Gladys Knight | |
|---|---|
 Knight in 1997 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | The Empress of Soul |
| Born | Gladys Maria Knight (1944-05-28)May 28, 1944 (age 81) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1948–present |
| Labels | |
| Formerly of | Gladys Knight & The Pips |
Spouses | |
| Website | gladysknight |
Gladys Maria Knight (born May 28, 1944) is an American singer and actress. Knight recorded hits through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s with her family groupGladys Knight & the Pips, which included her brotherMerald "Bubba" Knight and cousinsWilliam Guest andEdward Patten. She has won seven Grammy Awards (four as a solo artist and three with the Pips),[1] and is often referred to as the "Empress of Soul".[2][3]
Knight has recorded two number-oneBillboard Hot 100 singles ("Midnight Train to Georgia" and "That's What Friends Are For" which she did withDionne Warwick,Elton John andStevie Wonder), eleven number-oneR&B singles and six number-oneR&B albums. In 1989, Knight recorded thetheme song for theJames Bond filmLicence to Kill.
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Two of her songs ("I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "Midnight Train to Georgia") were inducted into theGrammy Hall of Fame for "historical, artistic and significant" value.[4][5] She is an inductee into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame andVocal Group Hall of Fame along with The Pips.Rolling Stone magazine ranked Knight among the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time (2010).[6] She is also a recipient of theNational Medal of Arts andKennedy Center Honors.
Gladys Knight was born inAtlanta, Georgia, on May 28, 1944, to Sarah Elizabeth (née Woods), a nurse's aide, and Merald Woodlow Knight Sr., a postal worker.[7] Her parents were members of both the church choir and a local choir group.[8] She has a sister, Brenda, and two brothers,Merald "Bubba" Jr. and David "Billy".[9][10][11]
Knight was raisedBaptist and began singing gospel music at age four at the Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Atlanta.[12] At the age of eight, she wonTed Mack'sThe Original Amateur Hour TV show contest singingNat King Cole's "Too Young."[13] Shortly after, Knight along with her brother Bubba, sister Brenda, and cousins Eleanor andWilliam Guest performed together during Bubba's tenth birthday party after a record player malfunctioned. The quintet later formed a group at the encouragement of Knight's mother.[10] The group settled on the nameThe Pips, inspired by the nickname of their cousin and manager, James "Pip" Woods.[14]
The Pips performed at church, talent shows, and clubs opening for popular acts, then signed withBrunswick Records in 1957 and began releasing singles.[15] After a few lineup changes, the group debuted their first album in 1960 when Knight was just 16.[12] By then, she had recorded five songs and released her first hit single, “Every Beat of My Heart.” The group's success was later halted by Knight's departure to start a family with husband and musician Jimmy Newman, resuming soon after when she returned.
Knight attended the historicBooker T. Washington High School, in Atlanta, later transferring and graduating from Archer High School.
Gladys Knight & the Pips joined theMotown Records roster in 1966 (with only three hits to their credit - "Every Beat of My Heart", "Giving Up" and "Letter Full of Tears"),[16] and, although initially regarded as a second-string act by the label, scored several major hit singles, including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" (number one in 1967) (released later byMarvin Gaye), "The Nitty Gritty" (1969), "Friendship Train" (1969), "If I Were Your Woman" (1970), "I Don't Want To Do Wrong" (1971), theGrammy Award–winning "Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)" (1972), and "Daddy Could Swear (I Declare)" (1973). In their early Motown career, Gladys Knight and the Pips toured as the opening act forDiana Ross and the Supremes. Gladys Knight stated in her memoirs that Ross kicked her off the tour because the audience's reception to Knight's soulful performance overshadowed her.Berry Gordy later told Knight that she was giving his act a hard time.[17]
The act left Motown for a better deal withBuddah Records in 1973, and achieved even greater mainstream success that year with hits such as the Grammy-winning "Midnight Train to Georgia" (number one on the pop and R&B chart), "I've Got to Use My Imagination", "The Way We Were/Try To Remember" and "Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me". In the summer of 1974, Knight and the Pips recorded thesoundtrack to the filmClaudine with producerCurtis Mayfield, which included the songs "On and On", "The Makings of You" and "Make Yours a Happy Home".
The act was particularly successful in Europe, and especially the United Kingdom. Several of the Buddah singles became hits in the UK several years after their release in the US. For example, "Midnight Train to Georgia" hit the Top 5 of the UK singles chart in the summer of 1976, a full three years after its success in the U.S.
Knight and the Pips continued to have hits until the late 1970s, when they were forced to record separately due to legal issues, resulting in Knight's first solo LP recordings—Miss Gladys Knight (1978) on Buddah andGladys Knight (1979) onColumbia Records. After divorcing James Newman II in 1973, Knight marriedBarry Hankerson, then Detroit mayorColeman Young's executive aide. Knight and Hankerson remained married for four years, during which time they had a son, Shanga Ali. Hankerson and Knight became embroiled in a heated custody battle over Shanga Ali. In 1980,Johnny Mathis invited Knight to record two duets— "When A Child Is Born" (previously a hit for Mathis) and "The Lord's Prayer".
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Signing withColumbia Records in 1980 and restored to its familiar quartet form, Gladys Knight & the Pips began releasing new material. The act enlisted former Motown producersNickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson for their first two albums:About Love (1980), which included the hit "Landlord" andTouch (1981).
In 1983, Gladys Knight and the Pips scored again with the hit "Save the Overtime (For Me)". The song, under the artistic direction of Leon Sylvers III (known for collaborating on Shalamar hits), was done in a soulful boogie style. The single was released from their LP "Visions" and reached number 66 on the Hot 100, but was more successful on the R&B where it hit number one for a single week in mid 1983. The single was the first time the group hit number one on the R&B chart since 1974. The video accompanying the song became among the earliest R&B videos to incorporate elements ofhip hop culture. The album also included the R&B hit "You're Number One (In My Book)".
In 1987, Knight decided to pursue a solo career, and she and the Pips recorded their final LP together,All Our Love (1987), forMCA Records. Its infectious lead single, "Love Overboard", was a number-one R&B hit and won another Grammy for the act as well. After a successful 1988 tour, the Pips retired and Knight began her solo career. Gladys Knight & the Pips were inducted into theGeorgia Music Hall of Fame[18] in 1989, into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame[19] in 1996 and theVocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001.
While still with the Pips, Gladys Knight joined withDionne Warwick,Stevie Wonder, andElton John on the 1985AIDS benefit single, "That's What Friends Are For", a number one hit, which won a Grammy for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal.
Knight shared a stage withDionne Warwick andPatti LaBelle for the 1986HBO specialSisters in the Name of Love, which she co-executive produced and received three ACE Awards for Performance in a Music Special, as well as nominations for Best Music Special and Costume Design in 1987. On March 27, 1988, Knight performed a rendition of "America the Beautiful" atWrestlemania 4 inAtlantic City, NJ. In 1989, she recorded "Licence to Kill", the title track forJames Bond film of the same name, a Top-10 hit in the UK and Germany.
Knight released her third and most successful solo LP,Good Woman, onMCA in 1991, which hit number one on the R&B album chart, featured the number 2 R&B hit "Men", and reached number 45 on the mainBillboard album chart — her all-time-highest showing. The album also featured "Superwoman", written byBabyface and featuringDionne Warwick andPatti LaBelle; the track was nominated for a Grammy. Knight and LaBelle collaborated the same year on "I Don't Do Duets", for LaBelle's albumBurnin'. Also in 1991, Knight performed the national anthem at Game 1 of theWorld Series.
Her fourth solo album,Just for You, wentGold and was nominated for the 1995Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. The fifth solo album,At Last, earned her first solo Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Album in 2000.[20]
Knight created and directs theMormon-themed choirSaints Unified Voices.[21] SUV has released a Grammy Award-winning CD titledOne Voice, and occasionally performs at LDS churchfiresides.
In April 2004, Knight co-headlined theVH1's benefit concertDivas Live 2004 alongsideAshanti,Cyndi Lauper,Jessica Simpson,Joss Stone,Debbie Harry, andPatti LaBelle, in support of the Save the Music Foundation.
In 2005, a duet between Knight andRay Charles of "You Were There" was released on Charles' duets albumGenius & Friends.
In the spring of 2008, Knight appeared alongside Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle and Diana Ross at the 'Divas with Heart' concert in aid of cardiac research, at New York's Radio City Hall. Also in 2008 Gladys, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr. and Ben Stiller performed onAmerican Idol to raise money for charity.
In 2009, Knight sang "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" and "The Lord's Prayer" at the funeral service forMichael Jackson.[22]
In September 2011, a new, updated recording of Shirley Bassey's 1960s classic "I (Who Have Nothing)" was released on iTunes and Amazon.[23]
In 2013, Knight recorded theLenny Kravitz-written and -produced song "You And I Ain't Nothin' No More" for the soundtrack fromLee Daniels' motion pictureThe Butler. The song was added to the movie's soundtrack of older songs with various artists so the producers could nominate it for Best Song from a Motion Picture category at theAcademy Awards.[24]
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Where My Heart Belongs (2014) marked her 30th top-40 R&B album, including work by Gladys Knight & the Pips.[25] In a 2014 interview, she expressed a hope that women would "Stand Up" and stop selling sex in the music/entertainment industry. She commented that the growing trend saddened her heart and that she had been taught to dress respectfully for her audiences ... "not take it off, put it on."[26] Knight is ranked number 18 on VH1 network's list of the 100 Greatest Women of Rock.
In 2019, Knight accepted an invitation to sing thenational anthem atSuper Bowl LIII.[27] She faced criticism for agreeing to perform due to the alleged blacklisting ofColin Kaepernick by theNational Football League after he beganprotesting police brutality during pre-game anthem ceremonies.[28] Similar criticism was expressed against thehalf-time show performers,Maroon 5,Travis Scott, andBig Boi.[29] Knight defended her decision to sing, claiming to understand Kaepernick's reasons for protesting but criticizing him for kneeling during the national anthem.[30][31]
In 2019, Knight was invited to play at the 100th Anniversary ofDelaware State Fair, located inHarrington, Delaware.[32]
In 2022, Knight receivedKennedy Center Honors, presented by U.S. PresidentJoe Biden.[33][34] She also headlined a U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Dinner at the White House.[35]
In October 2009, Knight started her farewell tour of the United Kingdom,[36] which featuredTito Jackson as her supporting act and special appearances byDionne Warwick.
The UK Farewell Tour featured higher production values than previous "Gladys Knight, a mic and a light" appearances by Knight in the UK. A glossy program was available and the show featured pre-produced animation on large on-stage screens. The tour was promoted by an appearance on the TV programLater... with Jools Holland where Knight performed "If I Were Your Woman" and "Help Me Make It Through the Night".
In spite of her "farewell", Knight started touring the UK again a few years later, playing gigs in Scotland and England in 2015,[37] 2016,[38] 2017,[39] 2019, 2022[40] and 2024.[41] A farewell tour of Australia and New Zealand was announced for March 2024.[42]
In 1976, Knight made her acting debut as the lead in the filmPipe Dreams for which she was nominated for aGolden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress.[43] In 2003, she had a small role in the movieHollywood Homicide, which starredHarrison Ford andJosh Hartnett. In 2009, Knight was featured inTyler Perry'sI Can Do Bad All by Myself, the film version of a play he had dramatized, and performed her song "The Need To Be" from the 1974 albumI Feel a Song.
In 1975, Knight starred in a variety show,The Gladys Knight and the Pips Show, which was canceled after four episodes. She also guest-starred on several TV series throughout the 1980s and 1990s, appearing onBenson,The Jeffersons,A Different World,Living Single,The Jamie Foxx Show, andNew York Undercover. In 1985, she co-starred on theCBS sitcomCharlie & Co., alongside comedianFlip Wilson, which lasted for one season.
In April 2005, she portrayed a singer in an episode ofJAG. In April 2009, she made a special guest appearance, and performed a song, onTyler Perry'sHouse of Payne. Knight has also made a number of cameo appearances, including onLas Vegas and30 Rock. In 2012, she began a recurring role in the syndicated sitcomThe First Family.
In 2012, Knight competed onseason 14 ofDancing with the Stars, partnered withTristan MacManus. They were eliminated on April 24 after losing a "dance duel" toDisney Channel starRoshon Fegan and partnerChelsie Hightower, ironically on the show's "Motown Week".[44]
In 2017, she appeared as herself in the musical-drama TV seriesStar.[45]
In 2018, she played Ella Grover, mother of Captain Lou Grover, in the "Lele pū nā manu like" ("Birds of a Feather...") episode ofHawaii Five-0, which first aired on November 16, 2018.[46]
In February 2019, she was revealed to have competed as "Bee" on thefirst season ofThe Masked Singer, in which she placed third.[47] She performed"Chandelier", "Locked Out of Heaven","Wrecking Ball","What's Love Got to Do with It", "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman", and "I Can't Make You Love Me". She finished behindDonny Osmond as "Peacock" andT-Pain as "Monster".
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Knight's son Shanga Hankerson owns a chain ofchicken and waffles restaurants based in Atlanta, bearing her name.[48] Gladys Knight &Ron Winans' Chicken & Waffles opened three locations in the Atlanta area. One location was featured on the Travel Channel original seriesMan v. Food.[49] In June 2016, authorities in Georgia raided two of the restaurants and its headquarters.[50]
In 2016,WSB-TV reported that Hankerson was at the center of an investigation involving unpaid taxes, penalties and interest. Georgia Department of Revenue Special Investigations Chief Jeff Mitchell told the station that the investigation solely involved Hankerson and not Knight.[50]
In 1960, Knight marriedAtlanta musician and high school sweetheart James "Jimmy" Newman.[51][52][53] The couple had a miscarriage and went on to have two children. Their son, James "Jimmy" Gaston Newman III, was born in 1962,[54] and their daughter, Kenya Maria Newman, was born in 1963. In the early 1960s, Knight's family and the Pips moved toDetroit. The family lived inSherwood Forest, an upscale neighborhood on Detroit's West Side. Knight retired from the road to raise their children while the Pips toured on their own, later returning with Newman as the group's musical director. Newman later became addicted to drugs and left the family when Knight was 20. They remained married for over 12 years and were separated for 7 years until their divorce in 1973.[52][55] Newman died a few years later.[56]
In 1974, Knight marriedBarry Hankerson, founder ofBlackground Records, in Detroit. The couple had a son, Shanga Ali Hankerson, born on August 1, 1976. Around 1977, they relocated to Las Vegas. Their marriage ended in 1979 with a prolonged custody battle over their son.[56][57] Knight spent over a million dollars searching for her son after he was kidnapped.[58] In 1995, Knight married motivational speakerLes Brown,[59] divorcing in 1997.[60]
Knight was raised aBaptist, later was aCatholic, and was baptized in 1997 intoThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, inspired by her daughter and son who had left Catholicism to join.[61][62] She had occasionally teasedLDS presidentGordon B. Hinckley, saying they needed to inject some "pep" into their music.[63] He agreed, which resulted in the founding of theSaints Unified Voices gospel choir directed by Knight. In 2018, Knight led the Be One Choir at the "Be One" event inSalt Lake City, Utah.[64]
Knight has an honorary doctorate fromShaw University inRaleigh, North Carolina.[65]
Knight's son Jimmy Newman III managed her career through his Newman Management Inc. until his death from heart failure on July 10, 1999, at age 36.[66] Newman was survived by his wife, Michelene; daughters Nastasia and Gabrielle; and sons Rishawn, Stefan, and Sterling. Following his death, her daughter Kenya Jackson took over management.[54]
Knight married William McDowell in 2001.[67] They have seventeen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren between them.[68] Knight and McDowell reside inFairview, North Carolina, near where they own a community center, the former Reynolds High School in Canton attended by McDowell.[69][70]
LinebackerDemetrius Knight comes from the same Knight family; he and Gladys are "distant cousins."[71]
In 2017, Knight helped raise $400,000 for the Children's Learning Centers of Fairfield County, in Stamford, Connecticut. The event was held at the Palace Theatre and was co-hosted byCarol Anne Riddell andAlan Kalter.[72]
Knight had a gambling addiction that lasted more than a decade. In the late 1980s, after losing $60,000 in one night at thebaccarat table, she joinedGamblers Anonymous, which helped her quit the habit.[58]
In 1996, Gladys Knight & the Pips were inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame. One year before, Knight had received a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame. In 2007, Knight received theSociety of Singers ELLA Award at which time she was declared the "Empress of Soul". She is listed onRolling Stone's list of the Greatest Singers of All Time.[73] In 2021, Knight received theNational Medal of Arts. And, in 2022, Knight received aKennedy Center Honor.[74] In 2023, Knight received theGrammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Pipe Dreams | Maria Wilson | Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress nominee |
| 1987 | Desperado | Mona Lisa | |
| 1993 | Twenty Bucks | Mrs. McCormic | |
| 2003 | Hollywood Homicide | Olivia Robidoux | |
| 2006 | Unbeatable Harold | Phyllis | |
| 2006 | Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn't Happen | Candie (voice) | |
| 2009 | I Can Do Bad All by Myself | Wilma | Performed "The Need To Be" from the 1974 albumI Feel a Song |
| 2014 | Seasons of Love | Ms. Angie | Holiday movie |
| 2016 | Almost Christmas | Dorothy, Shelter Director | |
| 2021 | Coming 2 America | Herself | |
| 2022 | I'm Glad It's Christmas | Cora Lawson, Businesswoman | Holiday movie |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | The Muppet Show | Herself | Season 5, episode 16 |
| 1983 | The Jeffersons | Herself | "The Good Life" (season 9: episode 20) |
| 1985–1986 | Charlie & Co. | Diana Richmond | 18 episodes |
| 1987 | CBS Schoolbreak Special | Dr. Donna Robinson | "An Enemy Among Us" (season 4, episode 7) |
| 1988 | A Different World | Herself | "Three Girls Three" (season 2, episode 5) |
| 1994 | New York Undercover | Natalie | 2 episodes |
| 1997 | Living Single | Odelle Jones | 2 episodes |
| 1999 | Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child | Chocolate | "The Bremen Town Musicians" (season 3, episode 3) |
| 1996–2001 | The Jamie Foxx Show | Janice King | 11 episodes |
| 2003 | American Juniors | Herself / Judge | |
| 2005 | JAG | Etta | "Unknown Soldier" (season 10, episode 20) |
| 2008 | 30 Rock | Herself | "210" (season 2, episode 10) |
| 2009 | House of Payne | Herself | "The Talent Show" (season 5, episode 20) |
| 2012–2013 | The First Family | Grandma Carolyn | 9 episodes |
| 2015 | Hot in Cleveland | Miss Shonda | 1 episode |
| 2017 | Star | Herself | 2 episodes |
| 2018 | Hawaii Five-0 | Ella Grover | "Lele pū nā manu like" ("Birds of a Feather...")[75] |
| 2019 | The Masked Singer | Bee/Herself | Third place |
Knight has won sevenGrammys with twenty-two nominations altogether.[76]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | "I Heard It Through The Grapevine"(award for Knight, performance byGladys Knight & the Pips) | Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Female | Nominated |
| 1970 | "Friendship Train"(Gladys Knight & the Pips) | Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo Or Group | Nominated |
| 1972 | "If I Were Your Woman"(Gladys Knight & the Pips) | Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Group | Nominated |
| 1973 | "Help Me Make It Through the Night"(Gladys Knight & the Pips) | Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus | Nominated |
| 1974 | "Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)"(Gladys Knight & the Pips) | Best Pop Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus | Won |
| "Midnight Train To Georgia"(Gladys Knight & the Pips) | Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo Or Group | Won | |
| 1975 | "I Feel A Song (In My Heart)"(Gladys Knight & the Pips) | Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus | Nominated |
| 1976 | "The Way We Were"/"Try to Remember"(Gladys Knight & the Pips) | Best Pop Vocal Performance By A Group | Nominated |
| 1978 | "Baby Don't Change Your Mind"(Gladys Knight & the Pips) | Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus | Nominated |
| 1981 | About Love(Gladys Knight & the Pips) | Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal | Nominated |
| 1986 | "That's What Friends Are For"(Dionne Warwick,Elton John, Gladys Knight &Stevie Wonder) | Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal | Won |
| Record of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 1988 | "Love Overboard"(Gladys Knight And the Pips) | Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal | Won |
| 1991 | "Superwoman"(Gladys Knight,Patti LaBelle & Dionne Warwick) | Nominated | |
| Good Woman | Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female | Nominated | |
| 1994 | Just for You | Best R&B Album | Nominated |
| "I Don't Want to Know" | Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| 1996 | "Missing You"(Brandy,Tamia, Gladys Knight &Chaka Khan) | Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals | Nominated |
| 1999 | Many Different Roads | Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album | Nominated |
| 2001 | At Last | Best Traditional R&B Vocal Album | Won |
| 2004 | "Heaven Help Us All"(Gladys Knight &Ray Charles) | Best Gospel Performance | Won |
| 2005 | One Voice(Gladys Knight &Saints Unified Voices) | Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album | Won |
My parents were members of both the prestigious Wings over Jordan and Mount Moriah churches choirs.
'I understand that Mr. Kaepernick is protesting two things, and they are police violence and injustice,' she wrote. 'It is unfortunate that our National Anthem has been dragged into this debate when the distinctive senses of the National Anthem and fighting for justice should each stand alone. I am here today and on Sunday, Feb. 3 to give the Anthem back its voice, to stand for that historic choice of words, the way it unites us when we hear it and to free it from the same prejudices and struggles I have fought long and hard for all my life, from walking back hallways, from marching with our social leaders, from using my voice for good — I have been in the forefront of this battle longer than most of those voicing their opinions to win the right to sing our country's Anthem on a stage as large as the Super Bowl LIII.'
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Black people and the Latter Day Saint movement | |
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| Overview articles | |
| Historical teachings | |
| Living people | |
| Deceased people | |
