This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(November 2023) |
Jean Audrey Knight(néeCaliste;January 26, 1943 – November 22, 2023) was an AmericanR&BandsoulsingerfromNew Orleans,Louisiana. Launching her professional career in the mid-1960s, Knight was best known for her 1971hit single"Mr. Big Stuff",released byStax Records.[1]
Jean Knight | |
|---|---|
 Knight in 1971 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jean Audrey Caliste |
| Born | January 26, 1943 New Orleans,Louisiana,U.S. |
| Died | November 22, 2023(aged 80) Tampa, Florida,U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1965–2023 |
| Labels | |
| Website | 1jeanknight |
Biography
editEarly years
editJean Audrey Caliste was born inNew Orleans, Louisiana,on January 26, 1943.[2][3][4][5][6]After graduating fromhigh school,she began singing at Laura's Place, her cousin's bar, and caught the attention of many differentbandswho were willing to accompany her. In 1965, sherecordedademoof acover versionofJackie Wilson's song "Stop Doggin' Me Around".[citation needed]Her demo attracted record producerHuey Meaux,who signed her to a recording contract at the Jet Star/Tribe record labels.[6]Shortly thereafter, she adopted the professional name of "Jean Knight", because she felt that her surname Caliste was too hard to pronounce. Knight recorded foursingles,making a name for herself locally, but was not able to attract any national attention. By the late 1960s, it was obvious that Knight's career was not living up to her high expectations, so she went to work as a baker in thecafeteriaofSt. Mary's Dominican Collegein New Orleans. She had been raised aCatholic.[7]
Success at Stax
editIn early 1970, Knight was discovered by songwriter Ralph Williams, who wanted her to record some songs. With Williams' connections, Knight came in contact with record producerWardell Quezergue.In May of that year, Knight went toMalaco StudiosinJackson,Mississippi,for a recording session during which she recorded "Mr. Big Stuff." After the session was finished, the song was shopped to producers at several national labels, all of whom rejected it. But whenKing Floyd's hit "Groove Me" (also recorded at Malaco Studios) became aNo. 1R&Bhitin early 1971, a producer atStax Recordsremembered Knight's recording of "Mr. Big Stuff", and released it.[6]The song also proved to be an instant smash in 1971, reaching No. 2 on thepopchartand becoming a No. 1 R&B hit.[6]It wentdouble-platinumand received aGrammynomination forBest R&B Vocal Performance, Female;it lost toAretha Franklin's version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water".It sold over two million copies and was awarded agold discby theR.I.A.A.[8]Knight performed the hit song onSoul Train.[9]An album of the same name proved to be fairly successful.[1]A couple more minor hits followed,[1]but disagreements with her producer and her label terminated Knight's involvement with Stax.[citation needed]
Later years
editAfter leaving Stax, Knight recorded songs for various small labels, but was not able to gain any more recognition,[6]and ended up performing and touring the localoldiecircuit. Things changed in 1981, when Knight met local producer Isaac Bolden, who signed her to his Soulin' label. Together, they came up with a song entitled "You Got the Papers but I Got the Man", ananswer songtoRichard "Dimples" Fields' record, "She's Got Papers On Me"; that song was leased toAtlantic Recordsfor national release.[6]Soon, Knight found herself touring consistently. In 1985, Knight gained more recognition when she coveredRockin' Sidney'szydeconoveltyhit, "My Toot Toot",[6]and found herself in a chart battle withDenise LaSalle's version. While LaSalle's version reached the top ten in the United Kingdom, Knight's version was the more successful in the U.S., reaching No. 50 on thepopchart.[10]Knight was then given a chance to perform it on the TVvariety showSolid Gold.The song also became Knight's only hit in South Africa, reaching No. 3.[11]
Although Knight waited twelve years to come out with another recording, she continued touring and performing engagements all over the world, particularly in theSouthern states.In 2003, Knight performedher biggest hit, "Mr. Big Stuff"[citation needed],on thePBSspecialSoul Comes Home.Knight continued to tour and make live performances, often with such artists asGloria Gaynor.In October 2007, theLouisiana Music Hall of Famehonored Knight for her contributions to Louisiana music by inducting her.[citation needed]Knight's song "Do Me" appeared on the 2007Superbadsoundtrack.
Personal life and death
editKnight was married at least twice and had at least one child.[12]Knight married Thomas Commedore and together they had a son.[12]In the early 1970s, she was married to New OrleanslongshoremanEarl Harris.[12]
Knight died at a hospital inTampa, Florida,on November 22, 2023, at the age of 80.[2][13][14][15]Issuing a statement on her death her family said: "Beyond touring, recording studios, Ms. Knight loved cooking deliciousCreole dishesfor family and friends, celebratedMardi Graswith several local krewes, and proudly served on the Louisiana Music Commission. "[16]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Year | Album | Peak chart positions | Record label | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [10] |
US R&B [10] | ||||
| 1971 | Mr. Big Stuff | 60 | 8 | Stax | |
| 1981 | Keep It Comin(with Premium) | ― | ― | Cotillion Records | |
| 1985 | My Toot Toot[6] | 181 | ― | Mirage | |
| 1997 | Shaki de Boo-Tee | ― | ― | Ichiban Records | |
| 1999 | Queen | ― | ― | ComStar | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | |||||
Compilation albums
edit- 1997:The Very Best of Me
Singles
edit| Year | Single | Chart positions | Album | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 [10] |
US R&B [10] |
AUS [17] |
South Africa [11] | |||||
| 1964 | "The Man That Left Me" "Doggin Around" |
— | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
| "Lonesome Tonight" "Love" |
— | — | — | — | ||||
| 1965 | "T'ain't It the Truth" "I'm Glad for Your Sake" |
— | — | — | — | |||
| "Anyone Can Love Him" "A Tear" |
— | — | — | — | ||||
| 1971 | "Mr. Big Stuff" "Anyone Can Keep Living These Memories" |
2 | 1 | — | — | Mr. Big Stuff | ||
| "You Think You're Hot Stuff" "Don't Talk About Jody" |
57 | 19 | — | — | Mr. Big Stuff (included on the album as a bonus track after the album's re-release) | |||
| 1972 | "Carry On" "Call Me Your Fool (If You Want To)" |
— | 44 | — | — | |||
| "Helping Man" "Pick Up the Pieces" |
— | — | — | — | ||||
| "Do Me" "Save the Last Kiss for Me" |
— | — | — | — | ||||
| 1973 | "Jesse Joe (You Got to Go)" "Dirt" |
— | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
| 1975 | "Don't Ask for 24 Hours" "Hold Back the Night" |
— | — | — | — | |||
| "Jesse James Is an Outlaw" "Hold Back the Night" |
— | — | — | — | ||||
| 1976 | "What One Man Won't Do Another Man Will" "Rudy Blue" |
— | — | — | — | |||
| 1981 | "Anything You Can Do (I Can Do As Well As You)" "Gossip" |
— | — | — | — | Keep It Comin' | ||
| "You Got the Papers but I Got the Man" "Anything You Can Do (I Can Do as Well as You)" (as Jean Knight & Premium) |
— | — | — | — | ||||
| 1983 | "La De De - La De Da"(Vocal) "La De De - La De Da" (Instrumental, Sing-A-Long Track) |
— | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| 1985 | "My Toot Toot" "My Heart Is Willing (and My Body Is Too)" |
50 | 59 | 62 | 3 | My Toot Toot | ||
| "Let the Good Times Roll" "Magic" |
— | — | — | — | ||||
| 1990 | "Mama's Baby"(Rap) "Mama's Baby" (Instrumental) |
— | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| 1997 | "Bill" "Bus Stop" |
— | — | — | — | Shaki De Boo-Tee | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | ||||||||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abcHuey, Steve."Biography: Jean Knight".AllMusic.RetrievedJuly 26,2010.
- ^abSandomir, Richard (November 28, 2023)."Jean Knight, Who Struck Platinum With 'Mr. Big Stuff,' Dies at 80".The New York Times.RetrievedNovember 29,2023.
- ^"Biography: The Official Jean Knight Website".RetrievedSeptember 26,2021.
- ^Eagle, Bob L.; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013).Blues: A Regional Experience.Abc-Clio. p. 183.ISBN9780313344244.
- ^Jancik, Wayne (1998).The Billboard Book of One-hit Wonders.Billboard Books. p. 302.ISBN9780823076222.
- ^abcdefghColin Larkin,ed. (1993).The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music(First ed.).Guinness Publishing.p. 153.ISBN0-85112-733-9.
- ^Higgins, Chester (August 12, 1971)."Jean Knight: New 'Big Stuff' of Show Biz".Jet.Johnson Publishing Company. p. 59.
- ^Murrells, Joseph (1978).The Book of Golden Discs(2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p.296.ISBN0-214-20512-6.
- ^"Soul Train - Season 1, Episode 11: Jean Knight/ The Delfonics/ Maurice Jackson/ Ralphi Pagan".TV.com. December 11, 1971. Archived fromthe originalon April 22, 2019.RetrievedAugust 13,2015.
- ^abcde"Jean Knight - Awards".AllMusic.Archived fromthe originalon March 13, 2016.RetrievedApril 7,2022.
- ^abBrian Currin (May 25, 2003)."South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Acts (K)".Rock.co.za.RetrievedAugust 13,2015.
- ^abcHiggins, Chester (August 12, 1971)."Jean Knight: New 'Big Stuff' of Show Biz".Jet.Vol. 40, no. 20. Johnson Publishing Company. pp. 56–59.ISSN0021-5996.
- ^"Jean Knight 'Mr. Big Stuff' Singer Dead at 80".TMZ.November 26, 2023.RetrievedNovember 27,2023.
- ^Legaspi, Althea (November 27, 2023)."Jean Knight, 'Mr. Big Stuff' Singer, Dead at 80".Rolling Stone.RetrievedNovember 27,2023.
- ^Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (November 27, 2023)."Jean Knight, soul and funk singer who had hit with Mr Big Stuff, dies aged 80".The Guardian.RetrievedNovember 27,2023.
- ^Walcott, Escher (November 27, 2023)."Jean Knight, Legendary 'Mr. Big Stuff' Singer, Dead at 80".People.RetrievedNovember 27,2023.
- ^Kent, David(1993).Australian Chart Book 1970–1992(illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 169.ISBN0-646-11917-6.
External links
edit- Jean Knightdiscography atDiscogs
- Jean KnightatIMDb
- Jean Knight Online
