Gladys Knight Tour: Family Feud Over Stage Health

Gladys Knight’s family is split over how much the singer should keep performing. Her son Shanga Hankerson says she’s been zoning out onstage, forgetting lyrics, and needing backup singers to save the show. He even filed a complaint with state officials last year, claiming her much younger husband is pushing her too hard.

Her husband Williams McDowell disagrees. He told a tabloid he’ll use a September 5 concert to see if she can still handle the stage. If she struggles, he’ll pull her from the rest of the tour. He insists she hasn’t been diagnosed with dementia and wants her checked by a doctor soon.

Audiences have noticed the trouble too. At a Detroit show in August, Knight looked tired, took breaks, and relied heavily on her backup singers. Video from the Hollywood Bowl in July showed her losing her place during a song, turning her back to the crowd, and walking offstage before a singer guided her back. Some fans said it was hard to watch.

Knight herself said she’ll ease up on shows and spend more time with her grandchildren. She announced she’ll reduce her performance load while working with her husband on new projects. Tour dates are set through mid-November, but her health will ultimately decide how long she stays on the road.