Gladys Maria Knight turned 75 today.
Born in Atlanta on May 28, 1944, Knight made her solo debut at the ripe old age of 4, singing at the Mount Mariah Baptist Church. She started singing with her siblings at age 8, calling themselves the Pips. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Knight posted a beautiful photo of herself on Twitter, thanking her fans for all their well-wishes throughout the day.
Mood all day! I’m so very grateful and happy to see another birthday! THANK YOU to everyone for the calls, texts, comments, posts, etc. I can feel your love and energy today! ❤️ #Gemini pic.twitter.com/3Fv9jGklDR
— Gladys Knight (@MsGladysKnight) May 28, 2019
This has been an incredible year for Knight. In addition to turning 75, she sang the national anthem at Atlanta's Super Bowl in early February, and later that month appeared on the hit Fox show "The Masked Singer." Knight, dressed as the Bee, finished third in the singing competition. All the judges had figured out it was her, AJC columnist Rodney Ho wrote, but it was still an emotional moment when she took off the mask. Host Nick Cannon said she was the first famous entertainer he met and she gave him encouragement.
» Atlanta native Gladys Knight is having a great 2019. Here's why.
» Super Bowl 53: Gladys Knight, Chloe x Halle flawless in game performances
Knight wasn’t the only one to mark her milestone on Twitter. Fans posted tributes to the Empress of Soul throughout the day.
Today marks the 75th birthday of one of the greatest singers of all time. See our birthday tribute, with great career moments, of GLADYS KNIGHT! https://t.co/DqApujuR7I
— Cassie J. Fox (@CassieJFox) May 28, 2019
I heard it through the grapevine ... #GladysKnight is having a birthday 💋❤️ https://t.co/V2icCpEsgm
— Mark (@markdante1) May 28, 2019
Happy Birthday, Queen Gladys Knight! pic.twitter.com/42Phf5K3x6
— Born King (@The99king) May 28, 2019
#AARPCelebrates: Join us in wishing the Empress of Soul, aka, Ms. Gladys Knight, a happy birthday! What Gladys tune brings you the most joyful memories? Let us know in the comments! pic.twitter.com/HQSbMk2lLa
— AARP Black Community (@AARPBlackCom) May 28, 2019
@MsGladysKnight Happy birthday! xxxxxx
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) May 28, 2019
You only saw three Pips at a time, but I like to imagine that Gladys Knight had thousands of Pips at her disposal. A secret army. An army of Pips.
— George Wallace (@MrGeorgeWallace) May 26, 2019
Happy 75th birthday to the fabulous Gladys Knight! pic.twitter.com/hn7FHfaCAK
— Karen (@TheDarkPages) May 28, 2019
The great music artists endure and seven-time #Grammy award winner 'Empress of Soul', Gladys Knight has been one of the greatest.
— Bernie Briffa (@goonerbeau) May 28, 2019
Few singers over the last fifty years have matched Gladys unassailable artistry.#GladysKnight born #OTD 1944 in Atlanta, Georgia, US. pic.twitter.com/cAxrDBvpVA
Happy birthday Gladys Knight 🎂🎉😍🥰 pic.twitter.com/PEjbjhgXKN
— 👑 (@yourfavess_) May 28, 2019
The legendary Gladys Knight was born #OTD 1944 in Atlanta. Here, Gladys Knight and the Pips perform aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger. (📷: @USNatArchives) https://t.co/eit4m7mOD6 pic.twitter.com/2ZoE7ydTFj
— New GA Encyclopedia (@GaEncyclopedia) May 28, 2019
» Photos: Gladys Knight through the years
» Photos: Gladys Knight honored by Apollo Theater
» Gladys Knight comments on the death of Pips member William Guest
