While the Pips are remembered now for their absolute powerhouse of a lead vocalist in Gladys Knight (if you don’t get goosebumps when you hear her belt out “He’s leaving on that midnight train to Georgia” you need to consult with your doctor or priest to confirm you still have a soul), they were known in the 70’s as many great bands were– a family affair. Fronted by Gladys Knight and her older brother Merald “Bubba” Knight, the early edition of The Pips also included their sister Brenda Knight and cousin Eleanor Guest and William Guest. By the time Imagination dropped in 1973 Brenda and Eleanor had departed the group, but in their steed Gladys and Bubba had added another male cousin to round out the group in Edward Patten. That familial bond paid off dividends for the group in helping form their sound and land them their only Number One Billboard hit (“Midnight Train to Georgia”) in their first release since leaving the iconic Motown Records to set out on their own with Buddah Records.
Standout Songs: “Midnight Train to Georgia”, “Storms of Troubled Times”, “Where Peaceful Waters Flow”
