Current:Home > MyJean Knight, Grammy-nominated singer of 'Mr. Big Stuff,' dies at 80: 'Iconic soulstress'-LoTradeCoin
Jean Knight, Grammy-nominated singer of 'Mr. Big Stuff,' dies at 80: 'Iconic soulstress'
View Date:2024-12-23 23:57:29
Jean Knight, the R&B and funk singer behind the 1971 hit "Mr. Big Stuff," has died. She was 80.
"New Orleans and the music world mourns the loss of one its most treasure musical daughters, Jean Knight," her family said in a statement to USA TODAY shared via the Stax Museum of American Soul Music on Sunday. Knight died Wednesday, her family confirmed.
Knight, born Jean Caliste, released her first song, a cover of Jackie Wilson's song "Stop Doggin' Me Around" in 1965. Her success climbed in 1971 with the release of "Mr. Big Stuff," which landed her a deal with Stax Records.
"'Mr. Big Stuff,' which became famous for the infectious refrain, 'Who do you think you are?', wasn't just a chart-topping anthem; it was the product of soulful, syncopated melodies that echoed through the Crescent City," Knight's family wrote in the tribute.
The hit sold over one million copies and earned her a Grammy Award nomination in 1972 for best female R&B vocal performance alongside Diana Ross, Janis Joplin, Freda Payne and the category winner Aretha Franklin.
Remembering those we lost: Celebrity Deaths 2023
Knight's family praised her connection to her fans, writing, "Her concerts were not just performances but celebrations of the enduring bond she shared with those who appreciated her music. Whether in the intimate venues of the French Quarter or on the grand stages of global music festivals, Ms. Knight made every fan a cherished part of her extended musical family.
"Jean Knight’s legacy is not just a musical one; it is a testament to the enduring love between an artist, her hometown, and the fans who adored her," the family concluded. "As we bid farewell to this iconic soulstress, New Orleans and her global fan base join together in gratitude for the indelible mark she left on the world."
veryGood! (9184)
Related
- Mississippi Valley State football player Ryan Quinney dies in car accident
- Without handshakes, Ukrainian players trying to keep message alive at Australian Open
- African leaders criticize Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and call for an immediate cease-fire
- UFC's Sean Strickland made a vile anti-LGBTQ attack. ESPN's response is disgracefully weak
- Maryland man wanted after 'extensive collection' of 3D-printed ghost guns found at his home
- Rent or buy a house? The gap is narrowing for affordability in the US
- Pakistan seeks to de-escalate crisis with Iran after deadly airstrikes that spiked tensions
- Kraft Singles introduces 3 new cheese flavors after 10 years
- Subway rider who helped restrain man in NYC chokehold death says he wanted ex-Marine to ‘let go’
- Christina Applegate's Ex Johnathon Schaech Comments on Her “Toughness” After Emmy Awards Moment
Ranking
- Why California takes weeks to count votes, while states like Florida are faster
- Kansas court upholds a man’s death sentence, ruling he wasn’t clear about wanting to remain silent
- 10 people dead after a landslide buries a house in the southern Philippines, officials say
- El Paso Challenges Oil Refinery Permit
- 'Wanted' posters plastered around University of Rochester target Jewish faculty members
- Argylle's Bryce Dallas Howard Weighs in on Movie's Taylor Swift Conspiracy Theory
- Fans sue Madonna, Live Nation over New York concert starting 2 hours late
- Tens of thousands pack into a protest in Hamburg against Germany’s far right
Recommendation
-
Bo the police K-9, who located child taken at knifepoint, wins Hero Dog Awards 2024
-
Historic Methodist rift is part of larger Christian split over LGBTQ issues
-
Uvalde families renew demands for police to face charges after a scathing Justice Department report
-
Mexican marines detain alleged leader of Gulf drug cartel, the gang that kidnapped, killed Americans
-
Beyoncé's Grammy nominations in country categories aren't the first to blur genre lines
-
House committee seeks answers from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on hospitalization
-
Subway adds 3 new foot-long items to its menu. Hint: None of them are sandwiches
-
Charcuterie sold at Costco and Sam's Club is being linked to a salmonella outbreak