Chaka Khan enters rehab for addiction to painkillers: 'We knew it was time to take action to save our lives'

The "I Feel For You" singer says Prince's death has encouraged her and her sister to seek help

Chaka Khan performs live at Sydney Festival 2014 (Getty)

Chaka Kahn and her sister have entered an intensive rehabilitation programme to tackle an addiction to prescription pain killers.

The Grammy-award winning singer said she was entering a programme voluntarily with her sister Yvonne Stevens, also known as Taka Boom.

Khan, 63, said the death of her friend Prince had forced her into action. Khan’s 1984 cover of Prince’s "I Feel For You" is one of her most famous songs and the pair were friends for decades before his death aged 57 in April. Autopsy results showed the iconic musician had died of an overdose of an opioid painkiller.

Khan told the Associated Press she had been struggling with an addiction to the same prescription drugs used by Prince.

“Unfortunately, I will miss concert appearances over the summer,” she said in a statement.

“However, it’s vital that I put my health and well-being first. I know that I am disappointing some of my fans, but I also know they would want me to recover and be well and healthy.

“The tragic death of Prince has had us both rethinking and reevaluating our lives and priorities. We knew it was time to take action to save our lives. My sister and I would like to thank everyone for their support, love and prayers.”