Rufus

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About 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.

ORIGIN
Chicago, IL, United States
FORMED
1970
GENRE
R&B/Soul
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