Acclaimed guitarist, producer, composer and songwriter Nil Rodgers was named Chief Creative Advisor to Abbey Road Studios in London, a new position created especially for him. According to Billboard“Rodgers will be responsible for nurturing new talent, as well as acting as the studio’s global ambassador and assisting with its ongoing developments in audio and recording technology.”
The new partnership comes as Rodgers is in the process of recording Elegantfirst album in a quarter of a century, the aptly named It was time, in Abbey Road. “From the first time I heard ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ by The Beatles, I dreamed of Abbey Road,” Rodgers said in a statement regarding the announcement. He also thanked the team at Abbey Road Studios, as well as Paul McCartney for sending his congratulations.
As Abbey Road Studios Marketing Manager Marc Robertson noted: “With a career and reputation second to none, no other artist or producer has the heritage, influence and relevance to be given this role at Abbey Road Studios…the whole house dances for joy when he’s in residence.” The sessions saw Nile become completely comfortable in the famous space. It has even recently hosted contemporary stars like Anderson Paak, Bruno Mars, Disclosure to join him there (although those recordings probably aren’t for the new Chic LP).
For generations, Abbey Road Studios have served as a vessel for some of the world’s greatest artists to create and experiment with innovative new recording techniques. From Several Records of a Versatile American Renaissance Man Paul Robson in the early 1930s, to the pioneering work of 1960s psychedelic visionaries like The Beatles and pink floydto the final recording of late vocal power Amy Winehouse (with his idol, Tony Bennett), producing 3 Abbey Road’s beloved records over the years has been particularly stunning.
Nile Rodgers is an appropriately decorated choice for a new partnership with the legendary studio. His prolific output has managed to stay fresh for decades in the industry and has worked with some of the biggest names in music, from Diana Ross at daft-punk and virtually everyone in between. He was inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Famethe Songwriters Hall of Fameand the GRAMMY Hall of Fame in addition to countless other prestigious honors.
Congratulations to Nile Rodgers for the new gig at Abbey Road Studios. Sounds like a match made in Heaven! Now back to finishing that new Chic album…because, you know, it really is “time”.
[H/T Billboard]
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