She Got Soul: Gladys Knight
Gladys Knight to perform at the 2013 Soul Train Awards.
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Gladys Knight & the Pips - The iconic soul singer began her career in 1966 as the lead (and only female) vocalist of Motown Records' singing group Gladys Knight and the Pips.
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Hall of Famers - Over the span of their recording career, the revered singing group earned seven Grammy awards, the Soul Train Heritage Award ('88) and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ('96) and The Vocal Group Hall of Fame ('01).
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Silver Screen Star - In 1976, the soulful siren made her acting debut in Hollywood film Pipe Dreams. Though the romantic drama failed at the box office, the role earned the talented star a Golden Globe nomination for Best New Actress.
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"That's What Friends Are For" - While still with The Pips, Gladys joined Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder and Elton John for the 1986 AIDS benefit single "That's What Friends Are For." The record was a triple No. 1 mega-hit and earned the group a Grammy win for Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocal.
Photo By Photo by David Redfern/Redferns
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Going Solo - After over 10 years of performing with the Pips, Knight released her first solo effort, Miss Gladys Knight (1978).
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Topping the Charts - In 1979, Knight released her second solo effort, Gladys Knight, under Columbia Records. The record debuted in the top 100 of Billboard's Top R&B Albums.
Photo By Photo: Columbia Records
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Homecoming - In 1987, Gladys Knight & the Pips recorded their final LP, All Our Love. Its lead single, “Love Overboard,” earned the group their third Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal. Two years later, the revered quartet was honored by their home state with an induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
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Number Three - In 1991, Gladys Knight released her third and most successful abum to date, Good Woman. The record hit No. 1 on the Billboard R&B Album chart and also featured the equally successful single "Men." Babyface, Dionne Warwick and Patti LaBelle were all featured collaborators on the effort as well.
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On-Screen Legacy - Throughout her illustrious career, Knight also starred in feature roles on some of television's most classic TV shows, including The Jeffersons, A Different World and New York Undercover. In 2009, she starred in the Tyler Perry film, I Can Do Bad All by Myself.
Photo By Photo: Tyler Perry Company
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A Hollywood Star - In 1995, for her decades worth of achievements and longevity in the entertainment industry, Gladys was honored with a highly-coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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