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“Empress of Soul”. You can keep your “King of Rock’n’Roll”, “Lord of the Dance”, and “Pop Princess”, is there a nickname in music that sounds as deliciously regal as “Empress of Soul”? I really don’t think there is. It’s the kind of name that’s earned, not bestowed, and when the woman it describes is Gladys Knight, there’s no-one who it fits better.
Her first taste of fame came when she was a mere seven years of age. She won a TV Talent show contest, namely Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour in 1952, the following year she formed a musical group with her brother, sister and cousins who christened themselves The Pips. By the end of the decade they were touring together and they were signed to Motown by 1966.
At this point in time it was rare for a band to be so incredibly experienced live. Even The Beatles, famed for cutting their teeth in their residencies in Hamburg and the Cavern, had only spent three years regularly performing live. Knight and The Pips however, had over a decade’s experience by this point and it showed.
According to her memoirs, she and The Pips were kicked off a tour opening for Diana Ross and The Supremes because they were upstaging Ross night after night and getting a better reception from the crowd. While arguably a second tier Motown act they still had considerable success on the label, with songs like the first released version of “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” and the Grammy winning "Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)".
Come 1973 however, they left for a better deal at Buddha records, where her first single was the monster hit “Midnight Train to Georgia”. Worked out pretty well for her, eh? It wasn’t just the music world she was conquering, as Knight made her acting debut in the 1976 film Pipe Dreams, that saw her get a Golden Globe nomination for Best New Actress.
Since then she’s recorded with the likes of Stevie Wonder and Elton John, along with recording the theme for the 1989 James Bond film Licence To Kill. While her work today might focus more on her church and philanthropy than that electrifying voice, if anyone’s earned the right to take a break now and again, it’s her. Also, if she does take to the road once more, you can bet that she’s be absolutely peerless.
Gladys Knight is by far one of my favorite performers. As a kid growing up I remember listening to the sounds of her soulful voice singing Midnight Train to Georgia. That song always stuck in my head making me think one day a train to Georgia wouldn't be a bad thing to train. I think she sure could have sold millions of tickets for the train company singing that song.
It wasn't until I seen her in person that I really appreciated all of her music and singing ability. Starting from her unforgettable smile ending with her humble ways, I enjoyed every bit of her. You can hear her voice with such clarity and range over the mic. In person her voice is beautiful sweeping you in and filling the venue with hometown soul. Blues and Jazz with a soulful mix is what you feel at her concerts.
She also gives the history behind some of the songs she sings like when and where it was recorded. She just goes a step beyond to make sure you take in all that is offered. If she comes back on tour or does any shows in the near future I'll be sure to get a ticket and enjoy the old classic sounds of Motown.
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