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.