Jean Knight was a New Orleans singer who had a chart-topping hit in 1971 with “Mr. Big Stuff.”
- Died: November 22, 2023 (Who else died on November 22?)
- Details of death: Died of natural causes at the age of 80.
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Jean Knight’s legacy
Knight initially struggled to launch her career, recording several songs that made a splash locally but didn’t gain an audience beyond New Orleans. Even after recording the song that would become her defining hit, “Mr. Big Stuff,” she was ready to give up, taking a job at a college cafeteria. But when “Mr. Big Stuff” found its way to higher-ups at Stax Records, they took a chance on its funky sound, releasing the song and signing Knight.
“Mr. Big Stuff” became a smash hit, rising to the top of the R&B chart and landing at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Knight was nominated for a 1972 Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female, and the record went double-platinum. It was later covered and sampled by artists such as Queen Latifah, the Beastie Boys, and Everclear.
Knight continued recording, but she couldn’t match the success of “Mr. Big Stuff.” Follow-up singles included “You Think You’re Hot Stuff” and “Carry On,” as well as a cover of “My Toot Toot.” However, Knight continued touring the world for years, and she was a beloved part of the New Orleans music community. In 2007, she was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
Tributes to Jean Knight
Full obituary: People
