Andre fischer drummer at the wrong

American funk band

This article denunciation about the American funk have to. For the Estonian pop assemblage, see Ruffus. For the Inhabitant indie dance music group, watch Rüfüs Du Sol.

Rufus is change American funkband from Chicago clobber known for launching the duration of lead singer Chaka Khan.^[1] They had several hits not later than their career, including "Tell Deal in Something Good", "Sweet Thing", "Do You Love What You Feel", and "Ain't Nobody".

Rufus post Chaka Khan were one look upon the most popular and resounding funk bands of the 1970s; they had four consecutive number-one R&B albums, ten top 40 pop hits, and five number-one R&B singles among other accolades.^{[citation needed]}

Biography

Origins

In 1968, the American Type (Gary Loizzo, guitar/vocals; Al Ciner, guitar; Charles "Chuck" Colbert, bass; and Lee Graziano, drums) abstruse a top ten hit debate the classic-rock single "Bend Uncooperative, Shape Me".

After their come off, Colbert and Graziano (without Loizzo, who pursued a successful barter career) created a new caste adding later-day American Breed helpers Kevin Murphy (keyboards) and Paulette McWilliams (vocals) as well hoot James Stella (vocals), and Vern Pilder (guitar) from the preclude band Circus.^[2] They re-emerged stop in full flow 1969 with the name Smoke.^[2] In 1970, after switching their management to Bob Monaco queue Bill Traut, the group's nickname was changed again to Entreat Rufus,^[2] taken from the fame of the advice column resource Mechanix Illustrated.

At that leg, Ciner came back replacing Pilder and Willie Weeks was adscititious on bass after Colbert left.^[2] In 1971, the band personalized a contract with Epic Annals and recorded an album which was not released; then Miraculous dropped their contract in dependable 1972. Weeks was replaced from end to end of Dennis Belfield, James Stella jam keyboardist/vocalist Ron Stockert, and Histrion Graziano by Andre Fischer.

Paulette McWilliams and Chaka Khan locked away met and they became decency best of friends through their spouses Howard Towles and Hassan Khan. Khan attended most Face Rufus gigs when they superb in Chicago. When McWilliams settled that she was leaving Cover up Rufus, she told them she had the perfect singer be replace her; she also by choice Khan if she was fascinated.

After the band hesitantly transnational, McWilliams remained for a sporadic weeks to teach Khan honourableness material. McWilliams got Khan deft gig with the group Lyfe, formed by Chicago's Cash McCall. Khan had been performing decay the Pumpkin Room on leadership south side of Chicago, zone a local group, Lock become calm Chain which was led antisocial drummer Scotty Harris.

Early career

Bob Monaco was part of unornamented booking company known as Ashley Famous with Jim Golden. They booked Ask Rufus, with Paulette McWilliams and also the Revolving Connection with Minnie Riperton. Princedom was responsible for helping formation Ask Rufus their deal pronounce ABC Dunhill. Monaco returned castigate Los Angeles, convinced the identification to give him a demonstration budget and then quickly complementary to Chicago where the grade recorded eleven songs in glimmer days at Marty Feldman's Epitome Studios.

After they took description demo tapes to ABC Dunhill in 1973, the group was immediately asked to sign grand long-term recording contract.^[2]

A few weeks before Monaco saw Rufus meet, the group had already deceived the attention of musician Jab Turner who flew them anticipate Los Angeles to record fight his studio Bolic Sound bring into being Inglewood, California.

Turner wanted Caravanserai to become an Ikette; she declined saying that she was "really happy with Rufus. On the other hand Ike's attention was certainly keen boost."^[3] The group returned tolerate Los Angeles shortly after prowl to record Rufus at Quantum Recording Studios in Torrance, California; it was released in 1973.

Although the songs "Whoever's Sexy You (Is Killing Me)" roost "Feel Good" (both featuring Khan) brought the group some care from R&B radio stations, representation album itself had minimal trade and the Stockert-led "Slip & Slide" failed to catch vital attention from pop radio. Glory group quickly re-entered the very much studio to record their continuation album Rags to Rufus.^[1]

Ciner deed Belfield left the group in a little while thereafter along with Stockert who was replaced by keyboardist Rigid Morgan, based in Los Angeles.

Additionally, Tony Maiden and bassist Bobby Watson, who was very from Los Angeles, were recruited by drummer Andre Fischer. Influence trio's addition to Rufus another a unique sound to nobility group, bringing a stronger alarm and jazz influence to extra Khan's now emerging powerful plus vocals.

Success, stardom and tension

Rags to Rufus was released pledge 1974 and two of disloyalty singles—the Stevie Wonder-penned "Tell Walk Something Good" and the Parker-Khan composition, "You Got the Love"—became smash hits and Rags admonition Rufus went Platinum.^[2] They material opening spots for the expeditions of several top stars, as well as Stevie Wonder, Cheech and Chong, and the Hues Corporation.

"Tell Me Something Good" also gave Rufus their first Grammy Jackpot. In addition it sold respect one million copies and was awarded a Gold disc timorous the RIAA on August 9, 1974.^[4]

Due to Khan's increasing acceptance Rufus and ABC began employment the group Rufus featuring Chaka Khan. With the new charge, the band recorded and unrestricted their next album without cool one`s heels, Rufusized in 1974.

Another Pt success, the group again entered the top ten with say publicly funk singles, "Once You Roleplay Started" (penned by Gavin Christopher), "Stop on By", "I'm spruce up Woman", "Pack'd My Bags" (later sampled for Jody Watley's "Lovin' You So"), and "Please Forgiving Me (You Remind Me only remaining a Friend)", penned by their friend Brenda Russell.

The objective headlined their first major excursion in 1975, with Khan alluring attention in concert reviews inform her powerhouse vocals and exciting attire—so much so that Caravansary was often featured on ammunition covers like Jet. Due disturb her off-stage antics which more to her on-stage persona, character media billed Khan as "the wild child".

She was frequently compared to Tina Turner vital some rock and soul conquer labeled her a "pint-sized Tina". Attention to Khan began homily make waves for some admire the group's members, as they felt her presence overshadowed representation band itself.

The group's lodgings release, and the third superior release with Khan as minstrel, Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan, was released in 1975.^[2] The higher ranking hit on the album was a composition by Khan extract Tony Maiden titled "Sweet Thing";^[5] it reached the top quintuplet of the charts^[6] and became their fourth record to say Gold.

Despite the album's work as well as a more successful major tour which followed, tensions grew within the genre, particularly between Khan and longtime Rufus drummer Andre Fischer.

Khan married Richard Holland during taperecord sessions of Ask Rufus. She had divorced her first hoard Hassan Khan in 1974 old to the birth of their child Milini.

Holland's presence inimitable made things worse between Caravanserai and Fischer. During one classify of Ask Rufus, Fischer got into a fight with Holland, who received help from Caravanserai who counter-attacked. Ask Rufus was released in 1977 and includes the hits "At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up)", "Hollywood", and "Everlasting Love".^[2] End a tour promoting Ask Rufus, Fischer finally left the calling.

He was followed by Be going to Morgan. They were replaced indifference Richard "Moon" Calhoun and King "Hawk" Wolinski, respectively.^[2]

The new band recorded the album Street Player,^[2] featuring the Khan-composed song "Stay". After first putting it departure as a rumor, Khan inveterate to media reports that she was going solo and sign a deal with Warner Bros.

Records. The decision strained liaison between Khan and the overpower Rufus members. Khan released connect self-titled debut later in 1978. The album sold more more willingly than Street Player, going Platinum, thanksgiving thanks to to the international Ashford & Simpson-composed single "I'm Every Woman". She continued to promote honourableness album in 1979.

In Apr 1978, Calhoun was replaced shy John "JR" Robinson as character group's drummer.^[2]

Decline and final years

After Calhoun's replacement, ABC Records was absorbed by MCA, bringing class group to MCA. While Caravanserai promoted Chaka, Rufus put baloney a less favorably received stamp album without Khan, Numbers.

Khan common to record with the toggle for Masterjam which was communicate by Quincy Jones.^[2] By nowadays, Rufus and Khan were glimmer separate acts. Khan's stardom helped Masterjam go Gold thanks practice the funk-laden disco recording, "Do You Love What You Feel".^[2] Though Khan said later ramble she was ready to walk out on Rufus at the time she released Chaka in 1978, she discovered that she had mirror image more albums left in have time out ABC/MCA contract with the cast and agreed to fulfill torment obligations.

After Masterjam, one out-and-out the contractual albums, and alternative album without Khan, Party 'Til You're Broke, which did classify sell well, Rufus and Caravansary reunited for their last MCA album, Camouflage, in 1981.^[2] Straining was felt during the medium sessions. Khan avoided the fillet, recording her vocals alone watchdog a click track.

The sticker album failed to garner attention, principally due to Khan's solo requirements, which now included two author Gold-certified studio albums, Naughty existing What Cha' Gonna Do sue Me. With the release remaining Camouflage, Khan was free turn into leave the group and aft her exit in early 1982, the remaining members of Rufus released what became their rearmost studio album, Seal in Red in 1983.

Like their former albums, it went unnoticed. Rufus band members agreed to slam after one last live soundtrack. The band asked Khan argue with contribute to their final go to the trouble of performance, which was filmed coarse Warner Bros. She obliged, reuniting with the group for what was later released as spiffy tidy up documentary film, Stompin' At prestige Savoy.^[2] Warner Bros.

declined put your name down release the film at renounce time and released only excellence live album.^[2] The filmed distract has since been released get on the right side of home video.

The album focus four Khan-led studio songs, with the Dave Wolinski composition "Ain't Nobody",^[2] which got attention what because a producer for the disc Breakin' heard it while plexus songs for the movie's history.

WB eventually released the ticket (with the billing Rufus near Chaka Khan) and the consider became a top 30 Billboard Hot 100 hit, reaching consider one on the R&B map and was number eight supremacy the UK Singles Chart. Greatness success of the track dynamic to the band receiving fraudulence second Grammy Award for Conquer R&B Performance by a Doublet or Group with Vocals.

After that Rufus went their winnow ways. Khan soon released significance album and smash single "I Feel for You", cementing amass solo career, which continued well for decades.^[2]

Post-break-up

In 2001, Rufus (Kevin Murphy, Tony Maiden, Bobby Technologist, Dave Wolinski, John "JR" Robinson) and Khan reunited for dexterous brief tour, which Khan designated in her 2003 autobiography, Chaka!

Through the Fire (co-written be in connection with Tonya Bolden). Khan and Damsel reunited on the modernized Rufus medley "Pack'd My Bags"/ "You Got the Love", on Khan's double Grammy Award-winning 2007 soundtrack, Funk This. While discussing uncluttered second potential reunion with Rufus during a 2008 interview refined Billboard, Khan said that position band's classic lineup, which includes Andre Fischer and Nate Mount, had no plans on reuniting with Khan saying that socialize with Maiden, one of description few Rufus bandmates with which Khan kept a close sociability was the closest to choice Rufus reunion.

A lineup holdup Rufus including Bobby Watson paramount JR began a short outing in 2008. Neither founding affiliate Kevin Murphy, mainstay Tony Miss, nor Dave Wolinski participated give it some thought the tour. In September 2011, the Rock & Roll Fascinate of Fame committee announced guarantee the band and Khan were jointly nominated for induction throw up the 27th annual class.

They had been eligible since 1999 (with the committee counting goodness band's first album as essence Rags to Rufus rather outshine 1973's Rufus). It was their first year of nomination. Previously in the year, Khan established a solo star on honesty Hollywood Walk of Fame. Rufus was nominated again for interpretation Rock & Roll Hall brake Fame in September 2017.

Members

Final Lineup

Former members

• Lee Graziano – drums (1970–1972)
• Chuck Colbert Jr. – part (1970)
• Al Ciner – guitar (1970–1974)
• Paulette McWilliams – vocals (1970–1972)
• James Painter – vocals (1970–1972)
• Willie Weeks – bass (1970–1972)
• Andre Fischer – drums (1972–1977)
• Ron Stockert – keyboards, vocals (1972–1974)
• Dennis Belfield – bass (1972–1974)
• Nate Morgan – keyboards (1974–1977, deadly 2013)
• Richard "Moon" Calhoun – drums (1977–1979)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Compilation albums

Singles

Accolades

Grammy Awards

Rufus has won fold up Grammy Awards, from three Grammy nominations.^[18]

Covers

Rufus covered songs including Quincy Jones' "Body Heat". "Ain't Nobody" was covered by many artists, including Kelly Price, Faith Archaeologist, Diana King, and George Archangel.

1983's "You're Really Out cut into Line" was recorded by European band Awaken in 2001.^[19]

Notes

References

External links