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| Gladys Knight & The Pips (Bubba Knight) (William Guest) (Edward Patten) |
| Atlanta native Gladys Knight's rise to fame with her brother and cousins is well documented. From their early Motown success to their much publicized flight to Buddah Records. It's no disputing that by the time of the disco era she had attained diva status and the group were considered soul icons. This page serves to document their contributions to the disco era both as a group and as solo acts. Gladys (born March 28, 1944) decided to pursue a solo career in 1977. Her label Buddah records agreed that after scoring several pop hits they could divide the group and have two successful acts. Gladys, ever the musical chameleon, chose to pursue her solo career by starting off with a disco number. The 1977 12" single of "Love Is Always On Your Mind" did well in the clubs and the same titled album sold moderately. The cousins did better on the emerging disco scene with their Buddah 12" single that year. Patten & Guest Steppers released "Put On Your Dancing Bells" and for a brief moment it looked like they might have a more succesful career that Gladys. But the following year Gladys pulled through with her 1978 club smash "It's A Better Than Good Time." Most clubgoers only recognize the commercial 12" version. But Buddah records released a far superior remix that was/is extremely rare. The most easily attainable version was DSC-126, the rarer version bears the matrix number DSC-130. Either version is enjoyable and both put Gladys atop the disco charts. The ailing Buddah records couldn't properly promote Knight or The Pips and trouble began brewing both within the group and with the label. Lawsuits began flying against the label and each other and for awhile it seems there was bad blood between family members. Gladys bailed on Buddah and moved to the major label Columbia Records in 1979. A few releases, mainly of previously recorded material and discarded tracks, satisfied the lawsuit with Buddah. And apparently blood is thicker than vinyl for the family reunited both in and out of the studio. With her new label she once again pursued the disco market. Her first release was the 12" single of "You Bring Out The Best In Me." The song was good but hopelessly out of sync with 1979's top club hits, had the song been released a year or two earlier it would have done much better. With family matters patched up The Pips reunited with Gladys in 1980 on Columbia records. The reunion would start a string of club smashes for them that would rival their string of early 1970's pop hits. The first 12" single was an out of the box hit. "Taste Of Bitter Love" was perfect for the time, high energy disco had died and club music was moving towards a downbeat R&B feel. The following year they scored another smash with 1981's 12" single of "I Will Fight," a shuffle beat masterpiece that hit both the clubs and radio with full force. They had one final 12" single in 1983 for Columbia. "Save The Overtime For Me" was once again a radio hit and it turned a whole new generation on to the magic of Gladys and The Pips. The act took a four year hiatus from recording. After over twenty years of record making, touring and being in the spotlight it was time to relax, regroup and rethink their direction. In 1985 Gladys lent her powerful pipes to the mega-smash "That's What Friends Are For" alongside Dionne Warwick, Elton John and Stevie Wonder. Giving her her first number one hit in several years. The group then resurfaced on yet another new label in 1987. MCA records became their new, and last home on vinyl. They started their tenure at MCA with a bang. The first 12" single was "Lovin' On Next To Nothing" which was quickly followed by "Love Overboard." Both songs became instant hits and it appeared as if they had not missed a single step during their four year break. In 1988 they released the last two 12" singles they would record as a group. "Send It To Me" and "It's Gonna Take All Our Love" just didn't click. Not that the songs were bad or that their performances weren't good it's just that once again they were out of sync with what was really happening on the charts. At this point the Pips threw in the towel and decided to retire once and for all from show business. Of course they would reunite for special occassions, like their 1996 induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and the rare television spot but the men were ready to move on to other endeavors. Gladys on the other hand continued on at MCA. She released three 12" singles for the label in 1991. First up was "Superwoman" which featured Patti LaBelle and Dionne Warwick sharing vocals with Gladys. She then released two forgotten numbers "Meet Me In The Middle" and "Men." Her next album was 1994's "Just For You" which connected Knight with top notch producers like George Duke, Jam & Lewis and Babyface. The results were stunning, giving her the best album of her later career. Her last release would be 2000's "At Last" which contained a pleasant blend of old cover versions and brand new hip-hopish songs. For the last several years Knight has been a Las Vegas fixture appearing in her one woman show at The Flamingo Hotel. The show has an open ended run and showcases her brillant vocals as well as her stunning stage presence. She performs five nights a week to delighted fans. I caught her act when I was there in 2002 and it was phenomenal. My hats off to one of America's most beloved treasures and enduring divas. |
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