With the news of Alpha Anderson’s death at the age of 78, one of the remaining voices in disco has been silenced. Initially as a session singer for Chic, Anderson was part of Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards’ fledgling outfit, producing early hits “Everybody Dance” and “Dance Dance Dance (Yausa, Yausa, Yausa)” ” was sung as backup. As frontperson, Anderson then helped power dance floor anthems like “Good Times,” “Le Freak,” “My Forbidden Lover” and “I Want Your Love,” defining the group vocally and visually. did.
Before Thicke, Anderson made his mark playing with jazz great Cannonball Adderley, and was heard on the soundtrack for 1978’s The Wiz. After the group disbanded in 1983, she toured with longtime friend Luther Vandross, sang backup on numerous records, and recorded on her own. She also returned to her other loves, education and education.
In 2013, Anderson spoke about his time with Chic as part of Rolling Stone’s Rodgers feature. Here, for the first time, is a full interview with one of disco’s iconic voices.
What led you to join Chic?
I met them because of Luther Vandross. Luther and I were friends and he did a lot of sessions and jingles and would often take me along. And I’ll never forget. He called me and said: My friend Nile Rodgers has a group called Chic. ”
I said, “Cool, great.” And he said, “Disco.” So I said, “Disco? Are you going to do disco?”
And he said, “Oh, Alpha, it’s fun, it’s great, you’re going to love it.” Then I heard “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)” and I loved it. I looked at Luther and said, “This is no ordinary disco. This is something different.” It wasn’t your traditional 120 beats-per-minute disco. And from the moment I first met Niall and Bernard, I knew this was a dynamic team who would create something special. I thought this while singing. This is amazing. ”
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Legend has it that Norma Jean Wright was the original lead singer, but after she left to make her own records, you were promoted to her spot.
yes. Luther and I sang background on the first album and background support on the first tour. Then Norma started her solo career and I was invited to perform with Lucy Martin, which changed my life. All about the trajectory of my life! I was a teacher (Hunter College in New York). I was an educator. I didn’t even quit that job until after my first tour!
Did you get paid with Chic?
yes.[Rogers and Edwards]are producers and screenwriters, and we signed with their production company. That was the infrastructure layer.
Niall and Bernard seemed like best friends, always joking around and getting really excited. They had a great relationship. But it wasn’t all fun. Bernard and Niall were the taskmasters of the studio. I had to come and listen to the song and perfect it on the spot. There was no demo.
After that, she sang on her second album, 1978’s C’est Chic, and then disappeared.
Disco was the height of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Drugs, sex, and disco. People have come to yearn for the good old days, when everyone felt that times and values were different. In the studio, it was casual chic (in terms of wardrobe). But I always wore pumps outside. I had to look a certain way because I never knew when my photo would be taken.
Do you remember Chic’s crowning moment?
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When we played a concert at a stadium in San Diego, about 60,000 fans showed up. We were so nervous about the reception backstage. My knees are shaking! We went outside and played “Sick Cheer.” There was a delay of several seconds between what we were doing and what the audience was hearing. So we’re singing and all of a sudden there’s a few seconds or two of silence and then this wall of sound comes rushing towards you. It was an acknowledgment and it was so nice. We looked at each other and said, “Yeah!”
When we got off stage, we were riding in the little golf cart they used to get to and from the dressing room. The crowd was going wild and the promoter told us to go back, so we went back to the stage. It was a severe test of whether our music would be accepted. It will be etched in my heart forever.
Niall said he started drinking to combat stage fright during a Chic concert.
That’s how it happens! It’s daunting to be there. You love being there and you love being worshiped, but my knees give out. Do you remember the song they wrote called “Stage Fright”? We all suffered from it. But we didn’t tell each other about it. I wish we could have supported each other more in terms of talking to each other about stage fright.
What was the Nile like at that time?
He always wanted to be great. He has always strived to be that way. He never really needed a lot of sleep! (Laughs) Some people have this switch that rarely turns off, and it’s like a fire inside of them that consumes everything. On the rare occasions I saw him depressed or sad, he was always cheerful. Always cheerful and has a wonderful smile. Always working and creating. They worked all night. Both he and Bernard had that kind of energy.
What do you remember about the infamous “Night of Disco Destruction” rally in Chicago in 1979, where people burned disco records?
As you know, we didn’t have a lot of stock in those days. The audience feedback was great and we loved what we were doing. It was fun! we were like family. So it didn’t affect me that way. I knew I loved what I was doing and loved music and being on stage.
The backlash didn’t occur until a later album (1980’s less successful Real People). It wasn’t well received and it was a rude awakening. That’s when I realized. Before that, I thought, “This is life.” This is what happens. ”
But again, I’m sure I had a different influence on Niall and Bernard because I wasn’t a producer or a screenwriter. They were the CEOs of the organization. They achieved phenomenal success and began thinking about how they could remain viable and successful as producers. Chic was also part of that. This is just a guess. But you want to strengthen some things for yourself, so go out and create more pieces with others. They had very diverse writing styles.
Nile has spoken and written about how drugs and alcohol fueled his creativity during that period.
Hmm…I don’t really understand. He has a story to tell. I don’t know if it affected us negatively at all. I certainly didn’t see it. We have seen continued growth. But I wasn’t much of a party person. I’ve been to Studio 45 once. We received special treatment and were in the VIP section. That was the atmosphere. I’m glad I went, but I’m not a regular.
What are your memories of the end of Chic?
I was very surprised and very sad. I didn’t see it coming. It was more than sadness. It was very painful. And it had an impact far beyond the chic era. I was sad for a very long time. I don’t want to play music anymore.
What on earth happened?
I remember receiving a letter. Vividly. What will stay with me forever is, “As of today, your services are no longer needed.” I was hurt and surprised by it. It was from the Chic organization and had their signature on it. It was like, oh my gosh. There was no such thing back then! (Laughs) I was like, “Huh?” It hurt. That’s the only way I can explain it. It blindsided me.
(Talking to Rolling Stone in 2013, Rodgers recalled writing the memoir: “When I was interviewing people for this book, they would say, ‘Thicke broke up. I’ll never forget that day.” It’s like a phone call. ‘Oh, by the way, it’s over.’ ‘What do you mean?’ ‘We don’t exist anymore, because we were talking to people.’ were paid and worked for us.”
Was there any tension between Niall and Bernard at that time?
Yes, it was. There was tension between them. I never thought they wouldn’t be able to solve it. But they weren’t as active as they used to be, so I didn’t know what the tension was. Luther and I both noticed that there was tension and tension between them. But I never thought it would have an impact (on the band).
You weren’t part of the Chic reunion in the early ’90s. what happened?
I didn’t know that such a thing was happening. I didn’t get any contact, I didn’t audition. So, bullet number. 2! (Laughs) But the group we have now (2013) is truly incredible. No problem.
Looking back, what was Chic’s legacy?
We were the first group to have very real diversity in terms of our fan base and the people who came to our concerts. We broke down all barriers: black, white, gay, straight, old, young. Everyone was dancing and singing along to the rhythm.
