Gladys Knight has announced that she’s begun “easing into fewer performances” following a string of erratic concerts that left fans concerned for the 82-year-old singer.
“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 wrote on social media Thursday night.
“I’ll be spending more time on projects with my husband and visiting with my grandbabies and am looking forward to this new era.”
The announcement comes after video circulated online of Knight at recent performances, including a July 25 gig at the Hollywood Bowl, wandering around the stage, turning her back to the audience, and not singing on cue. When a backup singer attempted to reincorporate Knight back into the performance, Knight shook her off.
Knight’s husband and manager William McDowell told TMZ that Knight insists on performing despite whatever health issues she’s facing. “No one is ever gonna make me say, ‘My wife is well,’ but all she wants to do is sing,” McDowell said.
However, in 2025, when Knight was on the Queens Tour with Chaka Khan and Patti LaBelle, Knight’s son Shanga Hankerson expressed concerned over his mother’s intense touring schedule, saying it was “detrimental” to her health and that McDowell was forcing her to perform, “unfounded allegations” that Knight denied in a statement at the time.
According to Knight’s website, the “Midnight Train to Georgia” singer has six more shows scheduled for 2026, the next being a September 11 concert in Cincinnati and the last one on November 14 in Highland, California. The status of the concerts is unclear given Knight’s statement Thursday, but the singer made it seem that while she’ll be “easing” her schedule, she still plans on performing.
“I hope to see your smiling faces out and about and on the road,” Knight wrote to fans. “God bless you all and hope to see you soon.”
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