Gladys Knight is planning to slow down her touring schedule after a string of performances raised concerns among fans of the 82-year-old singer.
The Motown legend has spent the past several months performing solo and alongside fellow music icon Smokey Robinson. According to TMZ, Knight appeared confused at times during some shows, stared off into the distance and relied heavily on her backup singers for vocals.
One of the more concerning moments reportedly came during Knight’s July 25 performance at the Hollywood Bowl. According to the outlet, people involved with the tour had expressed concerns to Knight’s team before the show and questioned whether she should take the stage.
During her performance of the classic “Midnight Train to Georgia,” Knight reportedly turned her back to the audience and began walking offstage. When a backup singer reached for her arm, she pulled away and continued moving toward the exit.
View this post on InstagramA source also told TMZ that Knight’s April Las Vegas performance with Robinson was even more concerning. Some people working on the tour reportedly believe she may be showing signs of dementia, although Knight has not been diagnosed with the condition.
Knight’s husband and manager, William McDowell, acknowledged that she has “good days and bad,” but said performing remains important to her. “No one is ever gonna make me say, ‘My wife is well,’ but all she wants to do is sing,” McDowell told the outlet.
Some fans who attended Knight’s August 18 Detroit concert have already questioned whether she should continue touring. After she took several breaks backstage and appeared exhausted, some concertgoers reportedly left before the show ended, per TMZ.
Reactions to the performance video reflected how divided fans have become over the question. “Midnight train need to make its last stop we gotta let our stars rest,” one person wrote.
“This is absolutely heartbreaking and disgusting! This needs to be stopped!” another commented. “This is sad to watch,” another person wrote. “Why is anyone allowing this ”
Others defended Knight and pointed out that she should be able to decide for herself whether she wants to continue performing.
“She is touring at 82 years old, put some respect on her name!!!! She is a legend,” one fan wrote. “Maybe this is what she wants. Some seasoned folks can’t be told what to do. And rightfully so,” another added.
Gladys Knight Is Scaling Back Her Tour Schedule
It appears Knight is ready to make some changes to her schedule. McDowell told TMZ that he is working on building a facility near the couple’s North Carolina home that would allow her to perform without having to spend as much time traveling.
Knight also released a statement indicating that she plans to gradually reduce her performances while focusing on other parts of her life and career.
“After much soul searching I’ve decided that I will be easing into fewer performances while focusing on transitioning into the next stage of my career and life moving forward,” she said. “I’ll be spending more time on projects with my husband and visiting with my grandbabies and am looking forward to this new era.”
She reflected on the support she has received from fans throughout her many years in music.
“I’d like to take a moment, in advance, to thank all my fans over this last three quarters of a century for making a little girl’s dream come true and supporting her every step of the way,” she added. “I am immensely grateful to all of you and send my eternal love back to you.”
Her decision comes after more than 70 years as a performer, but Knight isn’t ready to say goodbye to the stage just yet. “I hope to see your smiling faces out and about and on the road,” she said.
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