Jean Knight

Jean Audrey Knight (née Caliste; January 26, 1943 – November 22, 2023) was an American R&B and soul singer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Launching her professional career in the mid-1960s, Knight was best known for her 1971 hit single "Mr. Big Stuff", released by Stax Records.

Biography Early years Jean Audrey Caliste was born in New Orleans on January 26, 1943.

Success at Stax In early 1970, Knight was discovered by songwriter Ralph Williams, who wanted her to record songs. With Williams' connections, Knight came in contact with record producer Wardell Quezergue. In May of that year, Knight 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 No. 1 R&B hit in early 1971, a producer at Stax Records remembered Knight's recording of "Mr. Big Stuff", and released it. Knight performed the hit song on Soul Train. An album of the same name proved to be fairly successful. Soon, Knight found herself touring consistently. In 1985, Knight gained more recognition when she covered Rockin' Sidney's zydeco novelty hit, "My Toot Toot",

Knight died at a hospital in Tampa, Florida, on November 22, 2023, at the age of 80. Her family released a statement saying: "Beyond touring, recording studios, Ms. Knight loved cooking delicious Creole dishes for family and friends, celebrated Mardi Gras with several local krewes, and proudly served on the Louisiana Music Commission."

Discography

Studio albums YearAlbumPeak chart positionsRecord labelUS US R&B South Africa 1964"The Man That Left Me""Doggin Around" Jetstream 706————Non-album singles"Lonesome Tonight""Love" Tribe 45-8304————1965"T'ain't It the Truth""I'm Glad for Your Sake" Tribe 45-8304————"Anyone Can Love Him""A Tear" Tribe 45-8313————1967"I Don't Want You No More""I Have None" Jetstream 739————1971"Mr. Big Stuff""Anyone Can Keep Living These Memories" Stax STA-008821——Mr. Big Stuff"You Think You're Hot Stuff""Don't Talk About Jody" Stax STA-01055719——Mr. Big Stuff(included on the album as a bonus track after the album's re-release)1972"Carry On""Call Me Your Fool (If You Want To)" Stax STA-0116—44——"Helping Man""Pick Up the Pieces" Stax STA-0138————"Do Me""Save the Last Kiss for Me" Stax STA-0150————1973"Jesse Joe (You Got to Go)""Dirt" Dial D-1026————Non-album singles1975"Don't Ask for 24 Hours""Hold Back the Night" Chelsea CH 3020————"Jesse James Is an Outlaw""Hold Back the Night" Chelsea CH 3035————1976"What One Man Won't Do Another Man Will""Rudy Blue" Open 2627————1981"Anything You Can Do (I Can Do As Well As You)""Gossip" Soulin' 1949————Keep It Comin' "You Got the Papers but I Got the Man""Anything You Can Do (I Can Do as Well as You)"(as Jean Knight & Premium) Cotillion 46020————1983"La De De - La De Da" (Vocal)"La De De - La De Da" (Instrumental, Sing-A-Long Track) Soulin' 1953————Non-album single1985"My Toot Toot""My Heart Is Willing (and My Body Is Too)" Mirage 7-996435059623My Toot Toot"Let the Good Times Roll""Magic" Mirage 7-99606————1990"Mama's Baby" (Rap)"Mama's Baby" (Instrumental) Soulin' 2004————Non-album single1997"Bill""Bus Stop" Ichiban 97-422————Shaki De Boo-Tee "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.