Gladys Knight – 1944

Gladys Knight began her career investments with her siblings at eight, forming the Pips, which opened for R&B legends in the 1950s. They then moved to Motown and eventually into pop music. They recorded Midnight Train to Georgia, their hallmark song. Knight departed the Pips in 1989 and performed and recorded as a solo artist. Knight is now affectionately referred to as the “Empress of Soul.”

She continued to travel and record throughout the 1990s, creating the famous Just For You album in 1994 and receiving accolades for her constantly powerful vocals and hardworking performance approach. She had a recurring part in the New York Undercover and starred in JAG and Living Single. Knight also appeared in I Can Do Bad All By Myself.