Gladys Knight, who won a Grammy Sunday for a duet she recorded with Ray Charles, said the recognition given to Charles at the Grammy Awards was well deserved.

“I am so honored,” Knight said. “Usually African-American heroes don’t get the accolades they deserve, especially after they’re gone. Ray is an icon. He really lived up to that title of genius. He was amazing, I know. I knew him most of my life.”

A Grammy for best gospel performance was given to Knight and Charles for the duet “Heaven Help Us All” that they recorded together shortly before Charles died. The recording was Charles last before he passed on. Knight said that gospel music was an enormous part of Charles’ life.

“The song that we both chose to do was ‘Heaven Help Us All,’” she said. “Ray has done many songs like that during his time here on this earth. Gospel was always a foundation for him because that’s where he came from. That’s where we both came from.”

Knight’s deep gospel roots have surfaced in her recent work. She is a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and shares her love of The Lord through music. She recently released an album with an LDS choir known as “The Saints Unified Voices.”

“I want this to be a tool and a vehicle for The Lord,” Knight said. “He has many, many ways that he uses to get his message out. I used to wonder why he’s let me stay around so long, you know, with the way the business is today. And after I elevated my spirit, I came to realize that he intended to use me in this way all along.

Knight began singing in her childhood with her brother, sister and cousins. They eventually became known as “Gladys Knight and the Pips.” The group had several hits during the 60s and 70s, and became recognized as one of the premier artists on the legendary Motown label. Knight said that she is happy that she is able to pursue her own musical interests at this point in her career.

“Now I have the gospel,” she said. “And I’m free after all this time to do what I want to do, and I can use the gifts that The Lord gave me for whatever I like. And I like serving him.”



Copyright Brigham Young University 15 Feb 2005