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Gladys Knight Says She Will Ease Back on Touring

The move follows recent onstage incidents that prompted calls for a medical review and a decision window around an early-September show that could affect dates through November.

Overview

  • Gladys Knight posted on Instagram on Thursday that she will be "easing into fewer performances" to focus on family and new projects after a 75-year career.
  • Videos and reports from recent concerts described moments of confusion, missed cues and exhaustion, including a widely reported July Hollywood Bowl appearance and an August Detroit show.
  • Some unnamed tour staff and concertgoers told media they worry Knight shows signs of cognitive decline, a claim her husband and manager, William McDowell, rejects and says has not been medically diagnosed.
  • McDowell has said Knight will see a doctor for evaluation and identified an early-September performance as a key test that could prompt him to cancel remaining dates currently booked through mid-November.
  • Knight’s publicist and legal team have pushed back on past accusations from her son about being forced to tour and said attorneys are exploring legal remedies over those comments.