‘Queen of Funk’ Chaka Khan named grand marshal of 2019 Rose Parade

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Singer, songwriter and philanthropist Chaka Khan reacts as confetti rains down as she was named the 2019 parade Grand Marshal, at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Tournament House in Pasadena on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018. The 10-time Grammy winner will ride in the 130th Rose Parade The theme for the parade is the Melody of Life. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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With Tournament president Gerald Freeny at right, singer, songwriter and philanthropist Chaka Khan poses for photos after being named the 2019 parade Grand Marshal, at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Tournament House in Pasadena on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018. The 10-time Grammy winner will ride in the 130th Rose Parade The theme for the parade is the Melody of Life. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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With Tournament president Gerald Freeny in the background, singer, songwriter and philanthropist Chaka Khan speaks after being named the 2019 parade Grand Marshal, at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Tournament House in Pasadena on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018. The 10-time Grammy winner will ride in the 130th Rose Parade The theme for the parade is the Melody of Life. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Royal Court members Helen Susan Rossi, from Flintridge Prep, and Rucha Kadamsinger, from La Canada High School, clap as singer, songwriter and philanthropist Chaka Khan was named the 2019 parade Grand Marshal, at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Tournament House in Pasadena on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018. The 10-time Grammy winner will ride in the 130th Rose Parade The theme for the parade is the Melody of Life. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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Singer, songwriter and philanthropist Chaka Khan was named the 2019 parade Grand Marshal, at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Tournament House in Pasadena on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018. The 10-time Grammy winner will ride in the 130th Rose Parade The theme for the parade is the Melody of Life. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

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By Carol Cormaci

Oct. 17, 2018 9:50 AM PT

Recording artist Chaka Khan, a 10-time Grammy Award winner, will serve as grand marshal of the 2019 Rose Parade, it was announced before an appreciative crowd this morning at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses headquarters.

Tournament of Roses President Gerald Feeny, who chose the theme of this year’s parade, “The Melody of Life,” noted in making the announcement the appropriateness of inviting Khan, also known as the “Queen of Funk,” to serve in the honorary role.

Outlining the history of her performing career, which has included not only singing, but acting, Feeny said “no genre could resist [Khan’s] incredible talent.”

Stepping out onto the Tournament House front steps to a round of applause, the 65-year-old Khan, also known for playing the role of Sofia on Broadway in “The Color Purple,” said she felt honored to have been named the grand marshal.

“Thank you all … I hope you like me,” she said, somewhat shyly. Receiving a warm response, Khan said she had been giving some thought to how she’ll approach the New Year’s Day celebration.

“I’m thinking now about [wearing] a rose hairpiece — something purple.”

carol.cormaci@latimes.com

Twitter: @CarolCormaci