dream come true.”
