Gladys Knight

Gladys Maria Knight, born May 28, 1944 in Atlanta, Georgia, began singing in her family’s Baptist church at the age of four and won a national talent contest by eight, showcasing a voice that would later be hailed as the “Empress of Soul.” At sixteen she recorded her first hit, “Every Beat of My Heart,” and soon formed the legendary group Gladys Knight & the Pips with her brother Bubba and cousins William Guest and Edward Patten. The quartet’s gritty yet polished sound earned a coveted spot on Motown in 1966, where they delivered iconic tracks such as “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Midnight Train to Georgia,” and the Grammy‑winning “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye).” Their dynamic stage presence, however, sometimes eclipsed label mates, leading Berry Gordy and Diana Ross to recognize Knight’s star power despite occasional tensions. Over the next two decades the Pips amassed eleven number‑one R&B singles, two Billboard Hot 100 chart‑toppers, and multiple Grammy Awards, cementing their legacy in both American and British popular music.

In the 1980s Knight launched a prolific solo career, delivering the soaring Bond theme “Licence to Kill,” collaborating on the charity anthem “That’s What Friends Are For,” and releasing acclaimed albums like Good Woman and At Last, which earned her a solo Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Album. Beyond music, she acted in films such as Pipe Dreams and made numerous television appearances, including a stint on Dancing with the Stars. Her contributions have been recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a National Medal of Arts, and a Kennedy Center Honor. Knight’s personal journey includes four marriages, two children, and a devotion to gospel through the Saints Unified Voices choir, illustrating a life as rich and resilient as the soulful ballads that define her career.