Rufus How to Use It Again
| Rufus | |
|---|---|
| Besides known as | Smoke Ask Rufus Rufus featuring Chaka Khan Rufus & Chaka Khan Rufus & Chaka Rufus with Chaka Khan |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois, U.s. |
| Genres | R&B, soul, funk, smooth soul, disco |
| Years agile | 1970–1983, 2008–nowadays |
| Labels | Epic, ABC, MCA, Warner Bros. |
| By members | Run into list of members |
Rufus is an American funk band from Chicago, Illinois, best known for launching the career of pb vocalizer Chaka Khan. They had several hits throughout their career, including "Tell Me Something Good", "Sweet Thing", "Do Yous Love What You Feel" and "Ain't Nobody". Rufus and Chaka Khan were one of the most popular and influential funk bands of the 1970s, with four sequent number i R&B albums, 10 Top 40 pop hits and five number one R&B singles, among other accolades.[ commendation needed ]
Biography [edit]
Origins [edit]
In 1968, the American Breed (Gary Loizzo, guitar/vocals, Al Ciner, guitar, Charles "Chuck" Colbert, bass and Lee Graziano, drums) had a top ten hitting with the classic rock single, "Bend Me, Shape Me". After much success, Colbert and Graziano (without Loizzo who pursued a successful production career) created a new grouping, adding after day "Breed" members Kevin Murphy on (keyboards) and Paulette McWilliams (vocals), plus James Stella (vocals) and Vern Pilder (guitar) from the bar band "Circus".[1] They re-emerged in 1969 under the name "Fume".[one] In 1970, after switching their management to Bob Monaco and Bill Traut, the group'south proper noun changed again to "Ask Rufus",[i] the name is taken from the title of the advice column in Mechanics Illustrated. At this bespeak, Ciner came back to supercede Pilder and Willie Weeks was added on bass after Colbert left.[one]
In 1971, the ring signed a contract with Epic Records recording an album that was not released, after which Epic dropped their contract in early on 1972. Willie Weeks was in turn replaced past Dennis Belfield, James Stella by keyboardist/vocalist Ron Stockert and Lee Graziano by Andre Fischer. Paulette McWilliams and Chaka Khan had met and became the best of friends through their spouses Howard Towles and Hassan Khan. Khan attended nigh Ask Rufus gigs when they performed in Chicago. When Paulette decided she was leaving Enquire Rufus, she told them she had the perfect singer to supercede her; she had also asked Khan if she was interested. After the band hesitantly submitted, Paulette remained for a few weeks to teach Khan the material. Paulette as well got Khan a gig with the grouping Lyfe, formed by Chicago'southward Cash McCall. Khan had been performing at the Pumpkin Room on the south side of Chicago, with a local group, Lock and Concatenation, led past drummer Scotty Harris.
Early on career [edit]
Bob Monaco was role of a booking company known equally Ashley Famous with Jim Golden. They booked Ask Rufus, with Paulette McWilliams and likewise the Rotary Connexion with Minnie Riperton. Monaco was also responsible for helping get Ask Rufus their bargain on ABC Dunhill. Monaco returned to Los Angeles, convinced the label to requite him a demo budget and then quickly returned to Chicago where the grouping recorded eleven songs in two days at Marty Feldman'south Paragon Studios. Subsequently taking the demo tapes back to ABC Dunhill in 1973, the group was immediately asked to sign a long-term recording contract.[1]
A few weeks before Monaco saw Rufus perform, the group had already defenseless the attention of musician Ike Turner who flew them out to Los Angeles to record at his studio Bolic Sound in Inglewood, California. Turner wanted Khan to become an Ikette; she declined stating she was "actually happy with Rufus. Simply Ike's attending was certainly a boost."[two]
The group returned to Los Angeles shortly after to record Rufus at Quantum Recording Studios in Torrance, California, released in 1973. While the songs "Whoever's Thrilling You (Is Killing Me)" and "Feel Good" (both featuring 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 take hold of major attention from popular radio.
The group quickly re-entered the aforementioned studio to record their follow-upward album Rags to Rufus. Ciner and Belfield left the grouping shortly thereafter forth with Stockert, who was replaced past Los Angeles-based keyboardist Nate Morgan. Additionally, Tony Maiden and bassist Bobby Watson, also from Los Angeles, were recruited by drummer Andre Fischer. Maiden's, Watson'due south and Morgan's improver to Rufus added a unique audio to the group, bringing a stronger funk and jazz influence to complement Khan's now emerging powerful atomic number 82 vocals.
Success, stardom and tension [edit]
Rags to Rufus was released in 1974 and two of its singles — the Stevie Wonder-penned "Tell Me Something Good" and the Parker-Khan composition, "You lot Got the Love" — became smash hits leading to Rags to Rufus going Platinum.[ane] They besides landed 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 Accolade. In addition, information technology sold over 1 1000000 copies, and was awarded a Gold disc by the RIAA on Baronial nine, 1974.[three] Due to Khan's increasing popularity Rufus and ABC started calling the group Rufus featuring Chaka Khan. With this new billing, the band recorded and rapidly released their side by side album, Rufusized in 1974. Another Platinum success, the grouping entered the top ten once again with the funk singles, "Once You Get Started", (penned by Gavin Christopher), "End on By", "I'1000 a Woman", and "Pack'd My Bags" (later on sampled for Jody Watley's "Lovin' You So") and "Please Pardon Me (You lot Remind Me of a Friend)", penned by their friend Brenda Russell.
Heading into 1975, the grouping headlined their get-go major tour, with Khan attracting attention in concert reviews for her powerhouse vocals and sexy attire—and so much so that Khan was often featured on mag covers such every bit Jet. Likewise due to her off-stage antics that added to her on-stage persona, the media billed Khan as "the wild child". She was oft compared to Tina Turner, with some stone and soul press labeling her a "pint-sized Tina". Attending to Khan began to make waves for some of the group'southward members, every bit they felt her presence overshadowed the ring itself. The group's fourth release, and the tertiary major release with Khan every bit singer, Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan, was released in 1975.[1] The major striking off the album was a limerick by Khan and Tony Maiden titled "Sweetness Affair"[iv] which reached the summit five of the charts[5] and became their fourth record to reach Gold.
Despite the anthology's success equally well as a second successful major tour that followed, tensions grew within the group, especially betwixt Khan and longtime Rufus drummer Andre Fischer. During recording sessions of Ask Rufus, Khan had married Richard Holland (she had divorced her showtime husband Hassan Khan in 1974 prior to the birth of their kid 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. Inquire Rufus was released in 1977 and include the hits "At Midnight (My Honey Will Lift You Up)", "Hollywood" and "Everlasting Love".[ane] Following a bout to promote Ask Rufus, Fischer finally left the group. He was followed past Nate Morgan. They were replaced past Richard "Moon" Calhoun and David "Hawk" Wolinski, respectively.[1] The new line-up recorded the album, Street Player,[1] which featured the Khan-composed song "Stay". Later first putting it off equally 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 cocky-titled debut afterward in 1978. The album sold more than Street Histrion, going Platinum, thanks to the international Ashford & Simpson-composed single, "I'thou Every Woman". Khan continued to promote the album in 1979. In April 1978, Calhoun was replaced past John "JR" Robinson every bit the group's drummer.[1]
Reject and final years [edit]
Drummer JR preparing for a Rufus concert in 1980
Following Calhoun's replacement, some other modify came when ABC Records was absorbed by MCA, bringing the group to MCA. While Khan promoted Chaka, Rufus put out a less favorably received Khan-less album, Numbers. Khan returned to record with the band for the Quincy Jones-produced Masterjam.[1] By now, Rufus and Khan were split in 2, both acts being treated separately. Khan's stardom helped Masterjam go Gold thanks to the funk-laden disco recording, "Do You Dear What You Feel".[1]
Though Khan would later say that she was set up to leave Rufus at the time she released Chaka in 1978, she discovered that she had two more albums left in her ABC/MCA contract with the ring and agreed to fulfill her obligations. Following Masterjam, ane of the contractual albums, and another Khan-less album, Party 'Til Y'all're Broke, which did non sell well, the factions of Rufus and Khan reunited for their last MCA anthology, Camouflage in 1981.[1] Tension was felt during the album sessions. Khan avoided the ring, recording her vocals lone to a click rails.
The anthology 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 Practise for Me. With the release of Cover-up, Khan was free to leave the group, and following her exit in early 1982, the remaining members of Rufus released what became their final studio album, Seal in Scarlet in 1983 which, like their previous albums, went unnoticed.
Rufus ring members agreed to separate after 1 final live anthology. The band asked Khan to contribute to their final concert operation which would be filmed by Warner Bros., and she obliged, reuniting with the group for what was to be later released equally a documentary film titled Stompin' At the Savoy.[ane] Warner Bros. declined to release the film at that time and released just the live album.[one] The filmed concert has since been released to home-video. The album included four Khan-led studio songs, including the Dave Wolinski composition "Ain't Nobody",[1] which got attention when a producer for the film Breakin' heard it while screening songs for the movie's soundtrack. Warner somewhen released the vocal (with the billing Rufus and Chaka Khan) and the vocal became a top thirty Billboard Hot 100 hit, reaching number-one on the R&B chart and hitting number eight on the United kingdom Singles Chart. The success of the rail led to the band receiving its 2d Grammy Award for Best R&B Functioning by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
Following this success, Rufus went their separate ways. Khan released the single "I Feel for Yous", cementing her success.[ane]
Postal service-break up [edit]
In 2001, Rufus (Kevin Tater, Tony Maiden, Bobby Watson, Dave Wolinski, John "JR" Robinson) and Khan reunited for a brief bout, which Khan described in her 2003 autobiography, Chaka! Through the Fire (co-written with Tonya Bolden). Khan and Maiden reunited on the modernized Rufus medley, "Pack'd My Numberless"/ "You Got the Love", on Khan's double Grammy Honour-winning 2007 album, Funk This. 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, 1 of the few Rufus bandmates Khan kept a close friendship with, was the closest to another Rufus reunion. A lineup of Rufus including Bobby Watson and JR started a short tour in 2008. Neither founding fellow member Kevin Murphy, mainstay Tony Maiden nor Dave Wolinski participated in this tour. In September 2011, the Stone & Roll Hall of Fame committee appear that the band and Khan were jointly nominated for induction to the 27th annual course. They had been eligible since 1999 (with the commission counting the ring'due south first album equally Rags to Rufus rather than 1973's Rufus). It was their kickoff year of nomination. Earlier in the twelvemonth, Khan received a solo star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Rufus was again nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in September 2017.
Members [edit]
- Erstwhile members
- Lee Graziano – drums (1970–1972)
- Chuck Colbert Jr. – bass (1970)
- Al Ciner – guitar (1970–1974)
- Paulette McWilliams – vocals (1970–1972)
- James Stella – vocals (1970–1972)
- Kevin Murphy – keyboards (1970–1983)
- Willie Weeks – bass (1970–1972)
- Chaka Khan – vocals (1972–1983)
- Andre Fischer – drums (1972–1977)
- Ron Stockert – keyboards, vocals (1972–1974)
- Dennis Belfield – bass (1972–1974)
- Tony Maiden – guitar, vocals (1974–1983)
- Bobby Watson – bass (1974–1983)
- Nate Morgan – keyboards (1974–1977, died 2013)
- Richard "Moon" Calhoun – drums (1977–1979)
- Dave "Hawk" Wolinski – keyboards, vocals (1977–1983)
- John "JR" Robinson – drums (1979–1983)
- Ivan Neville – vocals (1977–1983) [a]
- ^ Only on 1983 album Seal in Red.
- Timeline
Discography [edit]
Studio albums [edit]
| Yr | Album | Tiptop chart positions | Certifications | Record label | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United states of america Pop [6] | US R&B [vii] | AUS [8] | Tin can [9] | UK [ten] | ||||||||||
| 1973 | Rufus | 175 | 44 | — | — | — | ABC | |||||||
| 1974 | Rags to Rufus | 4 | iv | — | 23 | — |
| |||||||
| Rufusized | 7 | two | — | 51 | 48 |
| ||||||||
| 1975 | Rufus featuring Chaka Khan | 7 | 1 | 86 | 73 | — |
| |||||||
| 1977 | Inquire Rufus | 12 | 1 | — | — | — |
| |||||||
| 1978 | Street Player | xiv | 1 | — | 13 | — |
| |||||||
| 1979 | Numbers | 81 | 15 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Masterjam | 14 | 1 | — | — | — |
| MCA | |||||||
| 1981 | Party 'Til You're Broke | 73 | 24 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Cover-up | 98 | fifteen | — | — | — | |||||||||
| 1983 | Seal in Red | — | 49 | — | — | — | Warner Bros. | |||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||||
Alive albums [edit]
| Year | Album | Peak chart positions | Record label | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [half dozen] | US R&B [7] | UK [x] | |||
| 1983 | Stompin' at the Savoy – Live | 50 | iv | 64 | Warner Bros. |
Compilation albums [edit]
- The Very Best of Rufus featuring Chaka Khan (1982, MCA)
- Chaka Khan and Rufus - Perchance Your Baby (2008, Cugate Ltd.)
Singles [edit]
| Yr | Unmarried | Top nautical chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Us Pop [13] | United states of america R&B [14] | The states Dan [15] | AUS [8] | CAN [ix] | UK [ten] | |||||||||
| 1970 | "Brand New Twenty-four hour period" | — | — | — | — | — | — | N/A | ||||||
| 1971 | "Fire One, Fire 2, Burn down Three" | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
| 1973 | "Slip 'n Slide" | — | — | — | — | — | — | Rufus | ||||||
| "Whoever'south Thrilling You (Is Killing Me)" | — | 40 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| "Feel Good" | — | 45 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 1974 | "Tell Me Something Skillful" | iii | iii | — | 64 | 21 | 54[A] |
| Rags to Rufus | |||||
| "You Got the Love" | 11 | 1 | — | — | 21 | — | ||||||||
| 1975 | "Once You Get Started" | 10 | iv | 6 | — | 14 | 59[A] | Rufusized | ||||||
| "Finish on By" | — | — | — | — | — | 57[A] | ||||||||
| "Please Pardon Me (You lot Remind Me of a Friend)" | 48 | 6 | — | — | 75 | — | ||||||||
| "Sweetness Thing" | 5 | i | — | — | 68 | — |
| Rufus featuring Chaka Khan | ||||||
| 1976 | "Trip the light fantastic Wit Me" | 39 | 5 | — | — | 75 | — | |||||||
| "Jive Talkin'" | — | 35 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 1977 | "At Midnight (My Dearest Will Lift You Up)" | 30 | 1 | 37 | — | 57 | — | Ask Rufus | ||||||
| "Hollywood" | 32 | 3 | — | — | 56 | — | ||||||||
| "Everlasting Dear" | — | 17 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 1978 | "Stay" | 38 | 3 | — | — | 44 | — | Street Histrion | ||||||
| "Blue Dear" | — | 34 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 1979 | "Keep It Together (Declaration of Dear)" | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | Numbers | ||||||
| "Ain't Nobody Like You" | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| "Do You Honey What You Feel" | 30 | 1 | five | — | — | — | Masterjam | |||||||
| 1980 | "Whatever Love" | — | 24 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| "I'chiliad Dancing for Your Dear" | — | 43 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 1981 | "Tonight We Dearest" | — | 18 | 64 | — | — | — | Party 'Til You're Bankrupt | ||||||
| "Hold on to a Friend" | — | 56 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| "Sharing the Honey" | 91 | 8 | — | — | — | — | Cover-up | |||||||
| 1982 | "Better Together" | — | 66 | 56 | — | — | — | |||||||
| 1983 | "Take It to the Top" | — | 47 | — | — | — | — | Seal in Red | ||||||
| "Ain't Nobody" | 22 | i | 6 | — | — | viii |
| Stompin' at the Savoy – Live | ||||||
| 1984 | "One Million Kisses" | — | 37 | 67 | — | — | 86 | |||||||
| 1989 | "Own't Nobody" (7" Remix Edit) | — | — | ane | — | — | six | Life Is a Dance: The Remix Project | ||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||||
Accolades [edit]
Grammy Awards [edit]
Rufus has won two Grammy Awards, from iii Grammy nominations.[17]
| Twelvemonth | Nominated piece of work | Award category | Upshot |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | "Tell Me Something Good" | Best R&B Song Operation past a Duo, Group Or Chorus | Won |
| 1977 | Ask Rufus | Nominated | |
| 1983 | "Ain't Nobody" | Grammy Laurels for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Song | Won |
Covers [edit]
Rufus covered songs, including Quincy Jones' "Body Estrus". "Ain't Nobody" would be covered past many artists, including Kelly Price, Faith Evans, Diana Male monarch and George Michael. 1983'south "You're Really Out of Line" was recorded by Belgian band Awaken in 2001.[18]
Notes [edit]
- ^ a b c Nautical chart position is from the official UK "Breakers List".
References [edit]
- ^ a b c d due east f one thousand h i j g fifty thousand n o p q r Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who'south Who of Soul Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 224. ISBN0-85112-733-nine.
- ^ Khan, Chaka (2003). Chaka! Through The Fire. Bolden, Tonya. Emmaus, PA: Rodale. pp. 63. ISBN1579548261. OCLC 52412052.
- ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 350. ISBN0-214-20512-half-dozen.
- ^ Elias, Jason. "Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan". AllMusic.
- ^ Hogan, Ed. "Sweet Thing". AllMusic.
- ^ a b "Rufus: Billboard 200". billboard.com. Billboard.
- ^ a b "Rufus: Top Soul Albums". billboard.com. Billboard.
- ^ a b David Kent (1993). Australian Charts Volume 1970—1992. Australian Nautical chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, North.S.W. ISBN0-646-11917-six.
- ^ a b "Tin can Charts > Rufus". RPM . Retrieved 2012-02-18 .
- ^ a b c "Rufus". officialcharts.com. Official Charts Company.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Rufus (ABC Records)". riaa.com. RIAA.
- ^ "Rufus (MCA Records)". riaa.com. RIAA.
- ^ "Rufus: Hot 100". billboard.com. Billboard.
- ^ "Rufus: Hot Soul Songs". billboard.com. Billboard.
- ^ "Rufus: Dance Guild Songs". billboard.com. Billboard.
- ^ "Rufus & Chaka Khan: Own't Nobody". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ "Rufus". grammy.com. The Recording Academy. 23 November 2020.
- ^ "Awaken | Party In Lyceum'southward Toilets | CD Baby Music Store". Cdbaby.com. Archived from the original on 2015-08-xv. Retrieved 2015-08-27 .
External links [edit]
- Rufus at AllMusic
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufus_(band)
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