Gladys Knight has said she will play fewer live shows as she transitions into “the next stage” of her career and life.
The soul singer, 82, shared a statement on Thursday (August 27), in the midst of renewed concern about footage from some of her recent stage performances.
“After much soul searching I’ve decided that I will be easing into fewer performances while focusing on transitioning into the next stage of my career and life moving forward,” Knight wrote.
“I’ll be spending more time on projects with my husband and visiting with my grandbabies and am looking forward to this new era.”
She went on to thank the fans who have supported her throughout her career, writing: “I’d like to take a moment, in advance, to thank all my fans over this last three quarters of a century for making a little girl’s dream come true and supporting her every step of the way.
“I am immensely grateful to all of you and send my eternal love back to you. I hope to see your smiling faces out and about and on the road. God bless all of you and hope to see you soon.”
Fans have been sharing concern based on footage online from some recent concerts, including her July shows at the Hollywood Bowl with Smokey Robinson.
Clips have appeared to show Knight occasionally missing cues, stepping aside while her backing singers take lead vocals and receiving assistance as she moves around the stage.
TMZ have reported that unnamed sources connected to her tour had raised concerns about her wellbeing, while her husband and manager William McDowell told the outlet that she has “good days and bad”, but maintained that continuing to perform was her own choice.
“No one is ever gonna make me say, ‘My wife is well,’ but all she wants to do is sing,” he said.
McDowell denied that Knight had been diagnosed with dementia but did say she would undergo a medical evaluation in the near future. He added that he was building a performance venue close to their home in North Carolina, which would allow her to continue singing without having to travel extensively.
The concern comes a year after Knight’s son Shanga Hankerson accused McDowell of mentally and financially abusing his mother through what he described as a “detrimental” touring schedule.
“I don’t want my mom out on a tour bus wondering where she’s at,” Hankerson said at the time. He also alleged that Knight had experienced memory problems and said he had filed a complaint with North Carolina’s Department of Human Services.
Knight strongly denied the allegations and said that her health and performances had been “misrepresented”.
“I want my fans and those concerned to rest assured I am doing very well for someone who has been on stage for three quarters of a century,” she said. “I’m healthy and happy and visiting friends and family.”
Her publicist also described Hankerson’s allegations as “unfounded” and claimed he had maintained “no substantial contact” with his mother. Knight’s representatives said they were considering legal action over his comments.
Known as the ‘Empress Of Soul’, Knight has won seven Grammy Awards across her solo career and her work with The Pips. Her best-known songs include ‘Midnight Train To Georgia’, ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’, ‘Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)’ and the James Bond theme ‘Licence To Kill’.
She received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024, having been recognised with the Kennedy Center Honors two years earlier.
