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. 

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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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).

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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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. 

"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. 

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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

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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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.

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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

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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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.  

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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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. 

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. 

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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

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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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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A Lifetime of Success  - In 2011, the undisputed empress of soul, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from Soul Train — a recognition reserved for those with outstanding impact in music and entertainment. 

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A Lifetime of Success  - In 2011, the undisputed empress of soul, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from Soul Train — a recognition reserved for those with outstanding impact in music and entertainment. 

Small Screen Star - By 2012, Gladys joined the hilarious ensemble cast of Byron Allen's comedy sitcomThe First Family — airing weekly on Centric. 

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Small Screen Star - By 2012, Gladys joined the hilarious ensemble cast of Byron Allen's comedy sitcomThe First Family — airing weekly on Centric. 

Blues, Soul and Gospel - Though Knight began her carreer producing and singing R&B and soul, the iconic singer also tried her hand in gospel music. "Heaven Help Us," her 2004 collaboration with fellow soul artist Ray Charles, earned both singers a Grammy win for Best Gospel Performance.

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Blues, Soul and Gospel - Though Knight began her carreer producing and singing R&B and soul, the iconic singer also tried her hand in gospel music. "Heaven Help Us," her 2004 collaboration with fellow soul artist Ray Charles, earned both singers a Grammy win for Best Gospel Performance.

Soul Train Music Awards 2013 - The iconic singer, along with Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Eric Benét and more, will appear at the 2013 Soul Train Music Awards in Las Vegas. The annual celebration airs December 1 at 8P/7C. 

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Soul Train Music Awards 2013 - The iconic singer, along with Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Eric Benét and more, will appear at the 2013 Soul Train Music Awards in Las Vegas. The annual celebration airs December 1 at 8P/7C.