Marie Knight

Marie Knight (née Roach; June 1, 1920 – August 30, 2009) in 1920, though she claimed to have been born in 1925. Sources differ as to her place of birth – either Attapulgus, Georgia, – but she grew up in Newark, New Jersey. Her father was a construction worker and her family were members of the Church of God in Christ. as a member of the Sunset Four (or the Sunset Jubilee Singers). Shortly afterwards, Sister Rosetta Tharpe saw her singing at the Golden Gate Auditorium in Harlem, on a bill with Mahalia Jackson, and invited Knight to join her on tour.

She left Tharpe to go solo around 1951, and put together a backing group, the Millionaires (Thomasina Stewart, Eleonore King and Roberta Jones), with whom she recorded the 1956 album Songs of the Gospel. In the late 1950s, she also toured Britain as a guest of Humphrey Lyttelton. Knight's version of "Cry Me a River" reached number 35 on the U.S. Billboard R&B charts in 1965.

She toured with Brook Benton, the Drifters, and Clyde McPhatter, and regularly reunited onstage with Tharpe. Mercury MG 20196 The Howard Biggs Orchestra 1957 I'm a little fooler / Am I reaching for the moon Mercury 71055 Teacho Wiltshire Orchestra 1958 I thought I told you not to tell them / September song Baton 253 Rex Garvin 1959 I can't sit down / Miracles Carlton 502 Junior Lewis 1960 Better Wait And See CDKEND 212 (2002)

1975 Blues Alliance 257004 - Today LP 2001 Westside - Bluesoul Belles Vol. 4: Scepter & Musicor Recordings (Compilation; Judy Clay, Marie Knight) 2002 Gospel Friend - Hallelujah What a Song (Compilation) 2007 M. C. Records MC-0058 - Let Us Get Together LP