Jean Knight, ‘Mr. Big Stuff’ Singer, Dead at 80
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UNITED STATES - JANUARY 01: NEW ORLEANS JAZZ FESTIVAL Photo of Jean KNIGHT, Jean Knight performing on stage (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns)
Jean Knight, whose voice you'll most likely recognize from her hit 1971 single Mr. Big Stuff, has died. She was 80 years old.
Good Morning New Orleans anchor LBJ shared a statement, which TMZ later confirmed originated with the musician's family, on Twitter announcing her death on Nov. 26.
According to the formal obituary, Knight passed on Nov. 22, 2023. It didn't offer any additional details about her passing, though her publicist confirmed to TMZ that she died of natural causes.
Instead, the announcement focused on the late singer's multitude of accomplishments throughout her life and career—including the launching of her own label, Comstar.
RIP Jean Knight... we've all sung Mr. Big Stuff a time or two! pic.twitter.com/wgRECAHHBu
— LBJ📺📻 (@lbjnola) November 26, 2023
The New Orleans native's first track, a cover of Jackie Wilson’s Stop Doggin’ Me Around, came in 1965, with several moderately successful singles dropping between then and her pièce de résistance in '71, where she remained on Billboard’s R&B Charts and Pop Charts for 16 weeks, according to Deadline. It ultimately went double platinum—with over a million sales accruing during a resurgence in the '90s—and earned the singer her one and only Grammy nomination.
Throughout the years it was included in a variety of film and television projects, with countless other musicians covering and sampling the song.
Eventually, she left her label and formed her own, where she was able to enjoy “greater creative freedom while staying true to the musical traditions that shaped her.”
The notice continued, "Jean Knight's legacy is not just a musical one; it is a testament to the enduring love between an artist, her hometown, and the fans who adored her. As we bid farewell to this iconic soulstress, New Orleans and her global fan base join together in gratitude for the indelible mark she left on the world."
Her family signed off the heartfelt memorial by "kindly" asking fans for privacy as they navigate their loss, thanking them for their "love and support."
