I saw Norma Jean Wright earlier this year at the Paradise Garage Summerstage gig, a reminder, if it was needed, that the woman who sang lead on Chic’s first album, “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)” and “Everybody Dance” and put Niles Rodgers and Bernard Edwards greatest disco band of all time on the map.
I saw Chic at Hammerstein Ballroom in 2012 (review here) and with Bernard long passed and Norma Jean nowhere to be seen,, it was obviously the Niles Rodgers show and that was fine with me although in 2012, headlining a disco revival gig with the likes of Tavares, they couldn’t sell it out.
2013 saw “Get Lucky” and Niles back in ascendancy and he has been playing Europe, working on a new Chic album and undoubtedly planning a major US tour and more power to him, nobody doubts Rodgers was half of Chic and people die? Should he give up the band name? Well, he didn’t mention Edwards at the gig but no he shouldn’t.
I mentioned that Sumemrstage gig? Alfa Anderson and Luci Martin, the lead singers on Chic’s second album, a huge hit, were both there, both looked great and in fine voice. So why not bring them back and do what you can to really revive the Chic name? None of these women are wall candy, all three are great singers and would improve the entire Chic concept by brining it back to the roots.
I have no idea why Niles wouldn’t pursue this opportunity to really bring Chic back again, all three women look and sound terrific and this is a real opportunity but who knows? Perhaps he doesn’t want to pay the money, though how much can it be? It would be kind, generous and a reaching back. But I guess it isn’t gonna happen.
Perhaps they should tour as the voices of Chic.
