Thus , in 1977 the band was renamed as Chic .
Since another New York artist , Walter Murphy , had a band also called The Big Apple Band , Rodgers and Edwards were forced to change their band 's name to avoid confusion .
In 1977 the band was renamed as Rodgers .
Since another New York artist , Walter Murphy , had a band also called The Big Apple Band , Rodgers and Edwards were forced to change their band 's name to avoid confusion .