Renowned for her iconic contribution to the funk scene of the 1970s, Jean Knight, the soulful voice behind the hit track “Mr Big Stuff,” has passed away at the age of 80. Her longtime publicist and Bernie Cyrus confirmed this sad news, the executive director of the Louisiana Music Commission and a close friend of Knight. The cause of her demise was cited as natural.
Hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana, Knight embarked on her musical journey in 1965 with the recording of her first demo track, a rendition of Jackie Wilson’s “Stop Doggin’ Me Around.” Following a series of regionally successful singles, Knight catapulted to mainstream recognition with “Mr Big Stuff,” her debut release for Stax Records. This chart-topping anthem dominated the Billboard R&B charts for an impressive five weeks and made its mark on the Pop Charts, holding its ground for 16 weeks.
“Mr Big Stuff” achieved the remarkable feat of going double platinum, with over two million records sold. Knight’s stellar performance earned her a Grammy nomination. The enduring popularity of the single is evident in its frequent appearances in various films and TV shows, including Spike Lee’s “Crooklyn,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “The Simpsons,” and “The Deuce.” Reflecting on the enduring success of the track in 2002, Knight shared, “Mr Big Stuff is better to me now than 31 years ago. All I have to do is sit at home and wait for the mailman.”
In 1972, Jean Knight once again graced the R&B charts with “Carry On,” marking another milestone in her musical career. This track, her final recording for Stax, enjoyed regional success. Before her association with Stax, Knight had also lent her voice to the Houston-based Jet Stream label, sharing company with fellow artists Barbara Lynn and Bobby Patterson & the Mustangs.
