Ten-time Grammy Award winner Chaka Khan will serve as the 2019 Rose Parade Grand Marshal.
The singer, songwriter and philanthropist will make history as the first Grand Marshal to double as a featured performer in the parade’s 130-year history, according to organizers.
Khan will perform in the Rose Parade Presented by Honda, Opening Spectacular 8 a.m. New Year’s Day. It’s an event that broadcasts on ABC and NBC affiliates across the country. In Los Angeles, the Rose Parade will air on KTLA-TV.
This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Chaka Khan Foundation.
“I am happy that music and youth are the focus of this year’s parade, which totally aligns with the mission of my foundation,” according to Khan. “This year’s theme `The Melody of Life’ fits perfectly into my philosophy that ‘Music is the melody of life.”’
The Chaka Khan Foundation was co-founded in 1999 by Khan and her sister, Tammy McCrary. They established the foundation to assist at risk women and children. In 2019, they said they plan to launch a series of new initiatives titled “Serve the Underserved” focused on art programs for youth as well as programs for empowering families challenged with autism.
Khan, who has crossed multiple genres of music — including R&B, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music and classical — has released 22 albums with ten No. 1 Billboard charted songs. She’s best known for the 1984 chart-topping, Grammy award-winning megahit, “I Feel for You,” written and first performed by Prince.