Music legend Chaka Khan hit the stage at State Farm Arena in front of over 10,000 fans still doing what she does best: Displaying her once-in-a-lifetime gifts to the world that has loved her so much for over 40 years.
“I’m so happy to be here,” Khan said to the Atlanta audience in between songs. “I want to salute an incredible man. I heard this was his last tour. Y’all give it up for Mr. Frankie Beverly. I wouldn’t want to miss it for anything.”
“Happy birthday, Chaka!” A fan then snuck in during a rare moment of serenity
Khan, dancing and pacing the entire arena stage from left to right — from the backup singers to the band and back to fans — was keeping up this entire set of timeless records. The singer, who announced she left moved to the state of Georgia and loves the southern hospitality, played her entire set coherent and on key.
As the clock struck midnight — and hundreds of employees, friends and family remained at the arena to speak with the night’s performers — thousands of birthday tributes to Khan flooded the Internet.
At 16, Yvette Stevens joined the Black Panther Party. She was responsible selling the Black Panther newspaper & helping start the free breakfast program for children.
You might know her by another name: CHAKA KHAN!
Happy 71st Birthday to Grammy Award winning singer Chaka Khan! pic.twitter.com/rVtqcyUEPA
— AFRICAN & BLACK HISTORY (@AfricanArchives) March 23, 2024
Back at her birthday eve show in Atlanta, Khan gave fans a brief opportunity to sit down and catch their breaths before bringing them back to their feet for the Black women’s anthem, “I’m Every Woman.”
Even in her 70s, Khan is still one of Black America’s “it” girls, and she’s still active enough to receive her flowers every night of touring.
