Ain't nobody does it better

Gulp.

That powerhouse of talent, the incredible Miss Chaka Khan is 70 years old today!

Facts:

• She was born Yvette Marie Stevens, but claims she was given her name "Chaka" when she was 13 by a West African mystic of her bohemian parents' acquaintance.
• Not to be left out, her sister re-christened herself Taka Boom.
• Her father's second wife joined the notorious Black Panthers.
• In a career spanning seven decades, Miss Khan (either solo or with her band Rufus) has sold an estimated 70 million records worldwide.
• She got her big break thanks to Tina Turner, who wanted Chaka to join her "Ikettes"; she turned down the offer, but the attention got her and Rufus noticed.
• The Robert Palmer smash Addicted to Love was originally a duet with Miss Khan, but the producers removed her vocals.

How very dare they - when her vocals are as brilliant as this..?!

Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody

Chaka Khan - I'm Every Woman

Chaka Khan - I Feel For You

Chaka Khan - Like Sugar

Etta, Chaka and Gladys - Ain't Nobody's Business

Many happy returns, Chaka Khan!

There is nothing for you to do; but keep me making love to you

Sharing a birthday as she would have with an eclectic bunch including Jools Holland [who is 60 years old!], the notorious Roman Empress Messalina, Raymond Baxter, Somerset Maugham, Alicia Keys, Virginia Woolf, Stig Anderson, Peter Tatchell, John Cooper Clarke, Diana Hyland, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Dean Jones and Dame Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies, the fantabulosa Etta James would have celebrated her 80th today...

A perfect excuse to inject some class into these proceedings, methinks.

Etta James, Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody Business

Etta James - At Last

- and, of course, my favourite:

Etta James - I Just Want To Make Love To You

Etta James (born Jamesetta Hawkins, 25th January 1938 – 20th January 2012)

Ms James also shares her birthday with another cultural icon - Scotland's "other Patron Saint", Mr Robbie Burns. Never let it be said I don't give you anything, dear reader - here! Have some haggis...



Happy Burns Night!

I don't wanna watch you leave me, baby

RIP Miss Etta James, soul and jazz legend, and rightful claimant to the title "diva".

Etta James - At Last

Etta James - I'd Rather Go Blind

Etta James - Only time will tell

Very sad news indeed. Nobody had a voice like Etta's...

Etta James obituary in The Guardian

"If I should take a notion to jump into the ocean, ain't nobody's business if I do"

Here's to what is predicted to be a glorious sunny weekend; and I am going to see Marc Almond in Ten Plagues on Sunday and a BFI members' screening of Cabaret on Monday. It's supposed to climb to 21C (almost 70F) tomorrow, and I look forward to a day in the sunshine!

Here's a sumptuous combination of powerful soul voices to kick off the weekend in style - Miss Gladys Knight, Miss Chaka Khan and Miss Etta James in a rare appearance on stage together... Happy Friday!

Etta, Chaka and Gladys - Ain't Nobody Business