Rufus

The funk band Rufus launched the career of lead singer Chaka Khan and enjoyed massive success in the ’70s with hits like “Tell Me Something Good” and “Sweet Thing.” • The roots of Rufus lay in the Chicago band The American Breed. Members of that group came together to form Rufus (originally Ask Rufus), featuring Chaka Khan on vocals. • Rufus debuted with a 1973 self-titled album that hewed closer to rock and pop than their funkier later material. The LP includes a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Maybe Your Baby.” • Their next album, Rags to Rufus, features a song Wonder composed especially for the group: “Tell Me Something Good.” It reached No. 3 on both the pop and R&B charts and took home the Grammy for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. • The band went on to release a string of successful ’70s albums, topping the R&B charts with 1975’s Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan, 1977’s Ask Rufus, 1978’s Street Player, and 1979’s Masterjam. • By the end of the ’70s, Rufus had scored four No. 1 R&B singles and three Top 10 pop hits. • As Khan’s solo career beckoned, the band alternated between releasing disappointing albums sans Chaka (Numbers, Party ’Til You’re Broke) and bouncing back with her participation (Masterjam, Camouflage). • Khan left the group following 1983’s Stompin’ at the Savoy, which gave the group their final No. 1 R&B hit, “Ain’t Nobody.” The song earned them a Grammy for R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.