Gladys Knight

Who Is Gladys Knight?

Gladys Knight, often referred to as the “Empress of Soul,” is a legendary singer and actress who began her music career at the age of 8 with her siblings in a group called “The Pips.” Throughout the 1950s and beyond, the group opened for major R&B acts and later found success on Motown Records, crossing over to pop music. As “Gladys Knight and the Pips,” they recorded their iconic hit, “Midnight Train to Georgia.” Knight embarked on a solo career in 1989, further solidifying her place in music history.

Early Years

Born Gladys Maria Knight on May 28, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia, Knight’s talent was evident from a young age. At just 4 years old, she made her solo debut at the Mount Mariah Baptist Church and won a prize for her performance on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour. In 1952, Knight, alongside her brother Merald (“Bubba”), sister Brenda, and cousins Elenor and William Guest, formed “The Pips.” The group gained traction on the “Chitlin Circuit” in the South, opening for big names like Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke, thanks to Knight’s soulful vocals and the Pips’ harmonies and choreography.

The Pips’ Rise to Fame

The Pips released their first single, “Whistle My Love,” in 1957, but it wasn’t until 1961, with the release of “Every Beat of My Heart,” that they had their first hit. Their career truly took off in the mid-1960s after signing with Motown Records. Under the guidance of songwriter/producer Norman Whitfield, the group achieved mainstream success with hits like “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and later “If I Were Your Woman.” Their cross-genre appeal led to appearances on television and extensive touring.

In 1973, the group left Motown for Buddah Records, where their final Motown single, “Neither One of Us Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye,” became their first No. 1 crossover hit, earning them a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance. The group—now officially “Gladys Knight and the Pips”—entered the peak of their career in the mid-1970s with hits like “I’ve Got to Use My Imagination,” “Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me,” and their signature song, “Midnight Train to Georgia,” which won a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance.

Continued Success and Transition to a Solo Career

During the 1970s, the group recorded soundtracks, hosted TV specials, and continued releasing hit albums. By the late 1980s, legal issues and changes in the industry led Knight to part ways with the Pips. In 1989, she launched a successful solo career, starting with recording the theme song for the James Bond film Licence to Kill and releasing the album A Good Woman in 1990, featuring collaborations with music icons like Dionne Warwick and Patti LaBelle.

Today, Gladys Knight remains an enduring figure in the world of soul and R&B, beloved for her powerful voice and timeless contributions to music.

Later Projects

Throughout the 1990s, Gladys Knight continued to tour and record, releasing the well-received album Just For You in 1994, showcasing her signature powerful vocals and tireless dedication to her craft. Beyond her music career, Knight expanded her talents into acting, securing a recurring role in the 1994 TV series New York Undercover. She also made guest appearances on popular shows such as Living Single and JAG. On the big screen, Knight featured in Tyler Perry’s 2009 film I Can Do Bad All By Myself. Though her days of topping the charts were behind her, Knight, affectionately known as the “Empress of Soul,” continued producing music. Reflecting on her career, she once said, “Since I’ve been so wonderfully blessed, I really want to share and to make life at least a little better. So every chance I get to share the gospel or uplift people, I will take full advantage of that opportunity.” Her passion for uplifting others was evident in her 2005 gospel album One Voice, recorded with the Saints United Voices choir, which performed well commercially. She followed this with the 2006 album Before Me, which also garnered praise.

In 2012, Knight embraced a new challenge, joining the cast of Dancing with the Stars, competing against celebrities like Melissa Gilbert, Jaleel White, and Sherri Shepherd. Two years later, she returned to the studio to release Where My Heart Belongs, an album infused with gospel influences. In 2019, Knight was honored with the prestigious opportunity to sing the national anthem at Super Bowl LIII, solidifying her status as a beloved cultural icon.

Personal Life and Spouses

Knight’s personal life has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. At just 16 years old, she married her first husband, Atlanta musician Jimmy Newman. They had two children, James and Kenya, but their marriage was marred by Newman’s struggles with drug addiction. He ultimately abandoned the family and passed away shortly afterward. Her second marriage, to Barry Hankerson, ended in 1979 following a bitter custody battle over their son, Shanga. Knight later married author and motivational speaker Les Brown in 1995, though the relationship ended in 1997.

Amid these personal struggles, Knight battled a serious gambling addiction that spanned more than a decade. In the late 1980s, after losing $45,000 in a single night, she sought help from Gamblers Anonymous, successfully overcoming her addiction.

Since 1978, Knight has made Las Vegas her home, living close to her mother, Elizabeth, and two of her children and their families. She continues to perform regularly in Las Vegas and on tour. In 1997, she published her memoir, Between Each Line of Pain and Glory: My Life Story, offering an intimate look into her journey. Knight’s immense contributions to music were recognized with her 1996 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside the Pips, and in 1998, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation.

In April 2001, Knight married William McDowell, a corporate consultant. The two reportedly met a decade earlier but only began dating in early 2001, leading to their marriage later that same year.