You would be hard-pressed to name many bands who have had more influential on modern American music than Nile Rodgers' funk and disco band, Chic. Discogs' bio for the band (which now goes by "Nile Rodgers & Chic") reads:

Formed in 1977 by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, Chic are widely considered to be one of the most creative and innovative bands of the 'Disco Era'.

Chic scored two number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with "Le Freak" and "Good Times," in 1978 and '79. respectively, then seven other songs charted -- including four more in the top 10. As far as record sales, you really have to include more than just Chic records, since Rodgers is also a prolific producer and guest performer, too. His presence is hard to miss! In total, as of 2019, those projects add up to more than 500 million copies sold.

Rodgers & Chic are out touring now. They just announced they'll be playing in Paris in the summer of 2024!

@NileRodgers & CHIC are coming back to Paris! For tickets & info, visit: https://t.co/VvmT2jIrTc

@thechicorganization @chicorg @gdp.fr pic.twitter.com/oc6tiAoQBW

— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) November 6, 2023

The band has sometimes been touring partners with Duran Duran in recent years, a band Chic heavily influenced. (I first heard of Chic because John Taylor name-checked Bernard Edwards as an influence on his bass playing.) They're having something of a renaissance of their own at the moment, with a new album and tour in 2023.

It's easy to see why Rodgers' music remains in demand, and fans can't get enough. In fact, after I listened to one clip a couple days back on an alternative video-sharing app to YouTube, Rodgers' collaboration with electronic stalwarts, (the now disbanded) Daft Punk popped right up. His ongoing relevance is remarkable, and I wonder if it draws the envy of other musicians.

The best part: All he asks, as he did in a recent post on Twitter-X sharing a new show his band recorded for NPR music project Tiny Desk, is for all of us to spread a little "sunshine," and enjoy his band's music as much as they seem to. He writes:

Because the world needs a little sunshine right now  Share with someone that needs it... 

To get you started on doing just that, here's a clip from that show with their hit "Good Times":

Este domingo regálense ver el tiny desk de Nile Rodgers. pic.twitter.com/rrcOrkEPiU

— Mike (@themicaelaworld) November 5, 2023

You can watch the full show below, courtesy of the people at Tiny Desk:

Related: Duran Duran's 'Rio' LP Turns Almost Forty in 2021, as GenX Swoons

Higher Culture: Mining the Eighties (and Nineties) for 'New' Music

Higher Culture: The 'New Romantics' Didn't Start With Duran Duran

Editor's note: this article was edited for content after publication.Bernard Edwards was the band's bassist, not Nile Rodgers.