Jean Knight (born Jean Caliste, January 26, 1943, New Orleans, Louisiana) i… Read Full Bio ↴Jean Knight (born Jean Caliste, January 26, 1943, New Orleans, Louisiana) is an African-American r&b/soul/funk singer, best known for her 1971 Stax Records hit single, "Mr. Big Stuff".
After graduating from high school, Caliste began singing at her cousin's bar 'Laura's Place' and caught the attention of many different bands who were willing to accompany her. In 1965, she recorded a demo of a cover version of Jackie Wilson's song "Stop Doggin' Me Around." Her demo attracted record producer Huey Meaux, who signed her to a recording contract at the Jet Star/Tribe record labels. Shortly thereafter, Caliste adopted the professional name of "Jean Knight," because she felt that her surname was too hard to pronounce. She recorded four singles, making a name for herself locally, but was not able to attract any national attention. By the late 1960s, it was obvious that her career was not living up to her high expectations, so she went to work as a baker in the cafeteria of Loyola University in New Orleans.
In early 1970, she was discovered by songwriter Ralph Williams, who wanted her to record some songs. With Williams' connections, she came in contact with record producer Wardell Quezergue. In May of that year, she went to Malaco Studios in Jackson, Mississippi, for a recording session during which she recorded "Mr. Big Stuff." After the session was finished, the song was shopped to producers at several national labels, all of whom rejected it. But when King Floyd's hit "Groove Me" (also recorded at Malaco Studios) became a #1 R&B hit in early 1971, a producer at Stax Records remembered Knight's recording of "Mr. Big Stuff," and released it. The song also proved to be an instant smash in 1971, reaching #2 on the pop chart and becoming a #1 R&B hit. It went double-platinum and received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female; it lost to Aretha Franklin's version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water." It sold over two million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. The next year, Knight was named the 'Most Promising Female Vocalist'. An album of the same name proved to be fairly successful. A couple more minor hits followed, but disagreements with her producer and her label terminated Knight's involvement with Stax.
After leaving Stax, Knight recorded songs for various small labels, but was not able to gain any more recognition. She ended up performing and touring the local oldie circuit. Things changed in 1981, when she met local producer Isaac Bolden, who signed her to his Soulin' label. Together, they came up with a song entitled "You Got the Papers but I Got the Man," an answer song to Betty Wright's hit, "I've Got the Papers on the Man"; that song was leased to Atlantic Records for national release. Soon, Knight found herself touring consistently. In 1985, she gained more recognition when she covered Rockin' Sidney's zydeco novelty hit, "My Toot Toot." Her version proved to be most successful, reaching #50 on the pop chart. Knight was then given a chance to perform it on the TV variety show Solid Gold. The song also became her only hit in South Africa, reaching number 3.
Although she waited twelve years to come out with another recording, she continued touring and performing engagements all over the world, particularly in the Southern states. In 2003, she performed her biggest hit, "Mr. Big Stuff", on the PBS special Soul Comes Home. Knight has talent running in the family; her great nephews are Gerard Caliste (a visual artist) and Swedish hip hop artist Mattias LindstrΓΆm Caliste who is part of the Scandinavian rap group FjΓ€rde VΓ€rlden. Knight continues to tour and make live performances, often with such artists as Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor.
In October 2007, the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame honored Knight for her contributions to Louisiana music by inducting her.
Jean Knight's song "Do Me" appears on the 2007 Superbad soundtrack.
After graduating from high school, Caliste began singing at her cousin's bar 'Laura's Place' and caught the attention of many different bands who were willing to accompany her. In 1965, she recorded a demo of a cover version of Jackie Wilson's song "Stop Doggin' Me Around." Her demo attracted record producer Huey Meaux, who signed her to a recording contract at the Jet Star/Tribe record labels. Shortly thereafter, Caliste adopted the professional name of "Jean Knight," because she felt that her surname was too hard to pronounce. She recorded four singles, making a name for herself locally, but was not able to attract any national attention. By the late 1960s, it was obvious that her career was not living up to her high expectations, so she went to work as a baker in the cafeteria of Loyola University in New Orleans.
In early 1970, she was discovered by songwriter Ralph Williams, who wanted her to record some songs. With Williams' connections, she came in contact with record producer Wardell Quezergue. In May of that year, she went to Malaco Studios in Jackson, Mississippi, for a recording session during which she recorded "Mr. Big Stuff." After the session was finished, the song was shopped to producers at several national labels, all of whom rejected it. But when King Floyd's hit "Groove Me" (also recorded at Malaco Studios) became a #1 R&B hit in early 1971, a producer at Stax Records remembered Knight's recording of "Mr. Big Stuff," and released it. The song also proved to be an instant smash in 1971, reaching #2 on the pop chart and becoming a #1 R&B hit. It went double-platinum and received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female; it lost to Aretha Franklin's version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water." It sold over two million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. The next year, Knight was named the 'Most Promising Female Vocalist'. An album of the same name proved to be fairly successful. A couple more minor hits followed, but disagreements with her producer and her label terminated Knight's involvement with Stax.
After leaving Stax, Knight recorded songs for various small labels, but was not able to gain any more recognition. She ended up performing and touring the local oldie circuit. Things changed in 1981, when she met local producer Isaac Bolden, who signed her to his Soulin' label. Together, they came up with a song entitled "You Got the Papers but I Got the Man," an answer song to Betty Wright's hit, "I've Got the Papers on the Man"; that song was leased to Atlantic Records for national release. Soon, Knight found herself touring consistently. In 1985, she gained more recognition when she covered Rockin' Sidney's zydeco novelty hit, "My Toot Toot." Her version proved to be most successful, reaching #50 on the pop chart. Knight was then given a chance to perform it on the TV variety show Solid Gold. The song also became her only hit in South Africa, reaching number 3.
Although she waited twelve years to come out with another recording, she continued touring and performing engagements all over the world, particularly in the Southern states. In 2003, she performed her biggest hit, "Mr. Big Stuff", on the PBS special Soul Comes Home. Knight has talent running in the family; her great nephews are Gerard Caliste (a visual artist) and Swedish hip hop artist Mattias LindstrΓΆm Caliste who is part of the Scandinavian rap group FjΓ€rde VΓ€rlden. Knight continues to tour and make live performances, often with such artists as Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor.
In October 2007, the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame honored Knight for her contributions to Louisiana music by inducting her.
Jean Knight's song "Do Me" appears on the 2007 Superbad soundtrack.
Secret Lovers
Jean Knight Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Secret Lovers' by these artists:
Alexander O'Neal Here we are, the two of us together Taking this crazy…
Alexander OβNeal Here we are, the two of us together Taking this crazy…
Atlantic Starr Here we are, the two of us together Taking this crazy…
Atlantic Starr & The Jets Here we are, the two of us together Taking this crazy…
Atlantic Starr and The Jets Here we are, the two of us together Taking this crazy…
Color Me Badd I never really thought that this could happen Me fallin' in…
Etana Here we are Two of us together Taking this crazy chance To b…
Graham BLVD Here we are the two of us together Taking this crazy…
Pitbull Feat. Pleasure P & Yo Gotti (feat. Pleasure P) Pleasure P: Secret lovers is what I w…
Ustinna (ΠΡΠ°ΠΊ) I feel that I drown in lie In your sweet lie And I Wa…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Jean Knight:
"Do Me" Oh I could hide 'neath the wings of the bluebird…
13.Mr. Big Stuff (Oh, yeah, ooh) Mr. Big Stuff Who do you think you are? Mr.…
Do Me Oh I could hide 'neath the wings of the bluebird…
I Had One Someday I'm gonna be happy You just wait and see Some people…
jean knight (Oh yeah, ooh) Mr. Big Stuff Who do you think you are Mr.…
Mr Big Stuff (Oh, yeah, ooh) Mr. Big Stuff Who do you think you are? Mr.…
Mr Big Stuff /Album Version (Oh yeah, ooh) Mr. Big Stuff Who do you think you are Mr.…
Mr Bigstuff (Oh yeah, ooh) Mr. Big Stuff Who do you think you are Mr.…
Mr. Big Stuff (Oh, yeah, ooh) Mr. Big Stuff Who do you think you are? Mr.…
Mr. Big Stuff 1 (Oh yeah, ooh) Mr. Big Stuff Who do you think you are Mr.…
mr. big stuff. (Oh yeah, ooh) Mr. Big Stuff Who do you think you are Mr.…
Mr. Bigg Stuff (Oh, yeah, ooh) Mr. Big Stuff Who do you think you are? Mr.…
Mr. Bigstuff (Oh yeah, ooh) Mr. Big Stuff Who do you think you are Mr.…
My Toot Toot Don't mess with my Toot Toot Don't mess with my Toot…
My Toot Toot "Live" Donβ²t mess with my toot toot, don't mess with my…
Pick Up The Pieces Oh yeah Cryin' won't help you When your baby's gone, no it…
You Think You're Hot Stuff You think you're hot stuff But in my book, you're not…
You Think Youre Hot Stuff (You think you're hot stuff) (But in my book, you're not…
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