Jean Knight, a New Orleans singer known for her 1971 hit single “Mr. Big Stuff,” has died. She was 80.
Knight’s death was first announced by New Orleans journalist LBJ on social media.
“New Orleans and the music world mourns the loss of one of its most treasured, musical daughters, Jean Knight, who departed this world on November 22, 2023, at the age of 80,” read a press release her family shared with LBJ. “Ms. Knight, a native of New Orleans, became an integral part of the city’s musical legacy.”
Nola.com reported Knight passed away of natural causes in Tampa, where she was living with her son.
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RIP Jean Knight… we've all sung Mr. Big Stuff a time or two! pic.twitter.com/wgRECAHHBu
— LBJ?? (@lbjnola) November 26, 2023
Knight was born Jean Caliste on Jan. 26, 1943.
After graduating from high school, she recorded a demo in the 1960s and was signed to a recording contract at a regional label. A short time later, she adopted the stage name Jean Knight.
With her music career stalled, she worked as a baker at a school in New Orleans.
Her life changed after she was approached about adding her vocals to the song “Mr. Big Stuff.” Knight agreed and recorded the track in 1970 at Malaco Records in Jackson, Mississippi.
The single was shopped around and landed at Memphis-based soul music label Stax Records. Once the label released the track, it climbed to No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B chart and No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The single became an anthem against misogyny by asking a male figure, “Who do you think you are?” It went on to sell 3 million copies, according to the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
Knight performed the hit single on Soul Train in 1971. The song earned her a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance.
Over the years, the single was sampled by numerous artists and featured on TV shows, including the 2007 mini-series The Bronx Is Burning,
Family Guy, and Black-ish. Rapper Heavy D released a hip-hop version of “Mr. Big Stuff” in 1987.
Knight appeared on the music charts again with her 1985 single “My Toot Toot.”
She eventually decided to continue her education and graduated from nursing school in the 1980s.
Even while working as a nurse, she performed and was featured in the French Quarter Festival and at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
Jean Knight is survived by her son, Dr. Emile Commedore of Tampa; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
