Jean Knight, the woman who gave the world “Mr. Big Stuff,” died on Nov. 22 at the age of 80.
The soul singer died in a hospital in Tampa, Florida, as confirmed by
Mona Giamanco, a publicist for the singer’s family, The New York Times reported. The family announced Knight’s death in a statement they shared with USA Today.“New Orleans and the music world mourns the loss
of one its most treasured musical daughters, Jean Knight,” her family said, according to the news outlet. Knight’s longtime friend and a former Louisiana Music Commission executive director, Bernie Cyrus, also confirmed the New Orleans-born singer’s death to Rolling Stone. The cause of death was not provided.Most people know Knight’s popular refrain, “Who do you think you are, Mr. Big Stuff?” which boldly called out conceited men on behalf of women. Cyrus said about the “Mr. Big Stuff” hit, “It was just so universal.”
The friend of the deceased singer also said, “People remember it. And look, so many people covered it. But nobody did it like Jean.”
The double-platinum hit, created by Knight and record producer Wardell Quezergue, was nominated for a Grammy in 1972. One year prior, the song went straight to No. 1 on Billboard’s Rhythm and Blues chart. It also sold millions of copies, Rolling Stone reported. The New York Times reported it was written by Carrol Washington, Ralph Williams, and Joseph Broussard.
Knight, who started singing after graduating high school, had her first song in 1965. The demo of Jackie Wilson’s “Stop Doggin’ Me Around” put her on the map until she released the female anthem “Mr. Big Stuff” on Stax Records.
Knight was born in New Orleans on Jan. 26, 1943. The R&B singer was given the name Jean Caliste at birth.
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