The Gladys Knight Era

There's none like the "Empress of Soul."

Our Empress - The Empress of Soul never fails to amaze us. With every note, she causes our senses to ignite. We can't help but to be in awe as she takes on multiple journeys within one track.  (Photo: REUTERS /STEPHEN CHERNIN /LANDOV)

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Our Empress - The Empress of Soul never fails to amaze us. With every note, she causes our senses to ignite. We can't help but to be in awe as she takes on multiple journeys within one track.  (Photo: REUTERS /STEPHEN CHERNIN /LANDOV)

The Story Begins - Hailing from Georgia, Gladys began singing with her siblings at the age of 8. This started an era of beautiful soul music that we still listen to today. (Photo: Ian Tyas/Keystone/Getty Images)

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The Story Begins - Hailing from Georgia, Gladys began singing with her siblings at the age of 8. This started an era of beautiful soul music that we still listen to today. (Photo: Ian Tyas/Keystone/Getty Images)

A Knight to Remember - If it wasn't enough, Gladys Knight came through to show love by covering "Anyone Who Had a Heart." Judging by how she sounded, she certainly has a big one with a special place for Ms. Warwick. (Photo: Ethan Miller/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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The Start of the Musical Journey - In 1966, Gladys Knight and the Pips joined the Motown roster and started something spectacular, including recording hits like "I Heard It Through the Grapevine."    (Photo: Ethan Miller/BET/Getty Images for BET)

The Brighter Side of History - Although there was a war and civil rights protests happening, Gladys Knight and the Pips added so much light to soul music while performing on The Ed Sullivan Show. (Photo: CBS /Landov)

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The Brighter Side of History - Although there was a war and civil rights protests happening, Gladys Knight and the Pips added so much light to soul music while performing on The Ed Sullivan Show. (Photo: CBS /Landov)

Changed the Game Forever - This album changed music in such a soulful way. As the soundtrack to one of the most moving films of the '70s, Claudine gave us such classic hits as "To Be Invisible" and "The Makings of You."(Photo: Buddah)

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Changed the Game Forever - This album changed music in such a soulful way. As the soundtrack to one of the most moving films of the '70s, Claudine gave us such classic hits as "To Be Invisible" and "The Makings of You."(Photo: Buddah)

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Eras in Harmony - Representing two eras of soul and R&B music, Gladys handed Patti LaBelle a Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2011 BET Awards. No #PattiPies were involved, but there was (as expected) some sweet-as-pie singing.  (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Eras in Harmony - Representing two eras of soul and R&B music, Gladys handed Patti LaBelle a Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2011 BET Awards. No #PattiPies were involved, but there was (as expected) some sweet-as-pie singing.  (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Passing the Torch - During the fifth season of American Idol, contestant Paris Bennett's sound was constantly compared to the vocal great. Paris even sang her own killer rendition of "Midnight Train to Georgia." (Photos from left: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images, Cory Ryan/Getty Images for Live Earth Events)

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Passing the Torch - During the fifth season of American Idol, contestant Paris Bennett's sound was constantly compared to the vocal great. Paris even sang her own killer rendition of "Midnight Train to Georgia." (Photos from left: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images, Cory Ryan/Getty Images for Live Earth Events)

The Hard Part - Gladys broke into a whole new stage in her career in 1988 when she decided to say goodbye to the Pips. The last song she and the Pips recorded together was "Love Overboard," which was a No. 1 R&B hit and won the act a Grammy.  (Photo: Soul Records / Motown)

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The Hard Part - Gladys broke into a whole new stage in her career in 1988 when she decided to say goodbye to the Pips. The last song she and the Pips recorded together was "Love Overboard," which was a No. 1 R&B hit and won the act a Grammy.  (Photo: Soul Records / Motown)

It Ain't Over - Mixing her soulful style with a banging hip hop-ish beat, Gladys is still captivating audiences with her most recent single "Just a Little." Go on, girl! (Photo: Humble Dreamz Music Group / WCMC)

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It Ain't Over - Mixing her soulful style with a banging hip hop-ish beat, Gladys is still captivating audiences with her most recent single "Just a Little." Go on, girl! (Photo: Humble Dreamz Music Group / WCMC)

Feel the Soul - Don't miss Gladys bringing us all the way through with her vocal stylings at the Celebration of Gospel this winter.  (Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for VH1)

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Feel the Soul - Don't miss Gladys bringing us all the way through with her vocal stylings at the Celebration of Gospel this winter.  (Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for VH1)

Photo By Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for VH1