Photo: Getty Images
Gladys Knight is easing back from the stage after more than 75 years in the music business.
The 82-year-old singer announced Thursday (August 27) that she plans to perform less frequently as she transitions into the next chapter of her career and life.
“After much soul searching I’ve decided that I will be easing into fewer performances while focusing on transitioning into the next stage of my career and life moving forward,” Knight said in a statement shared on Instagram.
She added that she plans to spend more time working on projects with her husband, William McDowell, and visiting her grandchildren.
Knight’s announcement comes amid concerns raised by fans and people working on her tour about some of her recent performances.
According to TMZ, people working on the singer’s tour raised concerns about whether she should continue performing after several shows in which she appeared confused or struggled onstage.
At a July 25 performance at the Hollywood Bowl, Knight turned away from the audience and began walking offstage during “Midnight Train to Georgia,” according to video published by TMZ.
She also reportedly took multiple breaks during an August 18 performance in Detroit.McDowell, who also manages Knight, told TMZ that the singer has “good days and bad” but pushed back against claims that she is being forced to perform.
“No one is ever gonna make me say, ‘My wife is well,’ but all she wants to do is sing," he told the outlet.
He also said Knight has not been diagnosed with dementia but plans to undergo an evaluation.
Knight’s decision to scale back also comes after her son, Shanga Hankerson, raised concerns last year that her touring schedule was “detrimental” to her health and accused McDowell of pushing her to continue performing. Knight denied those allegations, saying at the time that her health had been misrepresented and that she was “healthy and happy,” according to PEOPLE.
Knight, a seven-time Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, thanked fans for supporting her throughout her decades-long career, saying she is ”immensely grateful” and hopes to see them “out and about and on the road.”
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