Gladys Knight

Gladys Knight & the Pips began as a neo doo-wop group in the early 1960s, then moved to Motown, where Knight's gospel-influenced vocals were initially deemed a little too raw for Berry Gordy's hit-machine assembly line. In 1967 they scored a hit with the original version of "I Heard it through the Grapevine", but it was soon eclipsed by Marvin Gaye's recording. However, the group eventually penetrated the pop mainstream (with the help of their own TV show) in the '70s, with huge hits including "Midnight Train to Georgia", and "The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me". The group earned a Grammy as late as 1989, but split shortly thereafter, with Knight pursuing the inevitable solo career.

• pop
• r&b/soul
• 1970s
• 1980s
• 2000s