GLADYS KNIGHT

American singer-songwriter Gladys Knight made her solo debut at the young age of 4, singing at a church based in Atlanta, Georgia. At the age of 8, she joined the musical group called The Pips. The group went on to open for R&B greats like Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke and crossed over to pop music after signing with Buddah Records in 1973. By the mid-1970s, the group landed prominence and even hosted their own TV special.

Knight launched a successful solo career in the late 1980s and recorded the track for the James Bond movie Licence to Kill, along with guest stars Patti Labelle and Dionne Warwick. Throughout her career, the singer has garnered 7 Grammys with 22 nominations altogether. She also received an honorary degree in performing arts from Shaw University. In addition, the veteran singer was ranked by Rolling Stone in its list of “100 Greatest Singers of All Time.”