Her Big Sister Is a BIG Time 70’s/80’s Soul Icon! Guess Who!

Posted On : May 22, 2015

chaka and tammy

It’s “Ms. Through The Fire,” Chaka Khan! I know you can see their resemblance now, right? Speaking of Chaka, I just so happened to come across an older interview she did Observer.com and this is even more reason why I love her- because she is not afraid to tell it like it is about the state of today’s music industry. Here’s what Chaka said:

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On radio: “I don’t listen to the radio because I can’t . ‘Cause it sucks . They play the same crap over and over again.”

On video: “I don’t look at any of the videos because it’s just disgusting. It’s just crap.”

Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan

On the dismal state of the music industry in general: “Now, everybody can be an artist. Talent has nothing to do with it anymore. It’s about a look and too much junk. It’s like a bleeding circus, you know? Sometimes I’m so embarrassed to be in this business, I don’t know what to do.”

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You tell ’em Chaka! I don’t know some of the stuff their packaging up and labeling as music nowadays is, but it ain’t music…at least not good music…but I digress.

tammy at desk

 

Okay now back to Chaka’s baby sis’…her name is Tammy McCrary and she has also been Chaka’s manager since 1995. Tammy wears many other hats as well and according to her bio on the Chaka Foundation website:

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Tammy McCrary is a true visionary. She began her career in the entertainment business as co-founder of Creative Image, an image consulting firm for entertainers. Focusing on music, she developed and managed the group, Pretty In Pink (which included Chaka’s daughter, singer Indira Milini Khan), securing them a deal with Motown Records and executive producing their debut album, Wake Up.

Out of their passionate, shared vision to better the lives of women and children at risk, Chaka and Tammy co-founded the Chaka Khan Foundation in 1999. As the managing partner of Chaka Khan Enterprises, Tammy is creatively branding Chaka Khan.

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 21:  Recording artist Chaka Khan (R) and sister Tammy McCrary attend Khan's 60th birthday party at Yamashiro Restaurant on March 21, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 21: Recording artist Chaka Khan (R) and sister Tammy McCrary attend Khan’s 60th birthday party at Yamashiro Restaurant on March 21, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)

The first of Chaka Khan branded products outside of the music sector is a line of gourmet chocolates, Chakalates, now sold in Neiman Marcus stores nationwide and a book of her memoirs,Through The Fire published by Rodale Books. In 2004, Tammy and Chaka launched Earth Song Records and released its debut CD Classikhan in partnership with AGU/Sanctuary/BMG to rave reviews.

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Tammy and Chaka have also both been working very hard to bring awareness to autism because Tammy’s son has autism. So this is something both women are extremely passionate about.

Chaka Khan has another sister, who many of you may know because she is a singer who made a name for herself in the 70’s and 80’s as well. Turn the page to see who she is…

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About I Love Old School Music

We salute the incredible people and beautiful memories of that "old school". We’re not saying that every artist and every facet of the soul era was perfect, but the artists’ contributions to soul music and the old school memories of that particular time are PRICELESS.