Pulled as a single from their second album, 1974's ' Rags to Rufus', ' Tell Me Something Good' was a Top Five smash that turned Rufus and Khan into stars Chaka co-wrote with Ray Parker Jr. Although Khan's dynamic stage presence helped this version of the band take off, Stockert was still the guiding force when they signed with ABC in 1973, and he lent a more pop/rock flavor to the group's self-titled debut, released later that year.ДЄlthough the debut album ' Rufus' sold poorly, Rufus gained a fan in Stevie Wonder thanks to their cover of his 'Maybe Your Baby.' Wonder gave them a new composition, the slowly grinding 'Tell Me Something Good,' that he'd written specifically with Khan's vocal style in mind. In 1972, drummer Andre Fischer - a former member of American Breed - replaced Graziano, and a young female vocalist named Chaka Khan (born Yvette Marie Stevens) replaced McWilliams. Stella was quickly replaced by lead vocalist/songwriter/keyboardist Ron Stockert, and Colbert by bassist Dennis Belfield the group changed its name to Ask Rufus, which was later shortened to Rufus. Rufus grew out of the Chicago band The American Breed, which had a hit in 1968 with the oldies-radio staple 'Bend Me, Shape Me.' Guitarist Al Ciner, bassist Chuck Colbert, drummer Lee Graziano, and keyboardist Kevin Murphy had all played in the band at one time or another before forming a new group, originally called Smoke, with vocalists Paulette McWilliams and James Stella. Powered by Khan - who was eventually billed in addition to the group - and an unerring sense of groove, Rufus scored an impressive string of hit singles on both the pop and R&B charts, which lasted through the '70s and up to Khan's official departure in 1983. One of the most commercially successful funk groups of the '70s, the multi-racial Rufus are today best remembered for launching the careers of Tony Maiden, Bobby Watson, Andre Fischer, Dennis Belfield and soul diva Chaka Khan, whose lead vocals were easily the band's fiery focal point. They had several hits throughout their career, including ' Tell Me Something Good' (penned by Stevie Wonder), ' Sweet Thing', and ' Ain't Nobody'.

Rufus was a 1970s funk band, best known for launching the career of their lead singer Chaka Khan.

Rufus band