By Brenda June Temple
Jean Knight (née Caliste; January 26, 1943 – November 22, 2023) was an American R&B and soul singer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Launching her professional career in the mid-1960s, Knight was perhaps best known for her 1971 hit single, “Mr. Big Stuff” released by Stax Records.
STAX RECORDS SUCCESS
In early 1970, Knight was discovered by songwriter Ralph Williams, who wanted her to record some songs. With Williams’ connections, Knight came in contact with record producer Wardell Quezergue. In May of that year, Knight went to Malaco Studios in 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 #1 R&B 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 No. 2 on the pop chart and becoming a No. 1 R&B hit. It went double-platinum and received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female; it lost to Aretha Franklin‘s version of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” It sold over two million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. Knight performed the hit song on Soul Train. 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.
MR. BIG STUFF AUDIO/VIDEO FROM YOUTUBE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ-4cKFVC34
