View source for Jean Knight

{{Short description|American R&B and soul singer (1943–2023)}}
{{sources|date=November 2023}}
{{use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| honorific_prefix  = 
| honorific_suffix  = 
| name              = Jean Knight
| image             = Jean Knight 1971 press photo.jpg
| image_size        = 
| alt               = 
| caption           = A press photo of Knight in 1971
| background        = solo_singer
| native_name       = 
| native_name_lang  = 
| birth_name        = Jean Audrey Caliste
| alias             = 
| birth_date        = {{birth date|1943|01|26}}
| birth_place       = [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], U.S.
| origin            = 
| death_date        = {{death date and age|2023|11|22|1943|1|26}}
| death_place       = [[Tampa, Florida]]
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Rhythm and blues|R&B]]|[[soul music|soul]]|[[funk]]}}
| occupation        = Singer
| instrument        = 
| years_active      = 1965–2023
| label             = {{hlist|Jetstream/Tribe|[[Stax Records|Stax]]|[[Mirage Records|Mirage]]|[[Ichiban Records|Ichiban]]|Aim Records}}
| associated_acts   = 
| website           = 
}}

'''Jean Audrey Knight''' ([[née]] '''Caliste'''; January 26, 1943 – November 22, 2023) was an American [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] and [[soul music|soul]] [[singing|singer]] from [[New Orleans|New Orleans, Louisiana]]. Launching her professional career in the mid-1960s, Knight was best known for her 1971 [[Hit song|hit single]] "[[Mr. Big Stuff]]", released by [[Stax Records]].<ref name="Huey">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jean-knight-mn0000812040/biography|title=Biography: Jean Knight|last=Huey|first=Steve|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=July 26, 2010}}</ref>

==Biography==
===Early years===
Jean Audrey Caliste was born in New Orleans on January 26, 1943.<ref name="nyt" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://1jeanknight.com/main.htm|title=Biography: The Official Jean Knight Website|accessdate=September 26, 2021}}{{dead link|date=December 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name=YU>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6ZNfAQAAQBAJ&dq=Jean+Knight+January+26&pg=PA183|title=Blues: A Regional Experience|first1=Bob L.|last1=Eagle|first2=Eric S.|last2=LeBlanc|year=2013|isbn=9780313344244|page=183|publisher=Abc-Clio }}</ref><ref name=Bil>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UJYzAQAAIAAJ&q=Jean+Knight+January+26|title=The Billboard Book of One-hit Wonders|first=Wayne|last=Jancik|year=1998|isbn=9780823076222|publisher=Billboard Books|page=302}}</ref><ref name="LarkinSM"/> After graduating from [[high school]], she began singing at Laura's Place, her cousin's bar, 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 Jetstream/Tribe record labels.<ref name="LarkinSM"/> Shortly thereafter, she adopted the professional name of "Jean Knight", because she felt that her surname Caliste was too hard to pronounce. Knight 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 Knight's career was not living up to her high expectations, so she went to work as a baker in the [[cafeteria]] of [[St. Mary's Dominican College]] in New Orleans. She had been raised a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]].<ref name="Higgins">{{Cite magazine |last=Higgins |first=Chester |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tDcDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA59|title=Jean Knight: New 'Big Stuff' of Show Biz |magazine=Jet |date=August 12, 1971 |publisher=Johnson Publishing Company |page=59 |language=en}}</ref>

===Success at Stax===
In early 1970, Knight was discovered by songwriter Ralph Williams, who wanted her to record songs. With Williams' connections, Knight came in contact with record producer [[Wardell Quezergue]]. In May of that year, Knight 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|No. 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.<ref name="LarkinSM"/> The song also proved to be an instant smash in 1971, reaching No. 2 on the [[Popular music|pop]] [[record chart|chart]] and becoming a No. 1 R&B hit.<ref name="LarkinSM"/> 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 (song)|Bridge Over Troubled Water]]". It sold over two million copies and was awarded a [[Music recording sales certification|gold disc]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|R.I.A.A]].<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book|first=Joseph|last=Murrells|year=1978|title=The Book of Golden Discs|edition=2nd|publisher=Barrie and Jenkins Ltd|location=London|page=[https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/296 296]|isbn=0-214-20512-6|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/296}}</ref> Knight performed the hit song on ''[[Soul Train]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/shows/soul-train/jean-knight-the-delfonics-maurice-jackson-ralphi-pagan-110071/|title=Soul Train - Season 1, Episode 11: Jean Knight/ The Delfonics/ Maurice Jackson/ Ralphi Pagan|publisher=TV.com|date=1971-12-11|access-date=2015-08-13|archive-date=April 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422122900/http://www.tv.com/shows/soul-train/jean-knight-the-delfonics-maurice-jackson-ralphi-pagan-110071/|url-status=dead}}</ref> An album of the same name proved to be fairly successful.<ref name="Huey"/> A couple more minor hits followed,<ref name="Huey"/> but disagreements with her producer and her label terminated Knight's involvement with Stax.{{cn|date=December 2023}}

===Later years===
After leaving Stax, Knight recorded songs for various small labels, but was not able to gain any more recognition,<ref name="LarkinSM"/> and ended up performing and touring the local [[oldie]] circuit. Things changed in 1981, when Knight 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 [[Richard "Dimples" Fields]]' record, "She's Got Papers On Me"; that song was leased to [[Atlantic Records]] for national release.<ref name="LarkinSM">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1993|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-733-9|page=153}}</ref> Soon, Knight found herself touring consistently. In 1985, Knight gained more recognition when she covered [[Rockin' Sidney]]'s [[zydeco]] [[Novelty song|novelty]] hit, "[[My Toot-Toot|My Toot Toot]]",<ref name="LarkinSM"/> and found herself in a chart battle with [[Denise LaSalle]]'s version. While LaSalle's version reached the top ten in the United Kingdom, Knight's version was the more successful in the U.S., reaching No. 50 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|pop]] chart.<ref name="Awards"/> Knight was given a chance to perform it on the TV [[variety show]] ''[[Solid Gold (TV series)|Solid Gold]]''. The song also became Knight's only hit in South Africa, reaching No. 3.<ref name="SA"/>

Although Knight waited twelve years to come out with another recording, she continued touring and performing engagements all over the world, particularly in the [[Southern United States|Southern states]]. In 2003, Knight performed her biggest hit, "Mr. Big Stuff", on the [[PBS]] special ''Soul Comes Home''.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}} Knight continued to tour and make live performances, often with such artists as [[Gloria Gaynor]]. In October 2007, the [[Louisiana Music Hall of Fame]] honored Knight for her contributions to Louisiana music by inducting her.{{cn|date=December 2023}} Knight's song "Do Me" appeared on the 2007 ''[[Superbad]]'' [[Superbad (soundtrack)|soundtrack]].

===Personal life and death===
Knight was married at least twice and had at least one child.<ref name=Jet/> Knight married Thomas Commedore and together they had a son.<ref name=Jet/> In the early 1970s, she was married to New Orleans [[Dockworker|longshoreman]] Earl Harris.<ref name=Jet>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tDcDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Jean+Knight+singer&pg=PA59|magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|date=August 12, 1971|first=Chester|last=Higgins|title=Jean Knight: New 'Big Stuff' of Show Biz|pages=56–59|volume=40|issue=20|issn=0021-5996|publisher=Johnson Publishing Company}}</ref>

Knight died at a hospital in [[Tampa, Florida]], on November 22, 2023, at the age of 80.<ref name="nyt">{{cite web|title=Jean Knight, Who Struck Platinum With 'Mr. Big Stuff,' Dies at 80|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/28/arts/music/jean-knight-dead.html|last=Sandomir|first=Richard|date=November 28, 2023|work=The New York Times|access-date=November 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tmz.com/2023/11/26/mr-big-stuff-singer-jean-knight-dead-dies/ |title= Jean Knight 'Mr. Big Stuff' Singer Dead at 80 |date=2023-11-26 |website=[[TMZ]] |access-date=2023-11-27}}</ref><ref name="Legaspi">{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jean-knight-mr-big-stuff-singer-dead-obit-1234897086/ | title=Jean Knight, 'Mr. Big Stuff' Singer, Dead at 80 |last=Legaspi |first=Althea |date=November 27, 2023 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=November 27, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Beaumont">{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/nov/27/jean-knight-soul-funk-singer-mr-big-stuff-dies-80 | title=Jean Knight, soul and funk singer who had hit with Mr Big Stuff, dies aged 80 |date=November 27, 2023| newspaper=The Guardian | last=Beaumont-Thomas | first=Ben |access-date=November 27, 2023}}</ref> Her family released a statement saying: "Beyond touring, recording studios, Ms. Knight loved cooking delicious [[Creole cuisine|Creole dishes]] for family and friends, celebrated [[Mardi Gras]] with several local krewes, and proudly served on the Louisiana Music Commission."<ref name="Walcott">{{cite magazine | url=https://people.com/jean-knight-mr-big-stuff-singer-dead-at-80-8406711 | title=Jean Knight, Legendary 'Mr. Big Stuff' Singer, Dead at 80 |last=Walcott |first=Escher |date=November 27, 2023 |magazine=People |access-date=November 27, 2023}}</ref>

==Discography==
<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/101088-Jean-Knight |title=Jean Knight Discography: Vinyl, CDs, & More |publisher=Discogs |language=en |access-date=August 4, 2025}}</ref>
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Year
! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Album
! scope="col" colspan="2"|Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Record label
|-
! style="width:40px;"|<small>[[Billboard 200|US]]</small><br><ref name="Awards"/>
! style="width:40px;"|<small>[[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|US R&B]]</small><br><ref name="Awards"/>
|-
| rowspan="1"| 1971
| ''[[Mr. Big Stuff (album)|Mr. Big Stuff]]'' 
| align=center | 60
| align=center | 8
| [[Stax Records|Stax]]
|-
| rowspan="1"| 1981
| ''Keep It Comin'' <small>(with Premium)</small>
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| Cotillion Records
|-
| rowspan="1"| 1985
| ''[[My Toot Toot (album)|My Toot Toot]]''<ref name="LarkinSM"/>
| align=center | 181
| align=center | ―
| [[Mirage Records|Mirage]]
|-
| rowspan="1"| 1997
| ''[[Shaki de Boo-Tee]]''
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| Ichiban Records
|-
| rowspan="1"| 1999
| ''Queen''
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| ComStar
|-
| colspan="6" style="text-align:center; font-size:9pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
|}

===Compilation albums===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col"|Year
! scope="col"|Album
! scope="col"|Label
|-
| align=center | 1997
| align=center |『The Very Best of Me』
| align=center |Aim
|-
|}

===Singles===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|Year
! style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|Single
! style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|Label
! style="text-align:center;" colspan="4"|Chart positions
! style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|Album
|-
! width="40"|<small>[[Billboard Hot 100|US Hot 100]]</small><br><ref name="Awards">{{cite web|title=Jean Knight - Awards|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jean-knight-mn0000812040/awards|website=[[AllMusic]]|archive-date=March 13, 2016|access-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313015048/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jean-knight-mn0000812040/awards}}</ref>
! width="40"|<small>[[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US R&B]]</small><br><ref name="Awards"/>
! width="40"|<small>[[Kent Music Report|AUS]]</small><br><ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=169}}</ref>
! width="40"|<small>South Africa</small><br><ref name="SA">{{cite web|author=Brian Currin|url=http://rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(K).html|title=South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Acts (K)|publisher=Rock.co.za|date=2003-05-25|access-date=2015-08-13}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|1964
| align="left"|"The Man That Left Me"<br><small>"Doggin Around"</small>
| align="left"| Jetstream 706
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="4"|Non-album singles
|-
| align="left"|"Lonesome Tonight"<br><small>"Love"</small>
| align="left"| Tribe 45-8304
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|1965
| align="left"|"T'ain't It the Truth"<br><small>"I'm Glad for Your Sake"</small>
| align="left"| Tribe 45-8304
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
| align="left"|"Anyone Can Love Him"<br><small>"A Tear"</small>
| align="left"| Tribe 45-8313
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |1967
| align="left"|"I Don't Want You No More"<br><small>"I Have None"</small>
| align="left"| Jetstream 739
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|1971
| align="left"|"[[Mr. Big Stuff]]"<br><small>"Anyone Can Keep Living These Memories"</small>
| align="left"| Stax STA-0088
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| align="left"|''Mr. Big Stuff''
|-
| align="left"|"You Think You're Hot Stuff"<br><small>"Don't Talk About Jody"</small>
| align="left"| Stax STA-0105
| style="text-align:center;"|57
| style="text-align:center;"|19
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="4"|''Mr. Big Stuff''<br>(included on the album as a bonus track after the album's re-release)
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"|1972
| align="left"|"Carry On"<br><small>"Call Me Your Fool (If You Want To)"</small>
| align="left"| Stax STA-0116
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|44
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
| align="left"|"Helping Man"<br><small>"Pick Up the Pieces"</small>
| align="left"| Stax STA-0138
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
| align="left"|"Do Me"<br><small>"Save the Last Kiss for Me"</small>
| align="left"| Stax STA-0150
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1973
| align="left"|"Jesse Joe (You Got to Go)"<br><small>"Dirt"</small>
| align="left"| Dial D-1026
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="4"|Non-album singles
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|1975
| align="left"|"Don't Ask for 24 Hours"<br><small>"Hold Back the Night"</small>
| align="left"| Chelsea CH 3020
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
| align="left"|"Jesse James Is an Outlaw"<br><small>"Hold Back the Night"</small>
| align="left"| Chelsea CH 3035
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1976
| align="left"|"What One Man Won't Do Another Man Will"<br><small>"Rudy Blue"</small>
| align="left"| Open 2627
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|1981
| align="left"|"Anything You Can Do (I Can Do As Well As You)"<br><small>"Gossip"</small>
| align="left"| Soulin' 1949
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| align="left" rowspan="2"|''Keep It Comin' ''
|-
| align="left"|"You Got the Papers but I Got the Man"<br><small>"Anything You Can Do (I Can Do as Well as You)"</small><br><small>(as Jean Knight & Premium)</small>
| align="left"| Cotillion 46020
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1983
| align="left"|"La De De - La De Da" <small>(Vocal)</small><br><small>"La De De - La De Da" (Instrumental, Sing-A-Long Track)</small>
| align="left"| Soulin' 1953
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| align="left"|Non-album single
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|1985
| align="left"|"[[My Toot-Toot|My Toot Toot]]"<br><small>"My Heart Is Willing (and My Body Is Too)"</small>
| align="left"| Mirage 7-99643
| style="text-align:center;"|50
| style="text-align:center;"|59
| style="text-align:center;"|62
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| align="left" rowspan="2"|''My Toot Toot''
|-
| align="left"|"[[Let the Good Times Roll (Shirley and Lee song)|Let the Good Times Roll]]"<br><small>"Magic"</small>
| align="left"| Mirage 7-99606
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1990
| align="left"|"Mama's Baby" <small>(Rap)</small><br><small>"Mama's Baby" (Instrumental)</small>
| align="left"| Soulin' 2004
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| align="left"|Non-album single
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1997
| align="left"|"Bill"<br><small>"Bus Stop"</small>
| align="left"| Ichiban 97-422
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| align="left"|''Shaki De Boo-Tee''
|-
| colspan="9" style="text-align:center; font-size:9pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
|}

==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]]
* [[List of people who appeared on Soul Train]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Discogs artist}}
* {{imdb name|1430752}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110128143036/http://1jeanknight.com/ Jean Knight Online]}}

{{Jean Knight}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Knight, Jean}}
[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:2023 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American women singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American women singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:American women singers]]
[[Category:American soul singers]]
[[Category:American funk singers]]
[[Category:Mirage Records artists]]
[[Category:Singers from New Orleans]]
[[Category:Stax Records artists]]
[[Category:Singers from Louisiana]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American women]]
[[Category:African-American Catholics]]