Editing Bernard Edwards (section)

==Death==
In 1996, Edwards and Nile Rodgers were in Japan participating in "J.T. Super Producers '96," a concert series sponsored by [[Japan Tobacco]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Flick |first=Larry |date=1996-05-04 |title=Chic Co-Founder Bernard Edwards Dies At Age 43 |pages=12, 96 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-05-04.pdf |access-date=2023-11-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008155816/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-05-04.pdf |archive-date=2023-10-08}}</ref> Just before the concert at the [[Nippon Budokan|Budokan]] Arena in Tokyo, Edwards fell ill, but despite Rodgers' insistence, refused to cancel the gig. He managed to perform but had to be helped at times. At one point, Edwards blacked out for a few seconds before resuming his playing. Rodgers assumed the absence of bass was a deliberate improvisation and did not learn the truth until after the show. After the concert, Rodgers went to check on Edwards and asked how he was doing, to which he replied "I'm fine, I just need to rest." This was the last time Rodgers spoke to Edwards.<ref>Nile Rodgers (2012). Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco and Destiny. L.A:</ref> Edwards retired to his hotel room where he was later found dead by Rodgers.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/22/arts/bernard-edwards-43-musician-in-disco-band-and-pop-producer.html |title=Bernard Edwards, 43, Musician in Disco Band and Pop Producer |first=Neil |last=Strauss |author-link=Neil Strauss |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 22, 1996}}</ref> The medical examiner determined the cause of death was [[pneumonia]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Walker|first1=Toby|title=Bernard Edwards|url=http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Bernard%20Edwards.html|website=SoulWalking|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref> Edwards's final performance was issued in 1999 as the album ''[[Live at the Budokan (Chic album)|Live at the Budokan]]''.