

The Chicago pop group The American Breed turned into the funky Rufus after they added lead singer Chaka Khan. Her popularity would outstrip that of the band, but Rufus had a chemistry of its own. One of their early fans was Stevie Wonder, who wrote them a breakthrough hit with 1974's “Tell Me Something Good.” A few hits later Khan tentatively launched a solo career, splitting and rejoining Rufus no fewer than three times; each time they released a less-successful album without her. Finally she returned for 1983's Stompin' at the Savoy, which took Rufus out of the picture in style.