Written by | Ray Cornelius
“Thank you for your prayers and your loving wishes” is what Grammy winning-music legend Chaka Khan said to the nearly sold out crowd Friday night at Atlanta’s Cobb Energy Centre. The reigning “Queen of Funk” performed a powerful 75-minute set of her biggest hits after spending much of last month in a rehab facility.
If you recall, Khan and her sister Yvonne Stevens aka Taka Boom turned themselves into an intensive rehabilitation and aftercare program due to their addiction to prescription drugs. The sisters were reportedly addicted to the same drugs that killed friend and fellow singer-songwriter Prince.
Khan opened the show with “Do You Like What You Feel?”and then segued into her 80’s hip hop classic, “I Feel For You.” After a thunderous applause, she shimmied her way into the Gold certified hit record, “What Cha’ Gonna Do for Me,” which actually turned 35-years-old this past April.
Khan, who has starred on Broadway and featured on numerous film soundtracks, appeared to be in good spirits and felt right at home in the 2,800 seat auditorium. “It’s good to be back in Atlanta. It’s been a minute, huh?”
Other songs performed throughout the night included the Rufus classic “Everlasting Love,” “Love Me Still” and then a medley of “Stay” and “Sweet Thang,” which brought the crowd to its feet. She then stepped away for a costume change and her band and trio of background singers performed a powerful version of her signature ballad, “Through the Fire.”
Khan returned about 20-minutes later wearing a sparkling black and gold ensemble and performed “My Funny Valentine” which appeared on the hugely popular 1995 “Waiting to Exhale” soundtrack. Following that was the funk hit that Stevie Wonder wrote for her titled “Tell Me Something Good.” She closed with her female disco anthem, “I’m Every Woman,” in which she asked all of the ladies in the audience to stand.
At the end of the show, Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall presented Khan with a proclamation from the City of Atlanta declaring August 5th Chaka Khan Day!
A special shoutout to my friend and singer Cleveland P. Jones, who opened the show with Nick Rosen. Also, a BIG THANKS to Craig Garrett and Next Level Events for invite.
Check out more photos below:
Chaka Khan T-Shirts were sold in the lobby of the Cobb Energy Centre
Jazz 91.9 WCLK’s Jamal Ahmad hosted the show
Cleveland P. Jones along with Nick Rosen opened for Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan was the lead singer for the 70’s funk band Rufus
Chaka Khan is also an actress and has appeared on Broadway
Chaka Khan is a 10-time Grammy winning-singer
Chaka Khan is known around the world as the ‘Queen of Funk’
Chaka Khan cooling off with her signature fan
Chaka Khan with Atlanta City Council member Kwanza Hall
Khan on stage with Jamal Ahmad, Craig M.Garrett and Kwanza Hall
Kwanza Hall presenting Khan with a proclamation from the City of Atlanta
Chaka Khan was totally surprised about the proclamation
August 5 is officially “CHAKA KHAN DAY” in the City of Atlanta
Until the next time…
Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com