Bernard Edwards (October 31, 1952 – April 18, 1996) was born in Greenville, North Carolina, was a bass guitar player and record producer, both as a member of Chic and on his own. He died of pneumonia while touring in Japan. Edwards who grew up in Brooklyn, New York City, met Nile Rodgers in the early 1970s. The two formed the Big Apple Band (active from 1972-1976) and then united with drummer Tony Thompson to eventually form Chic together with singer Norma Jean Wright. With Chic (active 1976-1983) Edwards created era-defining hits such as Dance, Dance, Dance, Everybody Dance, Le Freak, I Want Your Love and Good Times. Edwards also worked with Nile Rodgers to produce and write for other artists, using Chic to perform everything musically and vocally except lead vocals. Those productions with Norma Jean Wright, Sister Sledge, Sheila and B. Devotion, Diana Ross, Johnny Mathis, Debbie Harry and Fonzi Thornton led to more hits such as Saturday, He's The Greatest Dancer, We Are Family, Spacer, Upside Down, I'm Coming Out and Backfired to name a few. Chic split in 1983 after personal and artistic differences between Edwards and Rodgers. Edwards released a solo album the same year, and in 1985 he was instrumental in the formation of the supergroup The Power Station. The band's first album was produced by Edwards and featured Chic drummer Tony Thompson, and Duran Duran members John Taylor and Andy Taylor as well as singer Robert Palmer. Edwards followed this by producing Robert ...