![]() ![]() A lawsuit forced Hankerson to remove her name shortly before the popular Chicken and Waffles shop closed for good in 2017. Knight had lent her name to her son’s restaurant but was not involved with any of the daily operations. The state said at the time that Hankerson owed them over $650,000 from the three Chicken and Waffles restaurants. ![]() During our 'Summer Of Soul' series, weve been featuring interviews from our archives with performers who were. The Pips were invented when she joined with her bother Merald (Bub-ba) and cousin William Guest to perform at a family party. Gladys Knight severs ties with son’s chicken and waffles eateryĬhannel 2 Action News reported that Georgia Department of Revenue agents raided the midtown restaurant in June 2016. DAVID BIANCULLI, HOST: This is FRESH AIR.Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles reopens after raid.Authorities raid Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles restaurants.This sentencing emphasizes that all employers, big and small, have equal responsibility to collect, report, and pay over their payroll taxes.” “Paying taxes is a way to give back to the community, but unfortunately Hankerson chose to use those funds for other means. That group is not to be confused with the other Temptations, which features baritone Otis Williams.Įven if one needs a scorecard to know the players, it was still fun to hear such Temptation goodies as “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” and “My Girl” at the Paramount.“While ownership of a well-known restaurant in our community has its perks, it also comes with great responsibility,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge James Dorsey. Knight’s performance was so sensational that it eclipsed a fairly enjoyable offering by the opening act, the Temptations Review Featuring Dennis Edwards. Then sister Knight took back the reins and closed the show in fine fashion with “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)” and, of course, “Midnight Train to Georgia.” The former Pip delivered some wonderful shtick, centering on a hilariously good version of “Love and Happiness” that was part Al Green and part “Saturday Night Live” skit. The show took a turn for the wacky – but in a good way – when the star’s brother, Merald “Bubba” Knight, took the stage. More often, the set list is treated like it’s carved in stone. One doesn’t often see that kind of flexibility in a show that features such a large band. One of the most impressive moments came when a fan called out for the early ’60s tune “Every Beat of My Heart” and Knight decided to immediately play it. “Before Me” is a worthy tribute, and it’s not hard to draw a direct line back to the likes of Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday when one hears Knight croon a tune such as “The Man I Love.” That connection was further strengthened when the singer crept through a bluesy, breathy version of the all-time classic “Stormy Weather.” Knight’s version of that tune hails from her most recent album, 2006’s “Before Me.” As is hinted by the title, “Before Me” is a work that pays tribute to the female vocalists who helped pave the way for Knight. She further proved her versatility with a luxurious waltz through the Gershwin chestnut “The Man I Love,” which she handled like a jazz-club veteran. The vocalist later boogied her way through the Cuban soul number “Feelin’ Good (Vacilon),” found on 2004’s famed collaborative effort between American and Cuban musicians, the “Bridge to Havana” CD. ![]() She was backed by four singers, two percussionists, three keyboardists, a bassist, a guitarist and a 14-piece horn section led by an extremely good conductor. Her voice was matched exquisitely by a huge ensemble of musicians, one so big that many a fan’s mouth fell agape when the house lights first went up. She sounded like the Gladys that fans know and love from such ’60s Motown hits as “Nitty Gritty” and “Friendship Train.” She sounded exactly how we hoped she would. Plus, Knight looked absolutely radiant, flashing that trademark million-dollar smile like she had just won the lottery. She said all the right things and sang all the right songs. She was energetic, warm, charmingly funny and confident. The Motown legend – who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, along with her former backup band, the Pips – was everything the audience could have hoped for on this night. The 62-year-old R&B and soul queen proved that unequivocally Saturday night as she showed her old-school fans a royal good time at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland. The Motown legend was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. ![]()
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