Nile Rodgers and Chic have announced a UK tour

4 September 2018

Nile Rodgers and Chic have announced a UK tour.

Nile Rodgers

The 65-year-old musician is set to headline a five date arena tour in December, and the legendary disco group's run will start in Glasgow before heading to Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and ending at the London O2 Arena.

The announcement comes ahead of the release of his first album in 24 years, which will be released later on this month.

The 'Le Freak' hitmaker has collaborated with a variety of stars on his new record - including Elton John, Emeli Sandé, Lady Gaga and Craig David.

The pioneer has worked with some of the greatest artists of all time, producing for the likes of David Bowie, Diana Ross and Madonna - however it recently came to light that Nile previously refused to work on a disco song for the late Aretha Franklin.

The Chic star has revealed he was asked to work on the late soul legend's 1979 song 'Only Star' from her LP 'La Diva', but he told the 'R.E.S.P.E.C.T' hitmaker to her face, he didn't want the job because he wouldn't want to be known as "the guy who wrote Aretha Franklin's disco hit".

He recalled to MOJO magazine: "We only had one meeting but she wanted to write the songs.

"And she played this song 'I'm Gonna Be The Only Star Tonight Down At The Disco' [later recorded as 'Only Star'], because for some reason somebody had convinced Aretha Franklin that disco was so happening she had to do a disco record.

"And I told her, point blank, 'There's no way I'm going down in history as the guy who wrote Aretha Franklin's disco hit', at least not that one.

"She had written it and the guy who did 'The Hustle', Van McCoy, a terrific arranger, he did the album [1979's 'La Diva' with co-producer Charlie Kipps]. I couldn't believe he did it. It's just not a good song ..."

After hearing the sad news of Aretha's death, Nile tweeted: "I just finished interviews in Berlin, and was informed the mighty @ArethaFranklin has passed. RIPArethaFranklin #Queen of Soul (sic)"

Tickets go on sale on Friday 07 September 2018 at 9am at LiveNation.co.uk.