Soul! # 61 "Gladys Knight & the Pips"
Soul! # 61 "Gladys Knight & the Pips"
MS/TLSs black men & women sitting at tables in Club Soul, listening to Knight & Pips backing band warm up on a soft soul instrumental. Opening credits. Gerry Bledsoe sits at table with Soul associate producer Roslyn Woods & singer Gladys Knight. Gerry & Roslyn interview Gladys Knight, who looks absolutely fantastic. Ms. Knight says she is basically a quiet person, being a Gemini, and doesn't party much since she's a mother of two. Ms. Knight says the producer plays a pivotal role in the recording studio, but she & the Pips do as well, even though they are never credited for producing. Ms. Knight says she & the Pips started writing music in the 1950s & were always ahead of the musical curve. Ms. Knight says they recorded two spiritual songs for Motown records. Gerry Bledsoe thanks Gladys Knight for chatting. Ms. Knight says "I love to talk, honey."
Soul! # 61 "Gladys Knight & the Pips"
Gerry Bledsoe introduces Poet's Corner segment. Carolyn Rogers of Chicago recites poem, "As I Am." Norman Jordan of Cleveland recites poems, "July 29th" & "Ballad of Nelie Rea." Carolyn Rogers recites poem "Somebody Call for Help."
Soul! # 61 "Gladys Knight & the Pips"
Norman Jordan recites poems "I Have Seen Them" & "The Silent Prophet." Carolyn Rogers recites poems "Written for Love of Ascension, Coltrane" & "Once."
Soul! # 61 "Gladys Knight & the Pips"
Gerry Bledsoe introduces Gladys Knight and the Pips. Gladys Knight & the Pips perform "Nitty Gritty."
Soul! # 61 "Gladys Knight & the Pips"
Gladys Knight says she hopes to touch everyone's soul at some point during the show. She says 1971 was a very good year for them & hopes 1972 will be just as good. Gladys Knight and the Pips perform "Make Me the Woman That You Go Home To."
Soul! # 61 "Gladys Knight & the Pips"
Gladys Knight and the Pips perform "Friendship Train."
Soul! # 61 "Gladys Knight & the Pips"
Gladys Knight and the Pips perform "If I Were Your Woman."
Soul! # 61 "Gladys Knight & the Pips"
FOR FULL PERFORMANCE WITH AUDIO, PLEASE CONTACT WPA. Gladys Knight and the Pips perform upbeat version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" (live). Cutaways of African American audience listening, clapping, dancing in chairs, applauding.
Soul! # 61 "Gladys Knight & the Pips"
Norman Jordan recites poems "Feeding the Lions", "August 18th", "The Sacrifice" & "Dead Dreams." Carolyn Rogers recites poem "You Name This One." Norman Jordan recites poems "Allah", "Clairvoyance", "One Eyed Critics (Black Writer's Conference)", & "Popsicle Coal."
Soul! # 61 "Gladys Knight & the Pips"
Carolyn Rogers recites poem "The Revolution is Resting." Norman Jordan recites poems "The Poet, The Dreamer" & "Be You."
Soul! # 61 "Gladys Knight & the Pips"
Gladys Knight sans Pips performs "Help Me Make It Through the Night." Note that Ms. Knight has changed into a red dress.
Soul! # 61 "Gladys Knight & the Pips"
Gladys Knight introduces her backing band: Al Thompson (drums); Carey Harris (bass); Jerry Patterson (guitar); Soul! Orchestra conducted by vocal coach Maurice King. Gladys Knight introduces The Pips: William Guest (aka Cousin Red), Edward Patten (Cousin Ed), Merald Knight (Brother Bubba).
Soul! # 61 "Gladys Knight & the Pips"
Gladys Knight introduces "I Don't Want to do Wrong." Gladys Knight and the Pips perform "I Don't Want To Do Wrong." Credits roll at outset.