History of Gladys Knight in Timeline
Gladys Knight is an acclaimed American singer, known as the "Empress of Soul." She achieved significant success with her family group, Gladys Knight & the Pips, throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, alongside her brother Merald "Bubba" Knight and cousins William Guest and Edward Patten. A testament to her talent and impact, Knight has been honored with seven Grammy Awards for her contributions to music.
May 28, 1944: Gladys Knight's Birth
On May 28, 1944, Gladys Maria Knight was born. She would become an American singer known as the "Empress of Soul".
1957: Signed with Brunswick Records
In 1957, The Pips signed with Brunswick Records and began releasing singles.
1960: First Album Debut
In 1960, Gladys Knight & the Pips debuted their first album. By this time, Gladys had recorded five songs and released her first hit single “Every Beat of My Heart”.
1960: Gladys Knight Married James "Jimmy" Newman
In 1960, Gladys Knight married Atlanta musician James "Jimmy" Newman, her high school sweetheart.
1962: Birth of Gladys Knight's Son James Newman III
In 1962, Gladys Knight and James "Jimmy" Newman had their first child, a son named James "Jimmy" Gaston Newman III.
1963: Birth of Gladys Knight's Daughter Kenya Maria Newman
In 1963, Gladys Knight and James "Jimmy" Newman had their second child, a daughter named Kenya Maria Newman.
1966: Joined Motown Records
In 1966, Gladys Knight & the Pips joined the Motown Records roster.
1967: "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" hit #1
In 1967, Gladys Knight & the Pips song "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" reached number one.
1969: Release of "The Nitty Gritty" and "Friendship Train"
In 1969, Gladys Knight & the Pips released major hit singles, "The Nitty Gritty" and "Friendship Train".
1970: Release of "If I Were Your Woman"
In 1970, Gladys Knight & the Pips released the major hit single "If I Were Your Woman".
1971: Release of "I Don't Want To Do Wrong"
In 1971, Gladys Knight & the Pips released the song "I Don't Want To Do Wrong".
1972: Grammy Award for "Neither One of Us"
In 1972, Gladys Knight & the Pips won a Grammy Award for "Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)".
1973: Divorced James Newman II
After divorcing James Newman II in 1973, Knight married Barry Hankerson.
1973: Signed with Buddah Records and "Midnight Train to Georgia" Release
In 1973, Gladys Knight & the Pips left Motown and signed with Buddah Records, achieving mainstream success with hits such as the Grammy-winning "Midnight Train to Georgia".
1973: Release of "Daddy Could Swear (I Declare)"
In 1973, Gladys Knight & the Pips released the single "Daddy Could Swear (I Declare)".
1973: Gladys Knight Divorced James "Jimmy" Newman
In 1973, Gladys Knight divorced James "Jimmy" Newman after being separated for seven years.
1974: Release of I Feel a Song
In 1974, Gladys Knight and the Pips released the album "I Feel a Song", which featured the song "The Need To Be".
1974: Gladys Knight Married Barry Hankerson
In 1974, Gladys Knight married Barry Hankerson, founder of Blackground Records, in Detroit.
1974: Claudine Soundtrack Recording
In the summer of 1974, Gladys Knight and the Pips recorded the soundtrack to the film Claudine with producer Curtis Mayfield, including the songs "On and On", "The Makings of You" and "Make Yours a Happy Home".
1974: Last time at number one on R&B chart since 1974
The single "Save the Overtime (For Me)" was the first time the group hit number one on the R&B chart since 1974.
1975: The Gladys Knight and the Pips Show
In 1975, Gladys Knight starred in a variety show, The Gladys Knight and the Pips Show, which was canceled after four episodes.
August 1, 1976: Birth of Gladys Knight's Son Shanga Ali Hankerson
On August 1, 1976, Gladys Knight and Barry Hankerson had a son, Shanga Ali Hankerson.
1976: Acting Debut in Pipe Dreams
In 1976, Gladys Knight made her acting debut as the lead in the film Pipe Dreams.
1976: "Midnight Train to Georgia" Top 5 in the UK
In the summer of 1976, "Midnight Train to Georgia" hit the Top 5 of the UK singles chart, three years after its U.S. success.
1977: Gladys Knight Relocated to Las Vegas
Around 1977, Gladys Knight and Barry Hankerson relocated to Las Vegas.
1978: First solo LP Miss Gladys Knight
Due to legal issues, Gladys Knight began recording separately from the Pips, resulting in her first solo LP recordings - Miss Gladys Knight in 1978.
1979: Gladys Knight LP Released
In 1979 Gladys Knight released the solo LP Gladys Knight on Columbia Records.
1979: Gladys Knight Divorced Barry Hankerson
In 1979, Gladys Knight and Barry Hankerson divorced.
1980: Signing with Columbia Records
In 1980, Gladys Knight & the Pips signed with Columbia Records and began releasing new material.
1980: Duets with Johnny Mathis
In 1980, Johnny Mathis invited Gladys Knight to record two duets— "When A Child Is Born" and "The Lord's Prayer".
1981: Release of "Touch"
In 1981, Gladys Knight & the Pips released the album "Touch" with former Motown producers.
1983: Hit with "Save the Overtime (For Me)"
In 1983, Gladys Knight and the Pips scored again with the hit "Save the Overtime (For Me)".
1985: Co-starred in Charlie & Co.
In 1985, Gladys Knight co-starred on the CBS sitcom Charlie & Co., alongside comedian Flip Wilson.
1985: AIDS Benefit Single
In 1985, Gladys Knight joined with Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, and Elton John on the AIDS benefit single, "That's What Friends Are For", which won a Grammy.
1986: HBO Special Sisters in the Name of Love
In 1986, Gladys Knight shared a stage with Dionne Warwick and Patti LaBelle for the HBO special Sisters in the Name of Love, which she co-executive produced and received three ACE Awards.
1987: Final LP Together
In 1987, Gladys Knight decided to pursue a solo career, and she and the Pips recorded their final LP together, All Our Love, for MCA Records.
1987: ACE Awards Nominations
In 1987, Gladys Knight's HBO Special Sisters in the Name of Love received nominations for Best Music Special and Costume Design.
March 27, 1988: Wrestlemania 4 Performance
On March 27, 1988, Gladys Knight performed a rendition of "America the Beautiful" at Wrestlemania 4 in Atlantic City, NJ.
1988: Successful Tour
After a successful 1988 tour, the Pips retired and Knight began her solo career.
1989: Induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame
In 1989, Gladys Knight & the Pips were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
1989: "Licence to Kill" Recording
In 1989, Gladys Knight recorded "Licence to Kill", the title track for the James Bond film of the same name.
1989: Theme song for Licence to Kill
In 1989, Gladys Knight recorded the theme song for the James Bond film Licence to Kill.
1991: Good Woman Album Release and Success
In 1991, Gladys Knight released her third and most successful solo LP, Good Woman, which hit No. 1 on the R&B album chart.
1995: Gladys Knight Married Les Brown
In 1995, Gladys Knight married motivational speaker Les Brown.
1995: Just for You Album
In 1995, Gladys Knight's fourth solo album, Just for You, went Gold and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.
1996: Gladys Knight & the Pips Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 1996, Gladys Knight & the Pips were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
1996: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 1996, Gladys Knight & the Pips were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
1997: Gladys Knight Divorced Les Brown
In 1997, Gladys Knight divorced Les Brown.
1997: Gladys Knight Baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
In 1997, Gladys Knight was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
July 10, 1999: Death of Gladys Knight's Son Jimmy Newman III
On July 10, 1999, Gladys Knight's son Jimmy Newman III died from heart failure at age 36.
2000: Grammy Award for At Last
In 2000, Gladys Knight earned her first solo Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Album for her fifth solo album, At Last.
2001: Induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame
In 2001, Gladys Knight & the Pips were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
2001: Gladys Knight Married William McDowell
In 2001, Gladys Knight married William McDowell.
2003: Role in Hollywood Homicide
In 2003, Gladys Knight had a small role in the movie Hollywood Homicide.
April 2004: Divas Live 2004 Co-Headliner
In April 2004, Gladys Knight co-headlined VH1's benefit concert Divas Live 2004 alongside other artists in support of the Save the Music Foundation.
April 2005: Guest Appearance on JAG
In April 2005, Gladys Knight portrayed a singer in an episode of JAG.
2005: Duet with Ray Charles Released
In 2005, a duet between Gladys Knight and Ray Charles of "You Were There" was released on Charles' duets album Genius & Friends.
2007: Gladys Knight Received the Society of Singers ELLA Award
In 2007, Gladys Knight received the Society of Singers ELLA Award and was declared the "Empress of Soul".
2008: 'Divas with Heart' Concert and American Idol Performance
In the spring of 2008, Gladys Knight appeared at the 'Divas with Heart' concert and also performed on American Idol to raise money for charity.
April 2009: Guest Appearance on Tyler Perry's House of Payne
In April 2009, Gladys Knight made a special guest appearance, and performed a song, on Tyler Perry's House of Payne.
October 2009: Farewell Tour of the United Kingdom
In October 2009, Gladys Knight started her farewell tour of the United Kingdom, with Tito Jackson as her supporting act and special appearances by Dionne Warwick.
2009: Michael Jackson Funeral Performance
In 2009, Gladys Knight sang "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" and "The Lord's Prayer" at the funeral service for Michael Jackson.
2009: Featured in I Can Do Bad All by Myself
In 2009, Gladys Knight was featured in Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All by Myself, and performed her song "The Need To Be".
2010: Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Singers
In 2010, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Gladys Knight among the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.
September 2011: Release of "I (Who Have Nothing)"
In September 2011, Gladys Knight released a new, updated recording of Shirley Bassey's 1960s classic "I (Who Have Nothing)" on iTunes and Amazon.
2012: Recurring Role in The First Family
In 2012, Gladys Knight began a recurring role in the syndicated sitcom The First Family.
2012: Dancing with the Stars
In 2012, Gladys Knight competed on season 14 of Dancing with the Stars, partnered with Tristan MacManus.
2013: Recorded "You And I Ain't Nothin' No More"
In 2013, Gladys Knight recorded the Lenny Kravitz-written and -produced song "You And I Ain't Nothin' No More" for the soundtrack from Lee Daniels' motion picture The Butler.
2014: Where My Heart Belongs Album Release and Views on Music Industry
In 2014, Gladys Knight's album Where My Heart Belongs marked her 30th top-40 R&B album. In a 2014 interview, she expressed a hope that women would "Stand Up" and stop selling sex in the music/entertainment industry.
2015: UK Tour
In spite of her "farewell", Knight started touring the UK again a few years later, playing gigs in Scotland and England in 2015.
June 2016: Authorities Raided Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles Restaurants
In June 2016, authorities in Georgia raided two locations and the headquarters of Gladys Knight & Ron Winans' Chicken & Waffles restaurants, owned by her son Shanga Hankerson.
2016: Investigation Involving Gladys Knight's Son's Unpaid Taxes
In 2016, WSB-TV reported that Gladys Knight's son, Shanga Hankerson, was at the center of an investigation involving unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest. The investigation solely involved Hankerson and not Knight.
2016: UK Tour
In spite of her "farewell", Knight started touring the UK again a few years later, playing gigs in Scotland and England in 2016.
2017: Appeared as herself in Star
In 2017, Gladys Knight appeared as herself in the musical-drama TV series Star.
2017: Gladys Knight Helped Raise Money for Children's Learning Centers
In 2017, Gladys Knight helped raise $400,000 for the Children's Learning Centers of Fairfield County.
2017: UK Tour
In spite of her "farewell", Knight started touring the UK again a few years later, playing gigs in Scotland and England in 2017.
November 16, 2018: Gladys Knight Played Ella Grover in Hawaii Five-0
On November 16, 2018, Gladys Knight played Ella Grover, mother of Captain Lou Grover, in the "Lele pū nā manu like" episode of Hawaii Five-0.
2018: Gladys Knight Led the Be One Choir
In 2018, Gladys Knight led the Be One Choir at the "Be One" event in Salt Lake City, Utah.
February 2019: Gladys Knight Competed on The Masked Singer
In February 2019, Gladys Knight was revealed to have competed as "Bee" on the first season of The Masked Singer, finishing third.
2019: Super Bowl LIII National Anthem Performance
In 2019, Gladys Knight sang the national anthem at Super Bowl LIII and faced criticism for performing amidst the Colin Kaepernick controversy.
2019: Delaware State Fair Performance
In 2019, Gladys Knight was invited to play at the 100th Anniversary of Delaware State Fair, located in Harrington, Delaware.
2019: UK Tour
In spite of her "farewell", Knight started touring the UK again a few years later, playing gigs in Scotland and England in 2019.
2021: Gladys Knight Received the National Medal of Arts
In 2021, Gladys Knight received the National Medal of Arts.
2022: Kennedy Center Honors
In 2022, Gladys Knight received Kennedy Center Honors, presented by U.S. President Joe Biden. She also headlined a U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Dinner at the White House.
2022: Gladys Knight Received a Kennedy Center Honor
In 2022, Gladys Knight received a Kennedy Center Honor.
2022: UK Tour
In spite of her "farewell", Knight started touring the UK again a few years later, playing gigs in Scotland and England in 2022.
2023: Gladys Knight Received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2023, Gladys Knight received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
March 2024: Farewell Tour of Australia and New Zealand
In March 2024, a farewell tour of Australia and New Zealand was announced for Gladys Knight.
