(DailyDig.com) – Soul singer Jean Knight, who was born in New Orleans and became famous in 1971 with the song “Mr. Big Stuff,” died on November 22 at Tampa General Hospital from natural causes, according to a family spokesperson named Mona Giamanco. She was eighty.
Jean Knight’s legacy, according to a statement from her family, is about more than music; it’s about the eternal love that exists among an artist, her devoted followers, and her community.
The Grammy-nominated vocalist was a tremendous loss to her loved ones, fellow musicians, and music industry veterans. She was a cultural icon in her hometown, New Orleans, and a musical force to be reckoned with.
Singer Jean Caliste (Knight), who has been nominated for a Grammy, began performing in her hometown soon after graduating from high school. In 1965, she recorded her first single, a rendition of “Stop Doggin’ Me Around” by Jackie Wilson. In 1971, she signed with Stax Records after the smash of “Mr. Big Stuff,” which catapulted her to even greater stardom.
It peaked at number two on Billboard’s pop 200 list and number one on Billboard’s R&B chart. One year after “Mr. Big Stuff” became a hit, Knight was nominated for a Grammy for best female performance in R&B vocals.
“Mr. Big Stuff” contained the refrain, ‘Who do you think you are?‘, that became famous for its infectious cadence. The song wasn’t simply a chart-topping song; it was the end result of a syncopated and soulful melody. It echoed through the Crescent City, according to Knight’s family’s homage.
Knight continued to release albums after the song’s popularity, with more of her popular songs like “Bill” and “(Don’t Mess With) My Toot Toot.”
Over the years, Knight also performed at festivals and small clubs in the French Quarter of New Orleans, in addition to touring nationally.
Her loved ones knew her not just as a soulful, witty, and joyful singer but also as their mother and grandmother. Mardi Gras was one of her favorite holidays, and she loved making Creole food for her family.
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