Chic star performs classics including Le Freak for a modest crowd and says he earned enough for a nice breakfast

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

If you thought that busker you walked past on London’s South Bank on Monday morning was a little better than the usual fare, it’s because you may have been hearing a bona fide funk superstar.

Chic’s Nile Rodgers treated passersby to some of his classics beside the Thames – and kept his guitar case open for donations.

Initially unrecognisable in a wooly red hat, multicoloured scarf and camel jacket, he drew a modest crowd when he started singing Le Freak.

Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) Today I went busking on the #London Southbank. Didn't draw much of a crowd until I stared playing dance music. Hmm? pic.twitter.com/N89XINfgfD

Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) Though I had no voice from screaming during last night's show, I started to draw a crowd when I sang "Aw Freak Out!" pic.twitter.com/k4R6XjMsFe

A few hours earlier he had played to tens of thousands of people at London’s Hyde Park.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Nile Rodgers performing at Hyde Park on Sunday. Photograph: Joseph Okpako/Redferns via Getty Images

He revealed on Twitter that he was familiar with street performance as he had been homeless earlier in his life. The 62-year-old is to headline a homeless charity gala next month.

Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) That's how I started. I was homeless. https://t.co/2w5bcfcHIm

Responding to tweets pointing out that his guitar case seemed empty, he wrote: “I know. But it got better by the end of my set! Then the coins were flowing.” He added: “I can afford a nice breakfast now.”

People who spotted him on the South Bank posted images on social media.

Carmen Rose (@CarmenRoseLittl) Strolling past @nilerodgers busking on the Southbank just made my Monday! That's mad amounts of cool. pic.twitter.com/vAPK4zmhGv

Old Holborn (@Holbornlolz) Nile Rodgers is jamming outside the South Bank pic.twitter.com/FZzLY2DAo8

At Hyde Park this weekend Rodgers told the crowd that his work had given him the strength to overcome cancer.

Chic are releasing their first album in more than 20 years, called It’s About Time.