(Photo by Gems/Redferns)
By Zac Ntim | Deadline
Jean Knight, the voice behind “Mr. Big Stuff,” one of the most recognizable songs of the 1970s funk era, has died of natural causes. She was 80.
Knight’s longtime publicist confirmed her death with multiple media outlets. Bernie Cyrus, executive director of the Louisiana Music Commission and Knight’s longtime friend, also confirmed the news to Rolling Stone.
Born in New Orleans, Knight cut her first demo track in 1965, a cover of Jackie Wilson’s “Stop Doggin’ Me Around.” After a series of regionally successful singles, Knight found mainstream acclaim in 1971 with “Mr. Big Stuff,” her first recording for Stax Records. The song reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and No. 1 on R&B chart. The record stayed on both charts for 16 weeks.
“Mr. Big Stuff” went double platinum, selling over two million records. Knight was nominated for a Grammy for the single. Over the years, the single featured prominently in countless films and TV shows, such as Spike Lee’s Crooklyn, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Simpsons, and The Deuce. Speaking on royalty checks from the track in 2002 Knight said: “’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, Knight hit the R&B charts again with “Carry On.” Her last recording for Stax, the song was considered a regional success. Before recording for Stax, Knight also recorded for the Houston-based Jet Stream label. Jet Stream also had Barbara Lynn and Bobby Patterson & the Mustangs were also on the label.