Rufus (band)
Encyclopedia
Rufus was an American
funk
band
from Chicago
, Illinois
best known for launching the career of lead singer Chaka Khan
. They had several hit
s throughout their career, including "Tell Me Something Good
," "Sweet Thing
," and "Ain't Nobody
."
In 1971, the band signed a contract with Epic Records
recording an album that wasn't released. Willie Weeks was replaced by Dennis Belfield. In early 1972 Epic dropped their contract and James Stella was replaced by keyboardist and vocalist Ron Stockert. Former Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler drummer Andre Fischer, replaced Lee Graziano who had other successful business pursuits. Colbert and Fischer approached and recruited the eighteen-year-old vocalist Chaka Khan
(née Yvette Stevens) at a south-side club called the "Pumpkin Room" where she sang with a local Chicago group called Lock and Chain led by drummer Scotty Harris. With that change and Paulette McWilliams pursuing her solo career, the group simply became Rufus with its main focus on Stockert, while Khan became its official second lead vocalist.
The group quickly re-entered the same studio to record their follow-up album "Rags to Rufus" that included the Stevie Wonder song "Tell Me Something Good," Ray Parker Jr's and Khan's "You Got The Love" and Dennis Belfield’s "In Love We Grow," and "Smokin' Room." Stockert, Ciner and Belfield would leave the group shortly after the album was completed. Los Angeles-based keyboardist Nate Morgan replaced Stockert. Additionally, Tony Maiden and bassist Bobby Watson, also from Los Angeles, were recruited by drummer Andre Fischer and asked to join the group. Maiden's, Watson's and Morgan's addition to Rufus added a unique sound to the group, bringing a stronger funk and jazz influence to compliment Chaka's now emerging powerful lead vocals.
-penned "Tell Me Something Good
" and the Parker-Khan composition, "You Got the Love
" — became smash hits leading to Rags to Rufus going platinum and also landed them opening spots for the tours of several top stars including (Stevie Wonder, Cheech and Chong and the Hues Corporation. "Tell Me Something Good" also brought Rufus their first Grammy Award
. Due to Khan's increasing popularity Rufus and ABC appropriately billed the group as Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan. With this new billing, the band recorded and quickly released their next album, Rufusized
in 1974. Another platinum success, the group entered the top ten again with the funk singles, "Once You Get Started," "Stop On By," "I'm A Woman," and "Pack'd My Bags" (later sampled for Jody Watley
's "Lovin' You So") and "Please Pardon Me (You Remind Me of a Friend)", penned by good friend Brenda Russell
, which became popular among the group's legion of fans.
Heading into 1975, the group headlined their first major tour, with Khan attracting attention in concert reviews for her powerhouse
vocals and sexy attire
— so much so that when it came to do photo sets, Khan was often the only artist chosen to be featured on covers, mainly on magazines such as Jet
, which Khan would be heavily featured on throughout her long career. Also due to her off-stage antics that added to her on-stage persona, the media billed Khan as "the wild child". Due to Khan's vocal power and sex appeal, she was often compared to Tina Turner
, whith some rock and soul press labeling her a "pint-sized Tina", and also to Aretha Franklin
(her friends called her "little Aretha"). Attention to Khan began to make things difficult for some of the group's members as they felt Khan's presence had overshadowed the entire band's output. The group's fourth release, and the third major release where Khan was dominant lead singer, Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan, was released in 1975. The major hit off the album was a Khan and Tony Maiden composition titled "Sweet Thing
" which reached the top five of the charts and became their fourth record to reach gold.
Despite the album's success as well as a second successful major tour that followed, it still didn't stop growing tensions within the group, particularly between Khan and longtime Rufus drummer Andre Fischer. During recording sessions of Ask Rufus
, Khan had married Richard Holland (she had divorced her first husband Hassan Khan in 1974 prior to the birth of their child Milini), and the presence of Holland only made things worse between Khan and Fischer. During one session of Ask Rufus, Fischer engaged in a fight with Holland, who received help from a counter-attacking Khan. Ask Rufus would be released in 1977 and include the hits "At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up)
", "Hollywood" and "Everlasting Love", the latter two songs becoming popular among Khan fans. Following a tour to promote Ask Rufus, Fischer finally left the group. He was followed out of the group by Nate Morgan. They were replaced by Richard "Moon" Calhoun and Dave "Hawk" Wolinski
, respectively. The new lineup recorded the popular album, Street Player
, which featured the popular Khan-composed ballad, "Stay". After first putting it off as a rumor, Khan confirmed to media reports that she was going solo, signing a deal with Warner Bros. Records
. The decision strained relations between Khan and the other Rufus members. Khan released her self-titled debut
later in 1978. The album sold more than Street Player, going platinum, thanks to the international Ashford & Simpson
-composed single, "I'm Every Woman
". Khan continued to promote the album into 1979. In early 1979, Calhoun would be replaced by John "J.R." Robinson as the group's drummer in 1979.
, bringing the group to MCA as a result. While Khan promoted Chaka, Rufus put out a less favorably received Khan-less album, Numbers
, which tanked. Khan returned to record with the band for the Quincy Jones
-produced Masterjam
. By now, Rufus and Khan were split in two, both acts being treated separately. Khan's superstardom helped Masterjam go gold thanks to the funk-laden disco recording, "Do You Love What You Feel
".
Though Khan would later say that she was ready to leave Rufus upon the time she released Chaka in 1978, she discovered that she had two more albums left in her ABC/MCA contract with the band and agreed to fulfill her obligations. Following Masterjam, one of the contractual albums, and another Khan-less album, Party 'Til You're Broke
, which bombed, the factions of Rufus and Khan reunited for their last MCA album, Camouflage
in 1981. The feelings of long overdrawn bad tensions were felt during album sessions with Khan recording her vocals without the band present with the band's instrumentation later added to Khan's vocals. The album failed to garner attention mainly due to Khan's solo obligations, which now included two more gold-certified studio albums, Naughty
and What Cha' Gonna Do for Me. With the release of Camouflage, Khan was free to leave the group. Following her exit in early 1982, the remaining members of Rufus released what became their final studio album, Seal in Red
in 1983 which, like previous albums, went unnoticed.
Rufus band members sensed that their tenure was over and agreed to split on the terms they release a live album to commemorate the occasion. The band asked Khan to contribute to their final concert performance, and she obliged, reuniting with the group for what was to be a documentary film
on their concert titled Stompin' At the Savoy. For some reason, Warner Bros. refused to release the film and instead released only the live album
. The album included four Khan-led studio songs, including a Dave Wolinski composition titled "Ain't Nobody
", which got attention when a producer for the film, Breakin'
heard it while screening songs for the movie's soundtrack. Warner eventually released the song (with the billing Rufus and Chaka Khan) and the song became a top 30 Billboard Hot 100
hit, reaching number-one on the R&B chart and hitting number eight on the UK singles chart. The success of the track led to the band receiving its second Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
. Following this success, Rufus went their separate ways for good with Khan continuing her career, becoming one of the most revered R&B artists of her generation with the release of the single, "I Feel for You
", cementing her reputation.
. When discussing another potential reunion with Rufus during a 2008 interview with Billboard
, Khan said the band's classic lineup (which includes Andre Fischer and Nate Morgan) had no plans on reuniting, with Khan stating that touring with Tony Maiden, one of the few Rufus band mates Khan kept a close friendship with, was the closest to another Rufus reunion. A lineup of Rufus including Bobby Watson and J.R. Robinson and Khan's daughter Milini started a short tour in 2008. Neither founding member Kevin Murphy, mainstay Tony Maiden nor Dave Wolinski participated in this tour. In September 2011, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame committee announced that the band and Khan were jointly nominated for induction to the 27th annual class. They had been eligible since 1999 (with the committee counting the band's first album as Rags to Rufus rather than 1973's Rufus). It was their first year of nomination. Earlier in the year, Khan received a solo star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame
.
1 - Khan would depart from Rufus to record her solo smash, Chaka
, in 1978, but would remain contracted to the group through 1982. Khan then reunited in 1983 for the group's final album, the live release, Stompin' at the Savoy - Live
.
songs, including Quincy Jones
' "Body Heat". "Ain't Nobody" would be covered by many artists, including Kelly Price
, Faith Evans
, and George Michael
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
from Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
best known for launching the career of lead singer Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
. They had several hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
s throughout their career, including "Tell Me Something Good
Tell Me Something Good
"Tell Me Something Good" is a song by Rufus and Chaka Khan, released in 1974. It was a big hit peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, though it didn't chart in the United Kingdom. Written by Stevie Wonder, the song is among the earliest hits to use the guitar talk box. The single...
," "Sweet Thing
Sweet Thing (Chaka Khan song)
"Sweet Thing" is a soul single that was first a hit with Rufus featuring Chaka Khan when they recorded the song in 1975 eventually reaching number-one on the R&B singles chart and number five on the pop chart...
," and "Ain't Nobody
Ain't Nobody
"Ain't Nobody" is a 1983 hit single by Rufus & Chaka Khan. It was released as a studio bonus track on the band's live album Stompin' at the Savoy. It reached number one on the U.S. R&B chart and twenty-two on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart...
."
Origins
In 1967, The American Breed Gary Luizo, Al Ciner, Charles (Chuck) Colbert and Lee Graziano had a top ten hit with the classic rock single, "Bend Me, Shape Me". After much success, Ciner, Colbert and Graziano (without Luizo who pursued a successful production career) created a new group, adding Kevin Murphy on keyboards and Vern Pilder from the bar band Circus. They re-emerged in 1969 under the name Smoke. In 1970, female vocalist Paulette McWilliams and vocalist James Stella were added and the group's name changed again to Ask Rufus. Willie Weeks would replace Vern Pilder.In 1971, the band signed a contract with Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
recording an album that wasn't released. Willie Weeks was replaced by Dennis Belfield. In early 1972 Epic dropped their contract and James Stella was replaced by keyboardist and vocalist Ron Stockert. Former Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler drummer Andre Fischer, replaced Lee Graziano who had other successful business pursuits. Colbert and Fischer approached and recruited the eighteen-year-old vocalist Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
(née Yvette Stevens) at a south-side club called the "Pumpkin Room" where she sang with a local Chicago group called Lock and Chain led by drummer Scotty Harris. With that change and Paulette McWilliams pursuing her solo career, the group simply became Rufus with its main focus on Stockert, while Khan became its official second lead vocalist.
Early career
In 1972 the group contacted friend and newly-hired ABC Dunhill A&R executive Bob Monaco and flew him to Chicago to watch the group perform for consideration to be one of his first signings. Monaco returned to Los Angeles, convinced the label to give him a demo budget and then quickly returned to Chicago where the group recorded eleven songs in two days at Marty Feldman's Paragon Studios. After taking the demo tapes back to ABC Dunhill the group was immediately asked to sign a long term recording contract. Khan, who at eighteen she was still a minor, had to have her mother participate. The singer had just married Hassan Khan, who was a bassist of a former band that she fronted. The group then drove to Los Angeles and recorded their first "Rufus" album at Quantum Recording Studios in Torrance, California. That album was released in 1973. While the songs "Whoever's Thrilling You (Is Killing Me)" and "Feel Good" (both songs led by Khan) brought the group some attention from R&B radio stations, the album itself had minimal sales and the Stockert-led "Slip & Slide" failed to catch major attention from pop radio.The group quickly re-entered the same studio to record their follow-up album "Rags to Rufus" that included the Stevie Wonder song "Tell Me Something Good," Ray Parker Jr's and Khan's "You Got The Love" and Dennis Belfield’s "In Love We Grow," and "Smokin' Room." Stockert, Ciner and Belfield would leave the group shortly after the album was completed. Los Angeles-based keyboardist Nate Morgan replaced Stockert. Additionally, Tony Maiden and bassist Bobby Watson, also from Los Angeles, were recruited by drummer Andre Fischer and asked to join the group. Maiden's, Watson's and Morgan's addition to Rufus added a unique sound to the group, bringing a stronger funk and jazz influence to compliment Chaka's now emerging powerful lead vocals.
Success, stardom and tension
Rags to Rufus was released in 1973 and two of its singles — the Stevie WonderStevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
-penned "Tell Me Something Good
Tell Me Something Good
"Tell Me Something Good" is a song by Rufus and Chaka Khan, released in 1974. It was a big hit peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, though it didn't chart in the United Kingdom. Written by Stevie Wonder, the song is among the earliest hits to use the guitar talk box. The single...
" and the Parker-Khan composition, "You Got the Love
You Got the Love
"You Got the Love" is a 1986 single by the band The Source and Candi Staton. One of its many remixers also adopted the name The Source. In 2008, the song was recorded by English soul singer Joss Stone for her fourth studio album, "Colour Me Free!" released in October 2009...
" — became smash hits leading to Rags to Rufus going platinum and also landed them opening spots for the tours of several top stars including (Stevie Wonder, Cheech and Chong and the Hues Corporation. "Tell Me Something Good" also brought Rufus their first Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
. Due to Khan's increasing popularity Rufus and ABC appropriately billed the group as Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan. With this new billing, the band recorded and quickly released their next album, Rufusized
Rufusized
-Personnel:*Chaka Khan – lead vocals, background vocals*Tony Maiden – lead guitar, background vocals*Kevin Murphy – organ, clavinette, background vocals, acoustic piano, arp synthesizer*Bobby Watson – bass, background vocals...
in 1974. Another platinum success, the group entered the top ten again with the funk singles, "Once You Get Started," "Stop On By," "I'm A Woman," and "Pack'd My Bags" (later sampled for Jody Watley
Jody Watley
Jody Vanessa Watley is an American, singer, songwriter, record producer, and founder of Avitone Records whose music crosses genres from Pop, R&B, Jazz, Dance and Electronic Soul....
's "Lovin' You So") and "Please Pardon Me (You Remind Me of a Friend)", penned by good friend Brenda Russell
Brenda Russell
Brenda Russell is an American-Canadian singer-songwriter and keyboardist. Known for her eclectic musical style, her recordings have encompassed several different genres, including pop, soul, dance, jazz and adult contemporary...
, which became popular among the group's legion of fans.
Heading into 1975, the group headlined their first major tour, with Khan attracting attention in concert reviews for her powerhouse
Powerhouse
Powerhouse or Power House may refer to:* Power station, a facility for the generation of electric power* The Power-House, a 1916 novel by John Buchan* Powerhouse Arts District, Jersey City...
vocals and sexy attire
Sex symbol
A sex symbol is a celebrity of either gender, typically an actor, musician, supermodel, teen idol, or sports star, noted for their sex appeal. The term was first used in the mid 1950s in relation to the popularity of certain Hollywood stars, especially Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte...
— so much so that when it came to do photo sets, Khan was often the only artist chosen to be featured on covers, mainly on magazines such as Jet
Jet (magazine)
Jet is an American weekly marketed toward African-American readers, founded in 1951 by John H. Johnson of Johnson Publishing Company in Chicago, Illinois...
, which Khan would be heavily featured on throughout her long career. Also due to her off-stage antics that added to her on-stage persona, the media billed Khan as "the wild child". Due to Khan's vocal power and sex appeal, she was often compared to Tina Turner
Tina Turner
Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
, whith some rock and soul press labeling her a "pint-sized Tina", and also to Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
(her friends called her "little Aretha"). Attention to Khan began to make things difficult for some of the group's members as they felt Khan's presence had overshadowed the entire band's output. The group's fourth release, and the third major release where Khan was dominant lead singer, Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan, was released in 1975. The major hit off the album was a Khan and Tony Maiden composition titled "Sweet Thing
Sweet Thing (Chaka Khan song)
"Sweet Thing" is a soul single that was first a hit with Rufus featuring Chaka Khan when they recorded the song in 1975 eventually reaching number-one on the R&B singles chart and number five on the pop chart...
" which reached the top five of the charts and became their fourth record to reach gold.
Despite the album's success as well as a second successful major tour that followed, it still didn't stop growing tensions within the group, particularly between Khan and longtime Rufus drummer Andre Fischer. During recording sessions of Ask Rufus
Ask Rufus
-Personnel:*Chaka Khan – lead vocals, background vocals*Tony Maiden – guitar, background vocals*Kevin Murphy – keyboards, background vocals*Bobby Watson – bass, background vocals*André Fischer – drums, background vocals...
, Khan had married Richard Holland (she had divorced her first husband Hassan Khan in 1974 prior to the birth of their child Milini), and the presence of Holland only made things worse between Khan and Fischer. During one session of Ask Rufus, Fischer engaged in a fight with Holland, who received help from a counter-attacking Khan. Ask Rufus would be released in 1977 and include the hits "At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up)
At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up)
"At Midnight " was a hit song by R&B/funk band Rufus featuring Chaka Khan in 1977. Released from their hit album, Ask Rufus, it spent two weeks at number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart and peaked at number thirty on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart..-Chart positions:...
", "Hollywood" and "Everlasting Love", the latter two songs becoming popular among Khan fans. Following a tour to promote Ask Rufus, Fischer finally left the group. He was followed out of the group by Nate Morgan. They were replaced by Richard "Moon" Calhoun and Dave "Hawk" Wolinski
Hawk Wolinski
David J. "Hawk" Wolinski is an American keyboardist, songwriter and record producer probably best known for his work with the funk band Rufus and their lead singer Chaka Khan....
, respectively. The new lineup recorded the popular album, Street Player
Street Player
-Personnel:*Chaka Khan – lead vocals, background vocals*Tony Maiden – guitar, percussion, lead vocals, background vocals*Kevin Murphy – keyboards*Bobby Watson – bass, percussion*David "Hawk" Wolinski – keyboards, background vocals...
, which featured the popular Khan-composed ballad, "Stay". After first putting it off as a rumor, Khan confirmed to media reports that she was going solo, signing a deal with Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
. The decision strained relations between Khan and the other Rufus members. Khan released her self-titled debut
Chaka (1978 album)
Chaka is the debut solo album by American R&B/funk singer Chaka Khan, released on the Warner Bros. Records label in 1978.- Overview :Two singles were released from Chaka, the first being her anthemic solo debut "I'm Every Woman", one of Khan's signature tunes alongside "Ain't Nobody" and "I Feel...
later in 1978. The album sold more than Street Player, going platinum, thanks to the international Ashford & Simpson
Ashford & Simpson
Nickolas Ashford , and Valerie Simpson , were a husband and wife songwriting/production team and recording artists....
-composed single, "I'm Every Woman
I'm Every Woman
"I'm Every Woman" is a hit song recorded by Chaka Khan in 1978. It was Chaka Khan's first hit outside of her recordings with funk band Rufus; the song was included on her platinum debut solo album Chaka. Produced by Arif Mardin and written by successful songwriting team Nickolas Ashford and Valerie...
". Khan continued to promote the album into 1979. In early 1979, Calhoun would be replaced by John "J.R." Robinson as the group's drummer in 1979.
Decline and final years
Following the Calhoun replacement, another change came when ABC Records got absorbed by MCAMCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
, bringing the group to MCA as a result. While Khan promoted Chaka, Rufus put out a less favorably received Khan-less album, Numbers
Numbers (Rufus album)
Numbers is the seventh studio album by funk band Rufus, released on the ABC Records label in 1978. It was the band's first album without Chaka Khan on lead vocals...
, which tanked. Khan returned to record with the band for the Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
-produced Masterjam
Masterjam
Masterjam is the eighth studio album by funk band Rufus , their debut on the MCA Records label following their purchase and dissolution of ABC Records, released in 1979.-History:...
. By now, Rufus and Khan were split in two, both acts being treated separately. Khan's superstardom helped Masterjam go gold thanks to the funk-laden disco recording, "Do You Love What You Feel
Do You Love What You Feel
"Do You Love What You Feel" is a well known soul/disco song by Rufus and Chaka. Released in late 1979 from the Quincy Jones produced album, Masterjam, it spent three weeks at the top of the Hot Soul Singles chart, becoming the fourth of five songs that they would send to the top of that chart. It...
".
Though Khan would later say that she was ready to leave Rufus upon the time she released Chaka in 1978, she discovered that she had two more albums left in her ABC/MCA contract with the band and agreed to fulfill her obligations. Following Masterjam, one of the contractual albums, and another Khan-less album, Party 'Til You're Broke
Party 'Til You're Broke
Party Til' You're Broke is the ninth studio album by funk band Rufus, released on the MCA Records label in 1981. Party 'Til You're Broke which was the band's second album not to be fronted by Chaka Khan reached #24 on Billboards R&B Albums chart and #73 on Pop and included the singles "Tonight We...
, which bombed, the factions of Rufus and Khan reunited for their last MCA album, Camouflage
Camouflage (Rufus album)
Camouflage is the tenth studio album by funk band Rufus , released on the MCA Records label in 1981. Camouflage peaked at #15 on Billboards R&B Albums chart and stalled at #98 on Pop...
in 1981. The feelings of long overdrawn bad tensions were felt during album sessions with Khan recording her vocals without the band present with the band's instrumentation later added to Khan's vocals. The album failed to garner attention mainly due to Khan's solo obligations, which now included two more gold-certified studio albums, Naughty
Naughty (Chaka Khan album)
Naughty is the second solo album by American R&B/funk singer Chaka Khan, released on Warner Bros. Records in 1980.- Biography :Three singles were released from Naughty: the club hit "Clouds" , "Get Ready, Get Set" and the big hit "Papillon "...
and What Cha' Gonna Do for Me. With the release of Camouflage, Khan was free to leave the group. Following her exit in early 1982, the remaining members of Rufus released what became their final studio album, Seal in Red
Seal in Red
Seal in Red is the eleventh and final studio album by funk band Rufus, their debut on the Warner Bros. Records label, released in 1983. Seal in Red, which was the band's third album to be recorded without Chaka Khan, peaked at #49 on Billboards R&B Albums chart and included the single "Take It to...
in 1983 which, like previous albums, went unnoticed.
Rufus band members sensed that their tenure was over and agreed to split on the terms they release a live album to commemorate the occasion. The band asked Khan to contribute to their final concert performance, and she obliged, reuniting with the group for what was to be a documentary film
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
on their concert titled Stompin' At the Savoy. For some reason, Warner Bros. refused to release the film and instead released only the live album
Stompin' at the Savoy - Live
Stompin' at the Savoy – Live is an album by American R&B/funk band Rufus, , released on the Warner Bros. Records label in 1983....
. The album included four Khan-led studio songs, including a Dave Wolinski composition titled "Ain't Nobody
Ain't Nobody
"Ain't Nobody" is a 1983 hit single by Rufus & Chaka Khan. It was released as a studio bonus track on the band's live album Stompin' at the Savoy. It reached number one on the U.S. R&B chart and twenty-two on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart...
", which got attention when a producer for the film, Breakin'
Breakin'
Breakin', released as Breakdance: The Movie in some countries, is a 1984 breakdancing-themed film directed by Joel Silberg. The film setting was inspired by a German documentary entitled Breakin' and Enterin set in the Los Angeles multi-racial hip hop club Radiotron, based out of Macarthur Park in...
heard it while screening songs for the movie's soundtrack. Warner eventually released the song (with the billing Rufus and Chaka Khan) and the song became a top 30 Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
hit, reaching number-one on the R&B chart and hitting number eight on the UK singles chart. The success of the track led to the band receiving its second Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
The Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal was awarded between 1970 and 2011. From 1967 to 1969 and in 1971 the award included instrumental performances...
. Following this success, Rufus went their separate ways for good with Khan continuing her career, becoming one of the most revered R&B artists of her generation with the release of the single, "I Feel for You
I Feel for You
"I Feel for You" is a song written by Prince that originally appeared on his 1979 self-titled album. It became a hit single in 1984 for female R&B singer Chaka Khan, appearing on her album, which was also called I Feel for You...
", cementing her reputation.
Later years
In 2001, Rufus (Kevin Murphy, Tony Maiden, Bobby Watson, Dave Wolinski and J.R. Robinson) and Chaka Khan reunited for a brief tour, which Khan described in her autobiography, Chaka! Through the Fire (co-written with Tonya Bolden), in 2003. Khan and Maiden reunited on the modernized Rufus medley, "Pack'd My Bags"/ "You Got the Love", on Khan's double Grammy Award-winning 2007 album, Funk ThisFunk This
Funk This is the eleventh studio album by American R&B singer-songwriter Chaka Khan. The album was released September 25, 2007 on Burgundy Records and received two Grammy Awards...
. When discussing another potential reunion with Rufus during a 2008 interview with Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
, Khan said the band's classic lineup (which includes Andre Fischer and Nate Morgan) had no plans on reuniting, with Khan stating that touring with Tony Maiden, one of the few Rufus band mates Khan kept a close friendship with, was the closest to another Rufus reunion. A lineup of Rufus including Bobby Watson and J.R. Robinson and Khan's daughter Milini started a short tour in 2008. Neither founding member Kevin Murphy, mainstay Tony Maiden nor Dave Wolinski participated in this tour. In September 2011, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame committee announced that the band and Khan were jointly nominated for induction to the 27th annual class. They had been eligible since 1999 (with the committee counting the band's first album as Rags to Rufus rather than 1973's Rufus). It was their first year of nomination. Earlier in the year, Khan received a solo star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...
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Rufus
(also known as Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, Rufus and Chaka and Rufus and Chaka Khan)1972-1974
- Kevin MurphyKevin Murphy (musician)Kevin Murphy is an American keyboardist. He has played with The American Breed and was a founder of Rufus .-References:...
- Al Ciner
- Andre Fischer
- Ron Stockert
- Chaka KhanChaka KhanChaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
- Dennis Belfield
1977-1979
- Chaka Khan1
- Tony Maiden
- Kevin Murphy
- Richard "Moon" Calhoun
- Bobby Watson
- Dave "Hawk" WolinskiHawk WolinskiDavid J. "Hawk" Wolinski is an American keyboardist, songwriter and record producer probably best known for his work with the funk band Rufus and their lead singer Chaka Khan....
1979-1983
- Chaka Khan1
- Tony Maiden
- Kevin Murphy
- John "J.R." Robinson
- Bobby Watson
- Dave "Hawk" Wolinski
1 - Khan would depart from Rufus to record her solo smash, Chaka
Chaka (1978 album)
Chaka is the debut solo album by American R&B/funk singer Chaka Khan, released on the Warner Bros. Records label in 1978.- Overview :Two singles were released from Chaka, the first being her anthemic solo debut "I'm Every Woman", one of Khan's signature tunes alongside "Ain't Nobody" and "I Feel...
, in 1978, but would remain contracted to the group through 1982. Khan then reunited in 1983 for the group's final album, the live release, Stompin' at the Savoy - Live
Stompin' at the Savoy - Live
Stompin' at the Savoy – Live is an album by American R&B/funk band Rufus, , released on the Warner Bros. Records label in 1983....
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Studio albums
| Year | Album | Chart positions | US certifications |
Record label | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US R&B Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
UK UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
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| 1973 | Rufus | 175 | 44 | — | — | ABC ABC Records ABC Records was an American record label, founded in New York City in 1955 as ABC-Paramount Records. It originated as the main popular music label operated the Am-Par Record Corporation, the music subsidiary of the American Broadcasting Company . ABC-Paramount Records' first president was Samuel H.... |
| 1974 | Rags to Rufus Rags to Rufus -Personnel:*Chaka Khan – lead vocals, background vocals*Dennis Belfield – background vocals, bass*André Fischer – drums, percussion, background vocals*Kevin Murphy – organ, clavinette, background vocals... |
4 | 4 | — | Gold | |
| Rufusized Rufusized -Personnel:*Chaka Khan – lead vocals, background vocals*Tony Maiden – lead guitar, background vocals*Kevin Murphy – organ, clavinette, background vocals, acoustic piano, arp synthesizer*Bobby Watson – bass, background vocals... |
7 | 2 | 48 | Gold | ||
| 1975 | Rufus featuring Chaka Khan | 7 | 1 | — | Gold | |
| 1977 | Ask Rufus Ask Rufus -Personnel:*Chaka Khan – lead vocals, background vocals*Tony Maiden – guitar, background vocals*Kevin Murphy – keyboards, background vocals*Bobby Watson – bass, background vocals*André Fischer – drums, background vocals... |
12 | 1 | — | Platinum | |
| 1978 | Street Player Street Player -Personnel:*Chaka Khan – lead vocals, background vocals*Tony Maiden – guitar, percussion, lead vocals, background vocals*Kevin Murphy – keyboards*Bobby Watson – bass, percussion*David "Hawk" Wolinski – keyboards, background vocals... |
14 | 1 | — | Gold | |
| 1979 | Numbers Numbers (Rufus album) Numbers is the seventh studio album by funk band Rufus, released on the ABC Records label in 1978. It was the band's first album without Chaka Khan on lead vocals... |
81 | 15 | — | — | |
| Masterjam Masterjam Masterjam is the eighth studio album by funk band Rufus , their debut on the MCA Records label following their purchase and dissolution of ABC Records, released in 1979.-History:... |
14 | 1 | — | Gold | MCA MCA Records MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003... |
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| 1981 | Party 'Til You're Broke Party 'Til You're Broke Party Til' You're Broke is the ninth studio album by funk band Rufus, released on the MCA Records label in 1981. Party 'Til You're Broke which was the band's second album not to be fronted by Chaka Khan reached #24 on Billboards R&B Albums chart and #73 on Pop and included the singles "Tonight We... |
73 | 24 | — | — | |
| Camouflage Camouflage (Rufus album) Camouflage is the tenth studio album by funk band Rufus , released on the MCA Records label in 1981. Camouflage peaked at #15 on Billboards R&B Albums chart and stalled at #98 on Pop... |
98 | 15 | — | — | ||
| 1983 | Seal in Red Seal in Red Seal in Red is the eleventh and final studio album by funk band Rufus, their debut on the Warner Bros. Records label, released in 1983. Seal in Red, which was the band's third album to be recorded without Chaka Khan, peaked at #49 on Billboards R&B Albums chart and included the single "Take It to... |
— | 49 | — | — | Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Records Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies... |
| "—" denotes the album failed to chart or was not certified | ||||||
Live albums
| Year | Album | Chart positions | US certifications |
Record label | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US R&B Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
UK UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
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| 1983 | Stompin' at the Savoy – Live | 50 | 4 | 64 | — | Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Records Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies... |
| "—" denotes the album failed to chart or was not certified | ||||||
Compilation albums
| Year | Album | Chart positions | US certifications |
Record label | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US R&B Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
UK UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
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| 1982 | The Very Best of Rufus featuring Chaka Khan The Very Best of Rufus featuring Chaka Khan The Very Best of Rufus featuring Chaka Khan is a greatest hits album by funk band Rufus , originally released on the MCA Records label in 1982. The collection comprises ten of the group's biggest hits on the ABC/MCA labels, including "You Got the Love," "Sweet Thing"... |
— | — | — | — | MCA MCA Records MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003... |
| "—" denotes the album failed to chart or was not certified | ||||||
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
US Dance |
UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
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| 1973 | "Slip 'n Slide" | 110 | — | — | — | Rufus Rufus (1973 album) -Personnel:* Chaka Khan - vocals, background vocals* Dennis Belfield - acoustic bass guitar, electric bass, background vocals* Al Ciner - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals* André Fischer - percussion, drums, background vocals... |
| "Whoever's Thrilling You (Is Killing Me)" | — | 40 | — | — | ||
| "Feel Good" | — | 45 | — | — | ||
| 1974 | "Tell Me Something Good Tell Me Something Good "Tell Me Something Good" is a song by Rufus and Chaka Khan, released in 1974. It was a big hit peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, though it didn't chart in the United Kingdom. Written by Stevie Wonder, the song is among the earliest hits to use the guitar talk box. The single... " |
3 | 3 | — | — | Rags to Rufus Rags to Rufus -Personnel:*Chaka Khan – lead vocals, background vocals*Dennis Belfield – background vocals, bass*André Fischer – drums, percussion, background vocals*Kevin Murphy – organ, clavinette, background vocals... |
| "You Got the Love You Got the Love (Rufus song) "You Got the Love" is a hit song for the funk band Rufus. It was written by Ray Parker, Jr. and Chaka Khan. From the Rags to Rufus album, it spent one week at number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart in 1974. It also peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart... " |
11 | 1 | — | — | ||
| 1975 | "Once You Get Started Once You Get Started Once You Get Started is a horn-driven funk number written by musician Gavin Christopher and recorded and released by the band Rufus featuring Chaka Khan in late 1974. It later peaked at number-ten on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975 giving the group their second top ten single and third top forty... " |
10 | 4 | 6 | — | Rufusized Rufusized -Personnel:*Chaka Khan – lead vocals, background vocals*Tony Maiden – lead guitar, background vocals*Kevin Murphy – organ, clavinette, background vocals, acoustic piano, arp synthesizer*Bobby Watson – bass, background vocals... |
| "Please Pardon Me (You Remind Me of a Friend)" | 48 | 6 | — | — | ||
| "Sweet Thing Sweet Thing (Chaka Khan song) "Sweet Thing" is a soul single that was first a hit with Rufus featuring Chaka Khan when they recorded the song in 1975 eventually reaching number-one on the R&B singles chart and number five on the pop chart... " |
5 | 1 | — | — | Rufus featuring Chaka Khan | |
| 1976 | "Dance Wit Me" | 39 | 5 | — | — | |
| "Jive Talkin' Jive Talkin' "Jive Talkin" is a song by the Bee Gees, which hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top-five on the UK singles chart in the summer of 1975. Largely recognized as the group's "comeback" song, it was their first U.S. top ten hit since "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" in... " |
— | 35 | — | — | ||
| 1977 | "At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up) At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up) "At Midnight " was a hit song by R&B/funk band Rufus featuring Chaka Khan in 1977. Released from their hit album, Ask Rufus, it spent two weeks at number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart and peaked at number thirty on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart..-Chart positions:... " |
30 | 1 | 37 | — | Ask Rufus Ask Rufus -Personnel:*Chaka Khan – lead vocals, background vocals*Tony Maiden – guitar, background vocals*Kevin Murphy – keyboards, background vocals*Bobby Watson – bass, background vocals*André Fischer – drums, background vocals... |
| "Hollywood" | 32 | 3 | — | — | ||
| "Everlasting Love" | — | 17 | — | — | ||
| 1978 | "Stay" | 38 | 3 | — | — | Street Player Street Player -Personnel:*Chaka Khan – lead vocals, background vocals*Tony Maiden – guitar, percussion, lead vocals, background vocals*Kevin Murphy – keyboards*Bobby Watson – bass, percussion*David "Hawk" Wolinski – keyboards, background vocals... |
| "Blue Love" | 105 | 34 | — | — | ||
| 1979 | "Keep It Together (Declaration of Love)" | 109 | 16 | — | — | Numbers Numbers (Rufus album) Numbers is the seventh studio album by funk band Rufus, released on the ABC Records label in 1978. It was the band's first album without Chaka Khan on lead vocals... |
| "Ain't Nobody Like You" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Do You Love What You Feel" | 30 | 1 | 5 | — | Masterjam Masterjam Masterjam is the eighth studio album by funk band Rufus , their debut on the MCA Records label following their purchase and dissolution of ABC Records, released in 1979.-History:... |
|
| 1980 | "Any Love" | 102 | 24 | — | ||
| "I'm Dancing for Your Love" | — | 43 | — | — | ||
| 1981 | "Tonight We Love" | — | 18 | 64 | — | Party 'Til You're Broke Party 'Til You're Broke Party Til' You're Broke is the ninth studio album by funk band Rufus, released on the MCA Records label in 1981. Party 'Til You're Broke which was the band's second album not to be fronted by Chaka Khan reached #24 on Billboards R&B Albums chart and #73 on Pop and included the singles "Tonight We... |
| "Hold on to a Friend" | — | 56 | — | — | ||
| "Sharing the Love" | 91 | 8 | — | — | Camouflage Camouflage (Rufus album) Camouflage is the tenth studio album by funk band Rufus , released on the MCA Records label in 1981. Camouflage peaked at #15 on Billboards R&B Albums chart and stalled at #98 on Pop... |
|
| 1982 | "Better Together" | — | 66 | 56 | — | |
| 1983 | "Take It to the Top" | — | 47 | — | — | Seal in Red Seal in Red Seal in Red is the eleventh and final studio album by funk band Rufus, their debut on the Warner Bros. Records label, released in 1983. Seal in Red, which was the band's third album to be recorded without Chaka Khan, peaked at #49 on Billboards R&B Albums chart and included the single "Take It to... |
| "Ain't Nobody Ain't Nobody "Ain't Nobody" is a 1983 hit single by Rufus & Chaka Khan. It was released as a studio bonus track on the band's live album Stompin' at the Savoy. It reached number one on the U.S. R&B chart and twenty-two on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart... " |
22 | 1 | 6 | 8 | Stompin' at the Savoy – Live | |
| 1984 | "One Million Kisses" | 102 | 37 | 67 | 86 | |
| 1989 | "Ain't Nobody" (with Chaka Khan Chaka Khan Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career... ) (Remix) |
— | — | 1 | 6 | Life Is a Dance: The Remix Project |
| "—" denotes the single failed to chart | ||||||
Grammy Awards
- 1974: Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with VocalsGrammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with VocalsThe Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal was awarded between 1970 and 2011. From 1967 to 1969 and in 1971 the award included instrumental performances...
: "Tell Me Something GoodTell Me Something Good"Tell Me Something Good" is a song by Rufus and Chaka Khan, released in 1974. It was a big hit peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, though it didn't chart in the United Kingdom. Written by Stevie Wonder, the song is among the earliest hits to use the guitar talk box. The single...
" - Win - 1978: Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with VocalsGrammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with VocalsThe Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal was awarded between 1970 and 2011. From 1967 to 1969 and in 1971 the award included instrumental performances...
: Ask RufusAsk Rufus-Personnel:*Chaka Khan – lead vocals, background vocals*Tony Maiden – guitar, background vocals*Kevin Murphy – keyboards, background vocals*Bobby Watson – bass, background vocals*André Fischer – drums, background vocals...
- Nomination - 1983: Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with VocalsGrammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with VocalsThe Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal was awarded between 1970 and 2011. From 1967 to 1969 and in 1971 the award included instrumental performances...
: "Ain't NobodyAin't Nobody"Ain't Nobody" is a 1983 hit single by Rufus & Chaka Khan. It was released as a studio bonus track on the band's live album Stompin' at the Savoy. It reached number one on the U.S. R&B chart and twenty-two on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart...
" - Win
Covers
Rufus coveredCover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
songs, including Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
' "Body Heat". "Ain't Nobody" would be covered by many artists, including Kelly Price
Kelly Price
Kelly Price is an American R&B and soul singer, formerly on the Def Soul label.-Life and music career:Kelly Cherelle Price was born in Queens, New York. She was first discovered by Mariah Carey in February 1992 and subsequently introduced to Sony Columbia's then CEO Tommy Mottola...
, Faith Evans
Faith Evans
Faith Renée Evans is an American singer-songwriter, recording artist, record producer, actress and author. Born in Florida and raised in New Jersey, Evans relocated to Los Angeles during 1993 for a career with the music business. After working as a backing vocalist for Al B...
, and George Michael
George Michael
George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
.
External links
- Rufus Official website
- [ Rufus] at Allmusic