Chaka Khan might be convinced “Ain’t Nobody Loves Me Better” than New Yorkers.
Perhaps for that reason the Chicago-native held the third affair marking her 60th birthday here by hosting a dinner-party at the swank midtown EVR Restaurant.
The “I’m Every Woman” siren of the recording industry invited special guests to the last of a series of celebrations of her Mar. 23 birth date.
Born Yvette Marie Stevens, the popular recording artist radiated charm and elegance, arriving fashionably late wearing a purple ensemble which prominently featured knee-high, suede boots and an outfit that complimented her recently stream-lined figure.
Khan recently shed 75 pounds.
And for her celebration, the internationally acclaimed rhythm & blues icon, 10-time Grammy Award winner and singer flew south, west and north to mark the occasion.
According to her sister and personal manager Tammy McCrary, it is part of her “100 Days of Chaka,” — signifying the 100 days between her birthday and the 40th anniversary of her first album in 1973 with the band Rufus.
Held in Miami, Florida, Los Angeles, California and New York City, they each attracted a select-group of media, associates and friends for a private dinner.
TV personality and attorney Star Jones, Oprah Winfrey’s best pal and television host Gail King, CNN news reporter, Soledad O’Brien, r&b singer Freddie Jackson, activist and MSNBC personality Al Sharpton, BET-TV Chairman & CEO Debra Lee, actress Taraji P. Henson, director Lee Daniels, songwriter Gordon Chambers were among the celebrity guests to attend the mid-town Manhattan gala last Tuesday.
They all surrounded the funk and pop diva as a band of musicians sang and played an untraditional version of the birthday song.
A two-tiered cake decorated by a microphone and photos of the temporarily upstaged the celebrant as she beamed what seemed a grateful smile to all the guests.
Monday in California, Anita Baker, Natalie Cole, Quincy Jones, Stevie wonder, Roland Martin, Shaun Robinson, Alfre Woodard, Jonathan Butler, Tracee Ellis Ross, Tatyana Ali, Yolanda Adams, Fantasia and Anthony Hamilton serenaded the veteran super-singer who has influenced generations of artists.
In addition to reveling six decades, in Fort Lauderdale, she performed at the Florida AIDS Walk where a crowd chorused the “Happy birthday” song.
Khan is acclaimed for enjoying the rare ability of singing in eight music genres. Lauded for delivering her unique sounds to r&b, jazz, pop, rock, gospel, country, classical and dance music, she is also a songwriter, producer, author, actor, philanthropist, entrepreneur and activist. Khan has released 22 albums and racked up ten number one charted songs, seven RIAA certified gold singles and 10 certified gold and platinum albums. Her recorded music has produced over 2,000 catalogue song placements. Last year, she was honored for her legendary career with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Khan’s autobiography, “Through the Fire” is currently being adapted into a screenplay. In 1999, she established the Chaka Khan Foundation which includes a variety of programs and initiatives that assist women and children at risk.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Khan’s career in music and entertainment.
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