Part 14: Chaka Khan Describes the Events that Led to Whitney Houston's Death
Part 12: Chaka Khan Hated Kanye Sampling Through The Fire: He F***ed Up My Song
Part 1: Chaka Khan on Growing Up in the South Side of Chicago
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Chaka Khan detailed some of her most notable collaborations with legendary artists such as Robert Palmer, Steve Winwood, and Peter Cetera from the band Chicago. Chaka Khan light-heartedly said that she and Steve Winwood fell in love listening to "The Night I Fell in Love" by Luther Vandross.
Later that week, Winwood invited her to the studio to work on "Addicted to Love." Chaka Khan explained that since they were on similar record labels, they didn't think the label would reject the duet. However, she was shocked to find out the label didn't approve of the duet and called the moment the first time she experienced true racism. While the number one hit ended up being just a solo record for Winwood, Chaka Khan was still credited for the vocal arrangements.
Chaka Khan praised Whitney Houston's remake of "I'm Every Woman" before revealing that she was the first person that the late singer recorded with. Whitney's mother, Cissy Houston, was Chaka Khan's background singer throughout the 1980s and introduced Chaka Khan to her daughter. Chaka Khan also stated that at one point Whitney, Cissy, and Luther Vandross sang background for her.
Chaka Khan also commented on the circumstances surrounding Whitney Houston's death. Chaka Khan recalled Whitney being in Los Angeles for Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy party. She said prior to being in L.A., Whitney was in Canada shooting a movie and was sober and doing well. According to Chaka Khan, Whitney being in L.A. a full week before the party and having no one to supervise or insulate her from bad influences is what led to the singer's death.
