The Farr Side: Gladys Knight a legend in her own right

When you hear a list of legendary artists like Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross and Patti LaBelle, you’re bound to see Gladys Knight’s name, too. She’s one of the all-time leading ladies and a true class act. That’s why we call her the “Empress Of Soul.”

Gladys Knight is a seven-time Grammy winner who has enjoyed success for seven decades while placing songs at No. 1 on the pop, Soul, R&B, Gospel and Adult Contemporary charts as a solo female vocalist and with her famous group, Gladys Kight & The Pips. That success is coupled with film, television and live performance making her an icon in the entertainment industry.

Knight’s career would be a dream come true for most artists. Most would also be satisfied with the achievements and rest on their laurels, but not Knight. She’s still commanding attention and continuing to dazzle her loyal fans and making a few new ones as she goes.

Knight will perform Thursday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the award-winning Blue Gate Performing Arts Center in Shipshewana, Ind. The show will feature an array of songs illustrating her incredible legacy in entertainment.

Long before her recent stints on “The Masked Singer” and “Dancing With The Stars,” Knight made a reality of her own as part of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame group Gladys Knight & The Pips in the 1950s.

The Pips were based out of Atlanta and comprised Gladys, her brother Merald Knight and her sister, Brenda Knight with their cousins Eleanor and William Guest. The family act gained notoriety with appearances at various talent shows when in 1957 things changed when the act signed a record deal.

Eleanor and William departed while another cousin, Edward Patten, joined. Langston George came on board in 1959. Life happened and Gladys started a family. In 1964, she returned. Motown nabbed Gladys and her Pips and signed the group in 1966.

They instantly hit with their version of “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.” Numerous hit singles followed including “Nitty Gritty,” “Friendship Train,” “If I Were Your Woman,” “I Don’t Want To Do Wrong” and the mega-hit “Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye),” which earned the group a Grammy.

Signing with Buddha Records, the hits continued. Songs like “Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me,” “I’ve Got To Use My Imagination,” I Feel A Song (In My Heart)” and the group’s biggest hit “Midnight Train To Georgia.” “Midnight Train To Georgia” was a No. 1 smash and also garnered the group another Grammy award.

More singles followed including “On And On,” “The Makings Of You,” “Make Yours A Happy Home,” “Save The Overtime (For Me)” and “Love Overboard.”

Although a Pip, Knight succeeded as a solo artist and continued to reign supreme. She has recorded eight solo albums and was involved in some major projects including the recording of the James Bond theme “License To Kill.”

In 1985, Knight joined Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder and Elton John for the single, “That’s What Friends Are For.” The song became an anthem and remained at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The song eventually became the No. 1 song of that year and raised millions of dollars for AIDS research.

Knight is an icon in every sense and it's quite fitting that she was bestowed a coveted Kennedy Center Honor. It that wasn’t enough, Rolling Stone magazine branded the “Empress” among the 100 Greatest Singers Of All Time.

Tickets are still available to see the legendary Gladys Knight by calling the venue at 260-768-4725 or at bluegatetheatre.com.

— David T. Farr is a Journal correspondent. Email him at farrboy@hotmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: The Farr Side: Gladys Knight a legend in her own right