Soul empress Gladys Knight plays Clearwater this weekend

This year, the Empress of Soul Gladys Knight celebrates 60 years since the release of her first studio album with her longtime family band, The Pips.

At the age of 77, it’s a wonder that Knight continues to be a leading role in carrying the flame of classic soul/R&B music, especially with the death of Aretha Franklin and retirement of Tina Turner.

Three years after her controversial, yet nonetheless breathtaking performance of the national anthem at Super Bowl LIII (hi, Kap), Knight will perform her semi-annual performance at Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall this weekend. In her honor, eat some chicken and waffles for dinner before you head to the show. Or after.

This article appears in Jan 27 – Feb 2, 2022.