Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Rarely has a tour more accurately lived up to its title than when the Black Promoters Collective teamed with the United Center to bring together Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Stephanie Mills and their individually excellent live bands for “The Queens! 4 Legends. 1 Stage.” 

Chicago’s own leader of Rufus turned solo superstar Khan closed out the elegant evening, wowing with her gold standard treatment of Prince’s “I Feel For You,” the group’s “Do You Love What You Feel” and “Whatcha’ Gonna Do For Me.”

Ballads such as “Sweet Thing” and “Through The Fire” came across as soulful as ever, while the iconic “Tell Me Something Good,” “I’m Every Woman” and “Ain’t Nobody” illustrated exactly why she’s been the reigning “Queen Of Funk” for over half a century.

The same could be said when it came to the longevity and universal love of Patti LaBelle, who brought a “New Attitude” to the likes of “Love, Need And Want You,” “The Right Kinda Lover” and “On My Own,” abandoning her pumps and spritzing perfume along the way.

This undisputed “Godmother Of Soul” continued to slay “Somebody Loves You Baby (You Know Who It Is),” “When You Talk About Love,” “If Only You Knew” and “You Are My Friend” as a touching slide show of departed artists flashed upon the screen, culminating in the classic “Lady Marmalade,” joined by a handful of enthusiastic male audience members.

Star of stage and screen Stephanie Mills, who first rose to fame as star of Broadway’s “The Wiz,” started on the immaculate notes of “What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin’” and “(You’re Puttin’) A Rush On Me.”

The gorgeous “I Have Learned To Respect The Power Of Love” was another example of a stunning vocal range, “Never Knew Love Like This Before” turned it up on the dance floor and her signature song, “Home,” was a true showstopper.

To kick it all off, “Empress Of Soul” Gladys Knight was nothing short of majestic as she flexed those unmistakable pipes throughout the gritty “Taste Of Bitter Love” and the uptempo R&B of “Love Overboard.”

The immortality only increased as the set progressed, including “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” “That’s What Friends Are For” and “Midnight Train To Georgia,” all of which created memories to last a lifetime as these legendary ladies pulled out of the station towards the next city on this once-in-a-lifetime package.

For additional information on Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight and Stephanie Mills, visit ChakaKhan.com, PattiLabelle.com, GladysKnight.com and IAmStephanieMills.com.

For a list of upcoming Black Promoters Collective concerts, visit BlackPromotersCollective.com.

Upcoming shows at the United Center include Alejandro Fernández (Jun. 6); Lil Baby (Jun. 25); Tyler, The Creator (Jun. 30-Jul. 1); Keyshia Cole (Jul. 5); Wu-Tang Clan (Jul. 7); Windy City Smokeout (Jul. 10-13); Phish (Jul. 18-20); Ado (Jul. 31); Enhypen (Aug. 9); Linkin Park (Aug. 11); Tate McRae (Aug. 15); Nine Inch Nails (Aug. 19-20); Benson Boone (Aug. 23); Dua Lipa (Sept. 5-6); Haim (Sept. 12); Mt. Joy (Sept. 13); Lady Gaga (Sept. 15, 17 and 18); Lorde (Sept. 19); Kali Uchis (Sept. 22-23); NBA Youngboy (Sept. 24); Keith Urban (Sept. 25); Maná (Sept. 26-27); Ice Cube (Oct. 6); Mumford & Sons (Oct. 8); Tate McRae (Oct. 21) and Nate Bargatze (Oct. 23-24). For additional details, visit UnitedCenter.com.

Related Articles

Frankie Beverly waves a funky farewell to United Center alongside Maze after Chaka’s fab 50th “The Empress Of Soul” Gladys Knight bestows Ravinia with an immaculate overview In Super Bowl-sized streak, Mary J. Blige sells out United Center, says “Good Morning Gorgeous” Train: “A Girl, A Bottle, A Boat” Tour at United Center Together and apart, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Train turn in United Center sing-a-long “Ain’t Nobody” better than Chaka Khan, plus Gryffin, drag galore for Pride In The Park closer Hard Rock rings in third birthday with The Jacksons’ homecoming, Eve 6’s alt-rock freebie Pride In The Park made it through the rain for Tiesto’s pulsating beats, Betty Who’s bounce