Rufus

Funk band Rufus - formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1970 – is best known for the hit single “Tell Me Something Good” and for launching the career of vocalist Chaka Khan. The group was formed by former members of The American Breed, who had scored a hit in 1968 with the song “Bend Me, Shape Me.” Original American Breed members Chuck Colbert (bass) and Lee Graziano (drums) formed the band Smoke in 1969 with later bandmates Kevin Murphy (keyboards) and Paulette McWilliams (vocals) alongside James Stella (vocals) and Vern Pilder (guitar). In 1970, they changed their name to Ask Rufus. After several line-up changes, the group signed to Epic Records in 1971 and recorded an unreleased album before being dropped by the label the following year. With nearly all the founding members leaving the group over the next year and being replaced with new members, singer Paulette McWilliams suggested her friend Chaka Khan as her replacement in Ask Rufus and the band signed a new deal with ABC Dunhill. Shortening their name to Rufus, the group – with only Kevin Murphy remaining from the original line-up - released their self-titled debut album in 1973. Although it contained several local hits, the album was not a national success. In 1974, the band’s career took off with the hit “Tell Me Something Good” (number 3 on the Hot 100) and the album Rags to Rufus (number 4 on the Billboard 200). Later that same year, the album Rufusized climbed to number 7 and the single “Once You Get Started” reached number 10. With vocalist Chaka Khan receiving the lion’s share of the press, she began to receive billing in the band’s name which was reflected in the title of their 1975 album Rufus featuring Chaka Khan. The album was the first of three consecutive full lengths to hit the top of Billboard’s R&B / Soul Albums chart, the others being Ask Rufus (1977) and Street Player (1978). Chaka Khan left Rufus and their next album, Numbers, wasn’t as commercially successful as their previous releases. ABC Dunhill Records folded, and the band’s contract was purchased by MCA Records. Chaka Kahn returned briefly to the fold, and they released the album Masterjam. The album – produced by Quincy Jones - was credited to Rufus & Chaka and reached number 1 on the R&B / Soul Albums chart. Without Chaka for their next album, Party ‘Til You’re Broke (1981), the group’s commercial hold on the charts began to slip and it only reached number 24 on the R&B / Soul Albums chart. Chaka’s return for 1981’s Camouflage didn’t help the band return to past glories and after 1982’s The Very Best of Rufus with Chaka Khan, Rufus left MCA and signed with Warner Bros. The group’s next album was Seal in Red (1983) and featured new member Ivan Neville on vocals. Chaka returned for one more album, the double live / studio release Stompin’ at the Savoy – Live (1983) and then the group split up. Chaka Khan then went to score her massive hit “I Feel for You” in 1984 and has maintained a successful solo career ever since. Members of Rufus have reunited on several occasions since then, but no original founding members have been involved.

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