Gladys Knight

Gladys Maria Knight, known as the 'Empress of Soul', is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. Born on May 28, 1944, Knight rose to fame as the lead singer of Gladys Knight & the Pips, a family group that achieved numerous hits from the 1960s to the 1980s. She recorded two number-one Billboard Hot 100 singles, including 'Midnight Train to Georgia' and 'That's What Friends Are For,' the latter with Dionne Warwick, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder. Knight has won a total of seven Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Her songs 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine' and 'Midnight Train to Georgia' are recognized for their historical and artistic significance.