Chaka Khan to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at last
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Chicago singer and songwriter Chaka Khan, in 1975. Photo: Leonard M. DeLessio/Corbis via Getty Images
Chicago musician Chaka Khan has finally ascended to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. And it's about damn time.
- The longtime R&B singer and frontwoman of the band Rufus has been eligible for the honor for 25 years and nominated several times.
State of play: Khan will be inducted as a solo artist, but she will also be recognized for work with her funk band Rufus.
- This year marks her 50th in the music industry.
Context: Khan currently lives in Los Angeles but was born in Great Lakes, Illinois, and grew up on the South Side.
- "Those are some of the most vivid memories of my whole life," she told VladTV in 2020 about Chicago.
Fun facts about "The Queen of Funk":
- Khan was born Yvette Marie Stevens.
- When she was 11, she formed a girl group with her sister (Taka Boom) called The Crystalettes.
- The singer attended Kenwood Academy but dropped out.
- During that time, Khan joined the Black Panther Party and became friends with Fred Hampton.
Want more? I could go on and on about my favorite artist:
- In the late '60s, Khan got her big break replacing the lead singer in Baby Huey & The Babysitters, which gained the attention of Curtis Mayfield and Ike Turner.
- Her biggest Rufus song, "Tell Me Something Good," was written by Stevie Wonder.
- Her first big solo hit "I Feel For You" was originally written by Prince.
Tasty fact: She had a line of gourmet chocolates, called Chakalates.
The bottom line: Sitting in the lawn of the Petrillo Music Shell listening to the first bars of "Ain't Nobody" reminds me why Chicago is the best city in the world.
- Congratulations, Chaka.