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Biography
BLP sources|date=October 2008 Jean Knight (born Jean Caliste , June 26, 1943, New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans , Louisiana ) is an African-American soul music|soul / Rhythm and blues|R& B / funk singing|singer , best known for her 1971 Stax Records hit single , " Mr. Big Stuff ".cite web|url=Allmusic|class=artist|id=p4699|pure_url=yes|title=Biography: Jean Knight|last=Huey|first=Steve|publisher= Allmusic |accessdate=26 July 2010
Biography
Early years
After graduating from high school , Caliste began singing at her cousin's bar 'Laura's Place' and caught the attention of many different band (music)|bands who were willing to accompany her. In 1965, she sound recording and reproduction|recorded a demo (music)|demo of a cover version of Jackie Wilson 's song "Stop Doggin' Me Around."Citation needed|date=August 2007 Her demo attracted record producer Huey Meaux, who signed her to a recording contract at the Jet Star/Tribe record label s. Shortly thereafter, Caliste adopted the professional name of "Jean Knight," because she felt that her surname was too hard to pronounce. She recorded four single (music)|singles , making a name for herself locally, but was not able to attract any national attention. By the late 1960s, it was obvious that her career was not living up to her high expectations, so she went to work as a baker in the cafeteria of Loyola University New Orleans|Loyola University in New Orleans.
Success at Stax
In early 1970, she was discovered by songwriter Ralph Williams (songwriter)|Ralph Williams , who wanted her to record some songs. With Williams' connections, she came in contact with record producer Wardell Quezergue . In May of that year, she went to Malaco Records|Malaco Studios in Jackson, Mississippi|Jackson , Mississippi , for a recording session during which she recorded "Mr. Big Stuff." After the session was finished, the song was shopped to producers at several national labels, all of whom rejected it. But when King Floyd 's hit "Groove Me" (also recorded at Malaco Studios) became a chart-topper|#1 Hot R& B/Hip-Hop Songs|R& B hit record|hit in early 1971, a producer at Stax Records remembered Knight's recording of "Mr. Big Stuff," and released it. The song also proved to be an instant smash in 1971, reaching #2 on the Popular music|pop record chart|chart and becoming a #1 R& B hit. It went music recording sales certification|double-platinum and received a Grammy Award|Grammy nomination for Best R& B Vocal Performance, Female ; it lost to Aretha Franklin 's version of " Bridge Over Troubled Water ." The next year, Knight was named the 'Most Promising Female Vocalist'. An album of the same name proved to be fairly successful. A couple more minor hits followed, but disagreements with her producer and her label terminated Knight's involvement with Stax.
Later years
After leaving Stax, Knight recorded songs for various small labels, but was not able to gain any more recognition. She ended up performing and touring the local oldie circuit. Things changed in 1981, when she met local producer Isaac Bolden, who signed her to his Soulin' label. Together, they came up with a song entitled "You Got the Papers but I Got the Man," an answer song to Betty Wright 's hit, "I've Got the Papers on the Man"; that song was leased to Atlantic Records for national release. Soon, Knight found herself touring consistently. In 1985, she gained more recognition when she covered Rockin' Sidney 's zydeco Novelty song|novelty hit, "My Toot Toot." Her version proved to be most successful, reaching #50 on the Billboard Hot 100|pop chart. Knight was then given a chance to perform it on the TV variety show Solid Gold (TV series)|Solid Gold .
Although she waited twelve years to come out with another recording, she continued touring and performing engagements all over the world, particularly in the Southern states. In 2003, she performed her biggest hit, "Mr. Big Stuff", on the PBS special Soul Comes Home . Knight has talent running in the family; her great nephews are Gerard Caliste (a visual artist ) and Sweden|Swedish hip hop artist Mattias Lindström Caliste who is part of the Scandinavian Rap music|rap group Fjärde Världen . Knight continues to tour and make live performances, often with such artists as Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor .
In October 2007, the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame honored Knight for her contributions to Louisiana music by inducting her.
Jean Knight's song "Do Me" appears on the 2007 Superbad (film)|Superbad soundtrack.
Discography
Albums
1971: Mr. Big Stuff (album)|Mr. Big Stuff
1985: My Toot Toot (album)|My Toot Toot
1997: Shaki de Boo-Tee
1999: Queen
Compilation albums
1997: The Very Best of Me
Singles
Year
Single
Chart positions
Album
U.S. Billboard Hot 100
U.S. R& B
1971
" Mr. Big Stuff "
2
1
Mr. Big Stuff
"You Think You're Hot Stuff"
57
19
Mr. Big Stuff (included on the album as a bonus track after the album's rerelease)
1972
"Carry On"
-
44
"Do Me"
-
-
1981
"You Got the Papers but I Got the Man" (as Jean Knight & Premium)
-
-
The Very Best of Me
1985
"My Toot Toot"
50
59
My Toot Toot
See also
List of soul musicians
List of 1970s one-hit wonders in the United States
List of artists who reached number one on the Billboard R& B chart
List of acts who appeared on American Bandstand
Guests on Soul Train
References
Reflist
External links
http://1jeanknight.com/ Jean Knight Online
Persondata | NAME = Knight, Jean | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = | DATE OF BIRTH = June 26, 1943 | PLACE OF BIRTH = | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH = DEFAULTSORT:Knight, Jean Category:1943 births Category:Living people Category:American female singers Category:American soul singers Category:American rhythm and blues singers Category:American funk singers Category:People from New Orleans, Louisiana
Copyright Citations
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