Rufus ft Chaka Khan ~ Once You Get Started 1974 Funky Soul Purrfection Version

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Rufus ft Chaka Khan released their third LP in October, 1974 entitled "Rufusized" that went gold, then it went platinum. Chaka became the Queen of Funk while she was with Rufus and her fiery vocals became a trademark over the funky stylings of the band.

"Once You Get Started" was written by Gavin Christopher with member Tony Maiden. He met Chaka when he joined Lyfe and often worked with Rufus jamming with the band on occasion. Gavin would go on to have his own hit with "One Step Closer To You" in 1986 and got a #22 Hot100 Hit out of it.

Did you know that "Bend Me, Shape Me" by American Breed was the starting point for Rufus? 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 named Smoke with vocalists Paulette McWilliams and James Stella. Stella was soon replaced by lead vocalist/songwriter/keyboardist Ron Stockert, and Colbert by bassist Dennis Belfield. The group adopted the name Ask Rufus, which was later shortened to Rufus.

In 1972 Andre Fischer the ex-drummer from American Breed replaced Graziano, and Chaka Khan (born Yvette Marie Stevens) replaced McWilliams. 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.

"Once You Get Started" was issued as a single on February 15, 1975 at #79, the highest new entry that week. It would go on to peak at #10 on the Hot100 and #4 on the R&B survey.
Category
Funky