Chaka Khan: We Still Feel for Her

September 24, 2026

Few artists have influenced four generations of music fans while remaining as vibrant and relevant as Chaka Khan. From her start in the funk grooves of the 1970s, those chart-topping solo hits of the 1980s, or her enduring influence on today’s artists, Khan is one of the true icons of modern music. 

When the aptly titled “Queen of Funk” takes to the stage during the next sailing of The 80s Cruise, expect a night of classics that combine soul, funk, R&B, jazz, pop, and dance music into a sound that is unmistakably her own. 

Her music is probably already swimming around in your head. Tunes such as “I’m Every Woman” from 1979 through hits in the ’80s including “Through the Fire,” “I Feel for You,” and “Higher Love,” a collaboration with the great Steve Winwood. To date, she has won 11 Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Perhaps the crowning achievement: Khan in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023.  

“Getting here was filled with lots of blood, sweat, and tears,” she told the audience during the induction ceremony. “Just try to spread the love, because we need it.” 

Khan was born Yvette Marie Stevens – as you should remember if you participated in Big 80s Trivia this year! – in Chicago in 1953. In that city’s vibrant music scene, Khan paired with funk band Rufus in the early 1970s to create the breakthrough hit “Tell Me Something Good.”  

Throughout the decade, Rufus delivered classics such as “Sweet Thing,” “Once You Get Started,” and “Ain’t Nobody,” helping define the sound of funk and R&B. Expect a taste of her ’70s catalog on stage during our cruise. 

Khan’s solo career elevated her to another level. Her 1984 smash “I Feel for You” became one of the defining songs of the decade. Originally written and recorded by Prince, the song transformed into a groundbreaking pop-funk masterpiece featuring rapper Melle Mel, harmonica legend Stevie Wonder, and that unforgettable spoken introduction: “Chaka Khan … Chaka Khan!” (You’re hearing Mel’s intro right now in your head as you read this, aren’t you?) 

The 1980s were arguably Khan’s most visible decade. Alongside “I Feel for You,” she scored major hits with “This Is My Night,” “What Cha’ Gonna Do for Me,” and her breathtaking interpretation of “Through the Fire,” produced by the great David Foster and covered by Peabo Bryson.  

Through the fire, to the limit, to the wall 
For a chance to be with you 
I’d gladly risk it all. 

If your kids recognized the tune, it’s likely because he was prominently sampled by Kanye West on “Through the Wire” on his debut album.

Indeed, what makes Chaka Khan so important to pop culture extends beyond her hit records. She has collaborated with an astonishing range of artists, including Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, David Bowie, and countless others. Her influence can be heard in generations of singers who followed, from Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey to Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, and Beyoncé.

For guests aboard The 80s Cruise, one of the biggest thrills will be experiencing Chaka Khan live. Though 73 years old, Khan remains a dynamic stage presence. Her concerts are equal parts celebration, masterclass, and revival meeting.

“My voice has less vibrato now,” Khan told an interviewer in 2025. “When I listen to my songs with Rufus, to me, I sound like a bumblebee. But now I think it’s seasoned a lot and my voice has a lot more colors than it did back then.” 

In May, I caught Khan live in Jacksonville, Florida, performing that night with Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, and Stephanie Mills. On a rainy Sunday evening, the venue stayed packed until close to midnight with fans eager to take in the rare chance to see a “queen” perform. 

She commands the stage with confidence, engages effortlessly with audiences, and still possesses a voice capable of delivering jaw-dropping moments. Expect soaring vocals, deep funk grooves, spontaneous improvisation, and plenty of opportunities to sing along to songs that have become part of the soundtrack of our lives. 

Simply put, Chaka Khan isn’t just an artist from the ’80s. She’s one of the most influential vocalists in modern music history. And when she steps onto the stage, you’re not just watching a performer, you’re witnessing a living legend. 

(Steve Spears is the co-host and creator of the Stuck in the ‘80s podcast. His first book – “Stuck in the ‘80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Culture Icons Who Defined a Decade” – is an Amazon top seller. Steve and Brad Williams host Big 80s Trivia each year on The 80s Cruise.)