WOMEN WHO INSPIRE
I Think I Love You
CHAKA KHAN ' S LEGACY CONTINUES WITH MUSIC AND PHILANTHROPY
By Vicki Bennington
Originally planning on a career in anthropology , the fabulous “ Queen of Rock and Funk ” Chaka Khan ’ s life took a different turn . “ I didn ’ t intend to be a singer ; it just happened ,” Chaka said .
Chaka grew up in Chicago with middle class beginnings , both parents working at the University of Chicago .
“ I was exposed to a lot of international influence through the college , and my horizons were widened ,” she said . “ I felt that I could do anything . I didn ’ t feel stifled at all . And Midwesterners are achievers – I think that ’ s a beautiful trait .”
Growing up , she spent much of her time reading , but both of her parents were very musical , too . They sang and introduced her to music greats like Ella Fitzgerald , Miles Davis , and Dizzy Gillespie .
“ My dad was what they called a beatnik ,” she said . “ He was cool and liberal , and I had total artistic freedom .”
Chaka is not like a lot of singers who got their start in the church choir , instead , in sixth grade she and her sister and some friends formed The Crystalettes , singing top-20 hits by artists like Aretha Franklin , Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson .
“ My mom was supportive and made all of our outfits ,” Chaka said . “ We participated in competitions , and either we or another group - The Emotions – would always win .”
At 16 , Chaka became involved with the Arthur Arts Theater where they put on African shows , and she began to explore her African roots . A shaman from West Africa held a naming ceremony where she was given the name Chaka . She later married Hassan Khan , and the name Chaka Khan was born – and stayed .
“ It was definitely a better stage name than my given name , Yvette Marie Stevens ,” she said while laughing .
“ For a long time , I still thought I would go back to school with a scholarship at the Art Institute of Chicago ,” Chaka said . “ I wanted to be an anthropologist or a painter .”
But she had the opportunity to fly to Los Angeles to meet Ike Turner and try out to be an Ikette . That didn ’ t work out , but when she came back home , she started going to Chicago clubs and met Paulette McWilliams , a singer for the group , Rufus .
“ I would listen and watch , and I knew then that ’ s what I wanted to do ,” she said .
Paulette left the group , and before long , Chaka was the band ' s front woman and was signed to a record contract . That move catapulted her into stardom with songs like “ Whoever ’ s Thrilling You ( Is Killing Me )” and “ Tell Me Something Good ,” and Rufus went on tour with Stevie Wonder . Her career path was set . She ’ s now been in the business for more than 40 years . “ The main reason I got married then was so I could sign the record contract because I was underage ,” she said . “ I told my mom I was pregnant ( but I wasn ’ t at that time ) so she would let me get married .”
The marriage didn ’ t last long , but she did have a daughter , Indira , who is now a singer in her own right .
Photo by Timothy Fielding . Opposite page : Photos courtesy of Chaka Khan
104 GAZELLE STL