Gladys Knight
Legendary R&B Vocalist / American Juniors Judge
Gladys Knight began performing gospel music at age four in her Mount Mariah Baptist Church.
Categories :
Full Bio
Gladys Knight began performing gospel music at age four in her Mount Mariah Baptist Church and as a special guest soloist with the Morris Brown College Choir. At age seven, she won Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour (the 50’s version of today’s Star Search) and its $2,000 grand prize.
Just a year later, Knight (along with other family members) formed a group called The Pips, later known as Gladys Knight & The Pips. Their first album debuted in 1960 when Knight was only sixteen. The original version of their first hit on the album, Every Beat of My Heart, was followed by two more chart singles in 1960: “Guess Who?” and “Letter Full of Tears.” Four decades of hits followed on several record labels including Motown, Buddah, Columbia, and MCA. Ten songs reached #1 on the R&B chart, five became Top 20 pop hits, and three won Grammy’s.
Graced by Knight’s exquisite voice, and the dramatic choral arrangements of the Pips, the group transcended countless musical fads, achieved mainstream and international success in the mid 1970s, and made some of the most memorable records of our time, including Letter Full of Tears, I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Midnight Train To Georgia, and others.
In 1986 she produced the Ace Award Winning Sisters In The Name Of Love, an HBO television special starring Knight, Dionne Warwick and Patti LaBelle. Knight has appeared in several other television series, movies, and off-Broadway productions. In 1995, Knight received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a year later Gladys Knight & The Pips were inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall Of Fame. Knight’s autobiography, Between Each Line of Pain and Glory, a line taken from her million selling recording, Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me, reached bookshelves followed by multiple talk show appearances and a book signing tour.
In November of 2000, Knight released her soulful album At Last on MCA Records. The album later went on to win her first solo Grammy in February 2002 for Best Traditional R&B Vocal album, At Last.
The Elizabeth Knight Fund is named after Gladys Knight’s mother, Elizabeth, who passed away December 1997 from complications of type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association Elizabeth Knight Fund specifically supports peer-reviewed diabetes research to advance the basic science and clinical understanding of the disease. Knight has helped the Association bring forth awareness to the disease during her concerts, media interviews, and she has also worked with the Association on a cookbook, At Home with Gladys Knight.
In philanthropic efforts, Knight has not only lent her hand to the American Diabetes Association, but also the American Cancer Society, Minority AIDS Project, programs for battered women and abused children, AMFAR, homelessness, hunger prevention, and crisis intervention. She has been honored by numerous organizations for her dedication and selflessness to help those less fortunate.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
Fighting Diabetes: The Power of Love & Support
Knowledge in the Fight Against Diabetes
Videos
Gladys Knight - I Don't Want To Know (Official Video)
Gladys Knight The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me Lyrics
Books
News
Testimonials
GET IDEAS
1 HOUR OR LESS
