Product Description

This immensely inspiring autobiography tells the whole, true story of Gladys Knight, a four-time Grammy winner, whose life has been rich in music, faith, love, and immense hardships. of photos.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #932899 in Books
• Published on: 1997-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 280 pages

From Kirkus Reviews
Knight, of pop's Pips, offers an event-packed autobiography--from child gospel sensation through '70s superstardom to Vegas divahood--earnestly but with little verve. First achieving national attention at age eight, in 1952, on Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour, the Atlanta- born Knight was very soon thereafter singing on the ``Chitlin' Circuit'' of black nightclubs with an early incarnation of the Pips (all siblings and cousins). The Pips toured throughout the '50s with the likes of Jackie Wilson and Joe Tex, recording only briefly and unsuccessfully. Knight's first marriage, to her high-school sweetheart, collapsed because of his drug use; her father descended into mental illness and left the family. She indicates that by 1963 the Pips were big enough to have performers at the White House, but it wasn't until the mid-'60s that they signed with Motown, finally breaking through in 1967 with ``I Heard It Through the Grapevine.'' Knight is good on the subject of Motown's feudal business practices: Second-tier groups like the Pips would seldom get a crack at the in-house songwriters' best songs, and naive performers accepted company ``gifts'' that in fact were advances against royalties, keeping the artists in debt (and thus servitude) to Motown. Only on leaving Motown did the Pips achieve top stardom with a succession of hits. On the crises in her life--including a gambling addiction and two more failed marriages, most recently to the motivational speaker Les Brown--Knight is so intent on gleaning lessons that she usually fails to render the experiences themselves particularly vividly. Anecdotes of racism and (other people's) high jinks on the road are similarly lifeless. Perhaps more tellingly than she intends, Knight notes of the world of show business: ``I have seen it all, to be sure, but rarely participated in it.'' This distance comes through clearly in her memoir. (32 pages b&w photos, not seen) (Author tour) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

The Makings of a Soul Diva
Oh, just picked up the paperback to seeing her on an old 'Jeffersons' rerun (remember that). Loved this book! Gladys has always been a favorite of mine- that rich, flawless delivery underlined with down to earth truth and conviction- she is among the leading voices that brought soul music to the mainstream America in the 1960's.
I was mist intrigued by her honesty throughout the book, especially in speaking of her parenting of her children. I commended her for that. Her gambling addiction was another testament of how she overcame adversity and came out a winner, which was another source of inspiration for myself. I also really appreciated her honesty in relation to her tenure with Motown and the treatment they received while on the legendary label.
And then there was the dirt! What is the deal between she and Aretha? I always perceived that they would be good friends, especially since both encompass such mesmarizing, soulful voices.... I love Dionne, and I could not see her acting the way Patti portrayed her.
This is a inspirational, well written piece of work. I would recommend this purchase and much love and success to Ms. Knight for decades to come.

I enjoyed this very candid and inspirational book.
Gladys Knight did an exceptional job of revealing her life of pain and glory. She had me bumping into walls as I left work each day because I couldn't wait to get home to continue reading. I know that she is a gifted performer, but I now know that she is a gifted writer as well. This is a must read.

SNOOOOOOOOOZE...Wake Me, Shake Me When It's Over
Of a certainty, Gladys Knight is one of the top r&b vocalists of hers or any time. The girl can sing. Of all of her contemporaries Gladys still sounds the best. She out sings, Aretha, is more consistent than Patti, her career is more on track than Diana's, more lucid and controlled than Chaka and is still singing in the same keys, unlike Dionne Warwick. Today is her day. She has a great show in Vegas.

Gladys Knight's account of her life reads as a cleaned up version of the truth. She glosses over the gambling addiction in her life and never explains the truly difficult marriage she must have had with Barry Hankerson. I want to know why her son was sooo fat at such an early age. What emotional need or demon was not being fed? Ms. Knight's discretion due to concern about her children rings false. The ladies she dissed all have children. Cut the comedy, please.

Gladys threw in the obligatory gossipy tales about Aretha, Diana and a slight dis to Patti; old and tired tactics to sell a book. Do yourself a favor and find this sleeping pill in the library and look up the comments about other female artists and leave the book there.

Jealousy is an ugly thing. It was ugly when Miss Ross had Gladys and the Pips removed from a tour and it is just as ugly years later when she refers to Diana as "Miss Cute". Gladys was an innocent country church girl who got kinda gaught up in the whole show biz thang.....Suuuure, honey. We all believe you.

Motown was the best thing that ever happened to Gladys and her group. Motown gave them a number 2 hit and many other chances at success. The second class treatment is a allegation made by all but the Temptations and the Supremes. Everyone else drowned in the wave that was Diana Ross. Oh, I'm so bored with this old song! Add Gladys' name to the long list of Motown ladies who blame one woman for their inability to be everything she became.
Move over Mary, Martha, and so many others to make room for Gladys. It was her group's sucess at Motown that gave them the platform to go to Buddah and eventually shine as they did. It was just a matter of time. Didn't Gladys learn in Sunday School that everything has a season? When Gladys and her family group arrived at Motown she had uneven teeth that pushed her lip out on one side and a eye that wandered. Old pictures don't lie. Some good Motown money helped her get it together in the looks department. She should thank Motown. She refused to participate in the Motown 25. Motown helped make you a household name. From the chitlin' circuit to "good clubs" and television on the heels of "Miss Cute" and others at Motown. Shut up.

Let's tell the truth, shall we? Everyone in the "Business of Show" has enormous egos or they wouldn't be there. Some people have folk in their lives who keep them grounded more than some others. Most have internal barometers that help keep their souls in check. I have a hard time believing that any of these divas are as unassuming and humble as they want their fans to believe.

For stories that come across as more authentic read; Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner or Darlene Love and a few others who paint a more balanced and honest picture of themselves.

Trivia Question: Gladys Knight made a movie in the 70's in which she was the featured actress. What was the name of it? Find out and view it then tell me if you think Berry Gordy's inordinate attention to the level one stars that ruined Gladys' chance at greater success.