Beverley Knight
Beverley Knight at Markrock 2005, in Leuven, Flemish Brabant, Belgium.
Background information
Birth name	Beverley Anne Smith
Born	22 March 1973 (1973-03-22) (age 34) Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England
Genre(s)	Soul, R&B
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, record producer, philanthropist
Years active	1994–present
Label(s)	Dome Records (1994–1997) Parlophone (1997–present)
Website	www.beverleyknight.com

Beverley Knight MBE (born March 22, 1973) is a critically-acclaimed English soul and R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer who released her debut album in 1995. Heavily influenced by soul greats such as Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin, Knight is signed to Parlophone Records and has released five studio albums to date. Widely labelled as one of Britain's greatest soul singers,^[1] Knight is best known for her hit singles "Greatest Day", "Shoulda Woulda Coulda" and "Come As You Are". She also has a toy boy/slut called Jim o'Kief. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Geography Country Belgium Community Flemish Community Region Flemish Region Province Flemish Brabant Arrondissement Leuven Coordinates , , Area 56. ... Flemish Brabant is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. ... is the 81st day of the year (82nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the song by James Blunt, see 1973 (song). ... // Wolverhampton is a City in the historical county of Staffordshire and metropolian county of the West Midlands. ... The County of West Midlands is a metropolitan county in western central England with a population of around 2,600,000 people. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Rhythm and blues (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Singer (disambiguation). ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... In the music industry, a record producer (or music producer) has many roles, among them controlling the recording sessions, coaching and guiding the musicians, organizing and scheduling production budget and resources, and supervising the recording, mixing and mastering processes. ... Philanthropy is the act of donating money, goods, time, or effort to support a charitable cause, usually over an extended period of time and in regard to a defined objective. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Parlophone is a record label, founded in Germany in 1896 by the Carl Lindstrom Company. ... The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight Commander... is the 81st day of the year (82nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the song by James Blunt, see 1973 (song). ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Rhythm and blues (disambiguation). ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... In the music industry, a record producer (or music producer) has many roles, among them controlling the recording sessions, coaching and guiding the musicians, organizing and scheduling production budget and resources, and supervising the recording, mixing and mastering processes. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Aretha Louise Franklin (born March 25, 1942) is an American R&B, Pop and Gospel singer, songwriter, and pianist. ... Parlophone is a record label, founded in Germany in 1896 by the Carl Lindstrom Company. ... Greatest Day was the fifth single released from Prodigal Sista, a studio album by British soul singer Beverley Knight. ... Shoulda Coulda Woulda was the second single released from Who I Am, a studio album by British soul singer Beverley Knight. ... Come As You Are was the first single from Beverley Knights fourth studio album, Affirmation. ...

In 2006 Knight solidified her transmission into the mainstream by starring in BBC One music TV show, Just the Two of Us, a role she reprised in 2007. After releasing a successful compilation album in 2006, Knight went on to tour the U.K. with reformed boyband Take That. She has also hosted the Radio 2 show Beverley's Gospel Nights, which explores the origins and impact of gospel music. To date the show has run for three seasons and has featured interviews with stars such as Destiny's Child and Shirley Caesar. BBC One is the primary television channel of the BBC, and the first in the United Kingdom. ... Just the Two of Us logo with presenters Vernon Kay and Tess Daly Just the Two of Us is a British television reality singing contest hosted by Vernon Kay and Tess Daly. ... A compilation album is an album (music or spoken-word) featuring tracks from one or multiple recording artists, often culled from a variety of sources (such as studio albums, live albums, singles, demos and outtakes. ... “UK” redirects here. ... A boy band (American English) or boyband (British English) is a style of somewhat to mostly prefabricated pop group featuring about between three and six young male singer/dancers, but normally five. ... Take That are an English pop boy band formed by Nigel Martin Smith in Manchester in 1990. ... Gospel music is a musical genre characterized by dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) referencing lyrics of a religious nature, particularly Christian. ... Destinys Child was a three-time Grammy Award-winning American R&B girl group. ... Shirley Caesar (b. ...

Knight is an ambassador for many charities such as Christian Aid and has travelled to areas affected by disease and poverty to help raise awareness. She is an active campaigner for anti-Aids organisations such as the Stop AIDS Campaign and The Terrence Higgins Trust and is also a vocal campaigner against homophobic lyrics in urban music. Activists from Christian Aid lobbying for Trade Justice Christian Aid promotion to buy goats to assist children of Rwanda Christian Aid is an agency of the major Christian churches in the United Kingdom and Ireland. ... The Stop AIDS Campaign is a coalition of more than 80 of the UKs leading development and HIV/AIDS groups. ... The Terrence Higgins Trust is a British charity that campaigns on various issues related to AIDS and HIV. In particular, the Trust aims to reduce the spread of HIV and promote good sexual health (including safe sex); to provide services on a national and local level to people with, affected...

After more than a decade in the industry, Beverley Knight was made an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II in February 2007 in recognition of her charitable work and the contribution she has made to British music. In September 2005 Knight joined the likes of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell by being made a Doctor of Music after receiving the honorary degree from the University of Wolverhampton.^[2] After receiving a host of awards, including three MOBO Awards, Knight was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 at the Urban Music Awards in London.^[3] The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight Commander... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of sixteen sovereign states, holding each crown and title equally. ... This article is about the recording artist. ... Joni Mitchell, CC (born Roberta Joan Anderson on November 7, 1943) is a Canadian musician, songwriter, and painter. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... An honorary degree (Latin: honoris causa ad gradum, not to be confused with an honors degree) is an academic degree awarded to an individual as a decoration, rather than as the result of matriculating and studying for several years. ... The University of Wolverhampton is a British university, located on four campuses across the West Midlands and Shropshire. ... The MOBO (an acronym for Music Of Black Origin) Awards are held annually in the UK to recognise leading black musicians. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ...

Biography

1973–1993: Childhood

Knight attended Woodfield Infants and Junior School and Highfields Science Specialist School In Wolverhampton. Knight was born of Jamaican parents, and she grew up in a strict Pentecostal household where church attendance was commonplace. It is here where she began her singing career: "the first time I heard music would have been in church. My mum was often called upon: 'Come on sister Dolores. Lead us in song!' Singing was the most natural thing in the world. I thought, doesn't everybody's mum lead the congregation at church in song?"^[4] Knight continued singing in her local church throughout her childhood, and her musical education was continued at home where she was often exposed to gospel music. Due to her parents' religious beliefs, secular music was largely frowned upon but artists such as Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin played a big part in her childhood.^[4] The Pentecostal movement within Protestant Christianity places special emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. ... Gospel, from the Old English good tidings is a calque of Greek () used in the New Testament (see Etymology below). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Aretha Louise Franklin (born March 25, 1942) is an American R&B, Pop and Gospel singer, songwriter, and pianist. ...

Knight began writing her own songs – with varying degrees of success – at the age of thirteen. It was not until she turned seventeen, though, that she began to take her craft seriously. Beverley began performing the songs that she had written on stage in local clubs in her hometown. At the age of nineteen, Beverley was heard singing jingles on her local radio station by a record company executive and was offered a recording contract. She was adamant that her education should come first and that she should have something to fall back on, and so went to university to study Religious Theology and Philosophy: "so I told them that they’d have to wait".^[5]

1994–2000: Early success

In late 1994, Beverley Knight signed a record deal with Dome Records – a small, independent label that was home to artists such as Lulu and Hil St Soul. Shortly after, Beverley went in studio to write and record her debut album. The backbone of the project was produced by London production trio 2B3, with additional beats provided by Don E (Beverley’s cousin), Ethnic Boyz and hip-hop act Blak Twang. The result was the critically acclaimed album The B-Funk – hailed as "the best British soul album ever"^[6] by critics when it was released in November 1995. Knight went on to win two Black Music Awards in 1996 ("Best R&B Artist" and "Best Producer" for 2B3) and was named Best R&B Act by Blues and Soul Magazine, beating a host of American stars. However, the commercial success of the album failed to match its critical success and the album peaked on the UK album chart at number one-hundred-and-forty-five. Several singles were released from the project, the biggest being "Flavour of the Old School", which peaked at number thirty-three in March 1996 when it was re-released. Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie, OBE, (born 3 November 1948 in Lennoxtown, Stirlingshire), best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, songwriter, actor, model, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through the 2000s. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Blak Twang, born Tony Olabode in Manchester, England, who also uses the pseudonyms of Taipanic and Tony Rotton, is a British rapper who grew up in Deptford, Lewisham, South East London. ... The B-Funk is the title of the debut album from UK Soul Queen Beverley Knight. ... Flavour of the Old School was the debut single released by British soul singer, Beverley Knight. ...

In February 1997, Beverley left Dome Records after disagreements concerning her musical direction and instead signed a new four-album deal with EMI controlled Parlophone Records. After returning to the studio with 2B3 and Don E and teaming up with new producers Dodge and Carl McIntosh, Beverley released her second album Prodigal Sista in August 1998. Peaking at number forty-two in Britain, the commercial success of the album proved to be much greater than her debut. The album went on to sell 135,000 copies in Britain^[7] and be certified Gold in 1999.^[8] It contained five top forty hits – the biggest of which were "Greatest Day", peaking at number fourteen, and "Made It Back 99" featuring US rap star Redman, which peaked at number nineteen. The EMI Group (LSE: EMI) is a British music company comprising of the major record company EMI Music which operates several labels, based in Kensington in London, England, and EMI Music Publishing, based in New York. ... Parlophone is a record label, founded in Germany in 1896 by the Carl Lindstrom Company. ... Prodigal Sista is the title of the second album from UK Soul Queen Beverley Knight, originally released in 1998. ... Greatest Day was the fifth single released from Prodigal Sista, a studio album by British soul singer Beverley Knight. ... Made It Back was the first single from Beverley Knights second studio album, Prodigal Sista. ... Reginald Reggie Noble (born April 17, 1970), better known by his stage name Redman, is an American rapper. ...

The commercial success of Prodigal Sista marked a big step forward in Beverley’s career and was reflected in the widespread critical acclaim of the project. Q Magazine called the album "a triumph not only of Knight’s musical vision but also of the strength in her character" while The Times remarked "Prodigal Sista is a joy to hear – her vocal and intricate self devised and performed harmonies can make you catch your breath in wonderment". Labelled as one of the greatest British soul albums of all time, the album won three MOBO (Music Of Black Origin) Awards with "Made It Back" and "Greatest Day" winning Best R&B Act in 1998 and 1999 respectively, and Prodigal Sista winning the Best Album Award.^[9] Q is a music and entertainment magazinepublished monthly in the United Kingdom. ... The Times is a national newspaper published daily in the United Kingdom since 1788. ... Mobo can refer to: Motherboard Mobo, Masbate, a municipality in the Philippines MOBO, an acronym for Music Of Black Origin (Awards) This is a disambiguation page — a list of pages that otherwise might share the same title. ...

2001–2005: Mainstream breakthrough

Throughout 2001 Beverley returned to the recording studio to write and record her third studio album. She was accompanied by a different array of writers and producers from Britain and the United States, which included James Poyser, Derrick Joshua & Derrick Martin, D’Influence, Mike Spencer and Colin Emmanuael. The result was Who I Am, which was released in March 2002. It was preceded by two singles, "Get Up!" and "Shoulda Woulda Coulda" which became Beverley’s most successful single up to that point, peaking at number ten on the UK singles chart. The success of the singles, together with wide critical praise, propelled the album to number seven on the album chart making Who I Am Beverley’s most commercially successful album to date. It was re-released twice with new versions of the singles "Gold" and "Shape Of You (Reshaped)" and has sold 215,000 copies in Britain,^[7] earning it a Gold sales certificate.^[10] James Poyser is an English1 (though he moved to America when he was 8) songwriter, record producer, and keyboardist based in Philadelphia, known for his hip-hop and R&B productions. ... Who I Am is the title of the third album from UK Soul Queen Beverley Knight, originally released in 2002. ... Get Up! was the first single taken from Beverley Knights third studio album, Who I Am. ... Shoulda Coulda Woulda was the second single released from Who I Am, a studio album by British soul singer Beverley Knight. ... Who I Am is the title of the third album from UK Soul Queen Beverley Knight, originally released in 2002. ... Gold was the third single released from Beverley Knights studio album, Who I Am. ... Shape Of You (Reshaped) was the fourth and final single from Beverley Knights album, Who I Am. ...

The critical response to Who I Am was largely positive, with The Guardian stating "every song bubbles with the kind of expensive, polished confidence that often eludes British contenders, and she sings with the poise of an artist at the height of her powers"^[11] whilst the BBC remarked "Who I Am marks a significant change in direction for this tenacious 28-year-old singer, signifying her own personal growth as a true artist and developing songwriter....on this her most personal work to date, she takes us on an intimate journey where she bares her soul with such raw honesty that you get the distinct impression a healing process is taking place".^[12] Although the album failed to match the widespread and unanimous acclaim of Beverley’s first two albums, it still earned her two BRIT Award nominations ("Best Female", "Best Urban Act")^[13] and the album was nominated for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize in 2002.^[14] Who I Am is the title of the third album from UK Soul Queen Beverley Knight, originally released in 2002. ... The Guardian is a British newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... The Brit Awards are the annual United Kingdom pop music awards founded by the British Phonographic Industry. ... The Mercury Music Prize, now officially known as the Nationwide Mercury Prize, is a music award given annually for the best British or Irish album of the previous 12 months. ...

After touring Britain in 2002, Knight set about creating her fourth album and entered the studio in the summer of 2003. In an attempt to appeal to a larger mainstream audience, she enlisted the help of pop producers such as Guy Chambers and Peter-John Vettese as well as collaborating with R&B producers such as DJ Munro. The result was Affirmation, which was released on Parlophone Records in June 2004. The album entered the charts at number eleven and was preceded by the single "Come As You Are" – a rock/pop orientated song written with and produced by Chambers. The song marked a more mainstream pop sound that alienated Knight’s largely urban fan base and the song was not well received by urban radio stations. Nevertheless it became her biggest hit to date, peaking at number nine on the singles chart. The song was followed by two more singles, "Not Too Late for Love" and "Keep This Fire Burning", which helped boost album sales and resulted in the album being awarded a Gold sales certificate in December 2004.^[15] Guy Chambers (born January 12, 1963 in London) is an English songwriter and record producer best known for his long partnership with Robbie Williams. ... Affirmation is the title of the fourth album from UK Soul Queen Beverley Knight, released in 2004. ... Parlophone is a record label, founded in Germany in 1896 by the Carl Lindstrom Company. ... Come As You Are was the first single from Beverley Knights fourth studio album, Affirmation. ... Not Too Late For Love was the second single from Beverley Knights fourth studio album, Affirmation. ...

The themes running throughout the album, which were influenced by the events she had witnessed over the previous two years, marked a milestone in Knight’s career as a lyricist. The main essence of the project was centred on Beverley’s relationship with Tyrone Jamison – a gay man whom she described as her "soul mate" and who died of an AIDS related disease in 2003. Throughout the album, lyrics on tracks such as "Remember Me" ("One day we will be reunited, least I hope that is our destiny, so while you chill in the arms of angels, remember me, remember me") and "No One Ever Loves In Vain" clearly point to Beverley’s close relationship with Tyrone and rank as her most personal work to date. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... For other uses, see AIDS (disambiguation). ...

Compared to the praise of her previous albums, the critical response to Affirmation was mixed. The mainstream press such as The Guardian praised her for branching out, whilst the black music press such as The Voice and Blues and Soul accused Knight of selling out and being manipulated away from urban music by her record label, a claim she flatly denies: "Everything I’ve done musically has been completely me. I write my own songs so I’m not just a vocalist who can easily be dictated to."^[16] For other uses, see Affirmation (disambiguation). ... The Guardian is a British newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. ...

2006–present: Consolidating success

In February 2006 Knight consolidated her move into the mainstream audience by appearing on BBC1 music show, Just The Two of Us. The show, featuring celebrities who duet with established singers, ran for two weeks and proved to be a relative disappointment in terms of audience figures – averaging between fifteen and twenty-five percent audience shares.^[17] Nevertheless it provided a platform for Knight to reach out to a bigger audience and demonstrate her talent by performing a different array of songs than she would otherwise be known for. Reaching out to new audiences was also a driving force behind Knight’s decision to join Take That on their reunion arena tour. Take That - The Ultimate Tour 06, which ran from April to July 2006, sold 270,000 tickets in less than four hours on sale at the box office and featured Knight as a support act.^[18] Take That are an English pop boy band formed by Nigel Martin Smith in Manchester in 1990. ...

In March 2006 Beverley released her fifth album, a compilation set featuring the majority of her top forty UK singles entitled Voice - The Best Of Beverley Knight. The album, which was certified Gold less than a month after its release,^[19] became her second highest charting of her career when it entered the UK albums chart at number ten and rose to number nine a month later. It was preceded by the single "Piece of my Heart" – a cover of the Erma Franklin classic made famous by Janis Joplin and entered the singles chart at number sixteen, spending eleven weeks inside the UK top 75 singles chart and becoming her longest-running chart single to date. Voice - The Best Of Beverley Knight is the title of the UK Soul Queen Beverley Knights first hits collection, released in early 2006. ... Erma Vernice Franklin (March 13, 1938–September 7, 2002) was an American soul, rhythm and blues, and pop singer. ... Janis Lyn Joplin (Born January 19, 1943- October 4, 1970 was an influential singer, songwriter, and music arranger. ...

In October 2006, Knight recorded her fifth studio album, Music City Soul, in Nashville. Completed in less than five days, the album was released on 7 May 2007 and features collaborations with musicians such as Ronnie Wood and Scotty Moore. It has spawned three singles thus far, "No Man's Land", released on 16 April 2007, "After You", released on 2 July 2007 and "The Queen of Starting Over", released on 15 October 2007. Music City Soul is the fifth studio album recorded by British singer-songwriter Beverley Knight. ... For other cities named Nashville, see Nashville (disambiguation). ... is the 127th day of the year (128th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Ron Wood (born June 1, 1947 in London) is a British rock guitarist and best known as a member of The Rolling Stones and The Faces. ... Winfield Scott Scotty Moore III (born December 27, 1931 near Gadsden, Tennessee) is a legendary American guitarist and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. ... No Mans Land is the first single released by British singer-songwriter Beverley Knight from her fifth studio album, Music City Soul. ... is the 106th day of the year (107th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... After You is the second single released from British singer-songwriter Beverley Knights fifth studio album, Music City Soul. ... is the 183rd day of the year (184th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... The Queen of Starting Over is the third single released from British singer-songwriter Beverley Knights fifth studio album, Music City Soul. ... is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

Creativity & Influences

Growing up in a Pentecostal environment of Jamaican descent, music – especially gospel music – became a staple part of Knight’s childhood. She entered the gospel choir of her local church at the age of just four years old and eventually became the musical director before she left in her late teens. Her musical education continued at home where her family would often sing together around the piano and listen to music from their favourite gospel and soul artists such as Sam Cooke. In 2005, Knight revisited her childhood when she hosted Beverley’s Gospel Nights, a BBC Radio 2 series exploring gospel music. Featuring interviews with artists such as Shirley Caesar, Percy Sledge and Destiny’s Child stars Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, the six-part series explored the roots of gospel music and the impact it had upon the black community. Such was the success of the show that a second six-part series was commissioned and began in March 2006 and featured new interviews with artists such as Candi Staton, David McAlmont and Marvin Winans. Knight's interview technique and her ability to get her guests to open up and discuss issues in their personal lives such as domestic violence and depression received favourable reviews and led the Radio Times to comment "Knight's passion for the music is obvious - but so is her warmth, which makes her a rarity among interviewers."^[20] The Pentecostal movement within Protestant Christianity places special emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. ... Gospel music is a musical genre characterized by dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) referencing lyrics of a religious nature, particularly Christian. ... A short grand piano, with the top up. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBCs national radio stations and is the most popular station in the UK. It broadcasts throughout the UK on FM radio between 88 and 91 MHz from its studios in Western House, adjacent to Broadcasting House in central London. ... Gospel music is a musical genre characterized by dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) referencing lyrics of a religious nature, particularly Christian. ... Shirley Caesar (b. ... Percy Sledge Percy Sledge (born November 25, 1941 in Leighton, Alabama) is a US-American R&B and soul performer. ... Destinys Child was an American R&B group. ... Kelly Rowland (born Kelendria Trene Rowland on February 11, 1981) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress, who rose to fame as one of the founding members of the successful R&B girl group Destinys Child, the best-selling female band of all time (according to... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Gospel music is a musical genre characterized by dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) referencing lyrics of a religious nature, particularly Christian. ... Information in this article or section has not been verified against sources and may not be reliable. ... David McAlmont (Born May 2, 1966 in Croydon, England) is one of the UKs most talented vocalists. ... “Domestic disturbance” redirects here. ... Clinical depression (also called major depressive disorder, or unipolar depression when compared to bipolar disorder) is a state of intense sadness, melancholia or despair that has advanced to the point of being disruptive to an individuals social functioning and/or activities of daily living. ... Current Radio Times logo Radio Times is the BBCs weekly television and radio programme listings magazine. ...

The first artist to make an impact upon Knight was one of the true founders of contemporary gospel and soul music, Sam Cooke. Despite his untimely death in 1963, his music endured and became a staple part of Knight's childhood: Gospel, from the Old English good tidings is a calque of Greek () used in the New Testament (see Etymology below). ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Indeed the impact Sam Cooke can be seen throughout Knight’s career as she has often performed and recorded Cooke classics, the most notable of which is "A Change Is Gonna Come". The track, which came to exemplify the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, has featured in many of Knight’s live performances (usually with the aid of the London Community Gospel Choir) and she even recorded a studio version with musician Jools Holland, which featured on his Small World, Big Band Volume 2 album. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This Gutenberg Bible is displayed by the United States Library. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A Change Is Gonna Come is a 1965 single by R&B singer-songwriter Sam Cooke, written and first recorded in 1963 and released under the RCA Victor label a month after his late 1964 death. ... Historically, the civil rights movement was a period of time around the world of approximately one generation (1954–1980) wherein there was much worldwide civil unrest and popular rebellion. ... The London Community Gospel Choir is a gospel choir who performed with the Childrens Choir of San Fernandez for the Gorillaz hit Dirty Harry. They recorded a version of the OutKast hit Hey Ya! with Razorlight, the b-side to their single Vice. They have also performed with Madonna... Julian Miles Holland, OBE, DL (born 24 January 1958 in Blackheath, South East London) is an English virtuoso pianist, bandleader, television presenter, architectural eccentric and pop music enthusiast. ...

In addition to Cooke, another major presence in Knight’s childhood that has moulded her career is Lady Soul herself, Aretha Franklin. Besides leading a tribute to Franklin at the BBC's Music of the Millennium concert in 1999 (which also featured Spice Girl Melanie B and singer Jocelyn Brown), Knight has recorded several of Franklin’s records, most notably "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" and "Think", both of which have been released as b-sides. But it’s the Queen of Soul’s vocal delivery that has most had an impact upon Knight: Aretha Louise Franklin (born March 25, 1942) is an American R&B, Pop and Gospel singer, songwriter, and pianist. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... The Spice Girls are a four-time BRIT Award-winning English all-female pop group, which formed in London in 1994. ... Melanie Janine Brown (born May 29, 1975) is a British singer, originally in the girl band the Spice Girls, where she was known as Scary Spice. Born in Leeds, England. ... Jocelyn Brown (born Jocelyn Lorette Brown, November 25, 1950, in Kinston, North Carolina) is an R&B and dance music singer. ... Think is the name of a hit single released by American R&B/soul musician Aretha Franklin in 1968, from her Aretha Now album. ... In recorded music, the terms A-side and B-side refer to the two sides of 7 inch vinyl records on which singles have been released since the 1950s. ...

Heavily influenced by the likes of Franklin and Cooke, Knight has also recorded songs from of other legendary artists such as Stevie Wonder ("Love's in Need of Love Today", which featured on the Warchild album Hope) and Curtis Mayfield ("Hard Times", which appeared on Courtney Pine’s Back in the Day album). But this influence has also manifested itself on stage where Knight often incorporates songs by her soul heroines such as Nina Simone ("Feelin’ Good"), Chaka Khan ("I Feel For You" and "Sweet Thing") and Billie Holliday ("God Bless the Child") into her live performances. I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You is an album by Aretha Franklin, released on March 10, 1967 (see 1967 in music). ... 1972 album by R&B/gospel legend Aretha Franklin. ... Stevie Wonder (born Stevland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950, name later changed to Stevland Hardaway Morris),[1] is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. ... Warchild is a science fiction novel by Karin Lowachee. ... Curtis Mayfield (June 3, 1942 – December 26, 1999) was an American soul, funk and R&B singer, songwriter and guitarist best known for his anthemic music with The Impressions and composing the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Superfly. ... Courtney Pine (born 18 March 1964) is a British jazz musician. ... Eunice Kathleen Waymon, better known by her stage name Nina Simone (February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003), was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist. ... Chaka Khan (born March 23, 1953) is an American singer known for her 1984 cover of Princes I Feel For You, for her smash hit Im Every Woman and as a member of the funk band Rufus, with whom she recorded the legendary soul record Aint Nobody... Billie Holiday photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1949 Billie Holiday (April 7, 1915 - July 17, 1959), also called Lady Day is generally considered one of the greatest jazz singers of all time. ...

In addition to the pioneering soul and gospel artists of the mid-twentieth century, modern artists such as Mary J. Blige and D'Angelo have also played a role in shaping Knight’s musical outlook. The most significant of her contemporary peers comes in the form of Prince, a man she describes as one of her hero’s: "Prince goes back to me listening to preachers when I was a child, who tell a story to illustrate a point...the first song I heard by him was "Little Red Corvette", when I was nine. Of course, I didn't have a clue about what he was singing about; the sexuality is implicit and I love that."^[22] The influence of Prince, whom Knight even mentions on her Prodigal Sista and Who I Am album sleeves, can be seen throughout her back catalogue with songs such as "Get Up!", "Hurricane Jane" and "Supersonic" being compared to Prince due to their mix of funk and soul. Mary Jane Blige (born January 11, 1971) is an American R&B, soul, and hip hop soul singer, rapper, songwriter, producer, and actress. ... DAngelo (born Michaela Eugene Archer on February 11, 1974 in Richmond, Virginia) is a Grammy Award winning American soul singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. ... Due to technical limitations, some web browsers may not display some special characters in this article. ... Prodigal Sista is the title of the second album from UK Soul Queen Beverley Knight, originally released in 1998. ... Who I Am is the title of the third album from UK Soul Queen Beverley Knight, originally released in 2002. ... Get Up! was the first single taken from Beverley Knights third studio album, Who I Am. ... For other uses, including related musical genres, see Funk (disambiguation). ...

Throughout her childhood, Knight’s musical exposure developed as she got older. Gospel led to soul, which led to funk which led to R&B^[23] – but growing up in the Midlands meant that she was exposed to lots of other different influences too: "It wasn’t a case that there was a huge black community who all stuck together and only listened to reggae or R&B or strictly black music. I find that London is a bit more segregated. In Wolverhampton, black people weren't so segregated and I think that had a massive impact on my musical influences."^[16] This diversity is illustrated best by Knight’s forth studio album, Affirmation. After working with Guy Chambers, the album had a more mainstream flavour compared to her previous albums and was led by the rock guitar driven single "Come As You Are". Although the song became her highest charting single to date, Knight was largely criticised by urban radio and media for moving too far away from her urban sound. Nevertheless the song illustrated Knight’s determined effort not to become boxed in and "ghettoised". For other uses, including related musical genres, see Funk (disambiguation). ... Rhythm and blues (or R & B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Billboard magazine. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Reggae is a music genre developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. ... Rhythm and blues (or R & B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Billboard magazine. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... // Wolverhampton is a City in the historical county of Staffordshire and metropolian county of the West Midlands. ... Affirmation is the title of the fourth album from UK Soul Queen Beverley Knight, released in 2004. ... Guy Chambers (born January 12, 1963 in London) is an English songwriter and record producer best known for his long partnership with Robbie Williams. ... Come As You Are was the first single from Beverley Knights fourth studio album, Affirmation. ...

Achievements

Accolades

In 2006 it was announced that Knight was to be awarded an MBE in acknowledgement for her services to music and the work she does on behalf of several charities. She was presented with the accolade by Queen Elizabeth II at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in February 2007. After the ceremony Knight remarked that the recognition "reflects not only on my whole career but the work I do for charities which is immensely important to me. I do not do that to be awarded for it, I just do it because it's in my heart, but to be recognised for it, hopefully will put the magnifying glass on to them as well".^[24] The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight Commander... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of sixteen sovereign states, holding each crown and title equally. ... Buckingham Palace and the Victoria Memorial. ...

In September 2005 Knight was presented with an honorary degree from the University of Wolverhampton. After being made a Doctor of Music, she stated: “I am proud to say I am Black, female and British but it is still all me, I have not forgotten my roots. I am enormously proud to be receiving this award, it is a great honour and also very humbling.”.^[25] Professor Craig Mahoney from the University announced “we are delighted to bestow on Beverley the award of an honorary degree of doctor of music in recognition of her outstanding contribution to music and the local community, and in recognition of her extensive charity work.”^[2] An honorary degree (Latin: honoris causa ad gradum, not to be confused with an honors degree) is an academic degree awarded to an individual as a decoration, rather than as the result of matriculating and studying for several years. ... The University of Wolverhampton is a British university, located on four campuses across the West Midlands and Shropshire. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Awards and nominations

The MOBO (an acronym for Music Of Black Origin) Awards are held annually in the UK to recognise leading black musicians. ... The Brit Awards are the annual United Kingdom pop music awards founded by the British Phonographic Industry. ... The Mercury Music Prize, now officially known as the Nationwide Mercury Prize, is a music award given annually for the best British or Irish album of the previous 12 months. ...

Discography

Main article: Beverley Knight discography

Beverley Knight in Come As You Are. ... The B-Funk is the title of the debut album from UK Soul Queen Beverley Knight. ... is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... Prodigal Sista is the title of the second album from UK Soul Queen Beverley Knight, originally released in 1998. ... is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Who I Am was the third studio album released by Beverley Knight in March 2002 by Parlophone Records. ... is the 70th day of the year (71st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Affirmation is the title of the fourth album from UK Soul Queen Beverley Knight, released in 2004. ... is the 179th day of the year (180th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Voice - The Best Of Beverley Knight is the title of the UK Soul Queen Beverley Knights first hits collection, released in early 2006. ... is the 79th day of the year (80th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Music City Soul is the fifth studio album recorded by British singer-songwriter Beverley Knight. ... is the 127th day of the year (128th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

Tour history

• 2002 Who I Am Tour
• 2002 Beverley Knight Tour
• 2005 Affirmation Tour
• 2006 Voice - The Best of Tour
• 2007 Music City Soul Tour

Voice - The Best of Tour is a concert tour by British singer-songwriter Beverley Knight, organised to support the album Voice - The Best of Beverley Knight. ... Music City Soul Tour is a concert tour by British singer-songwriter Beverley Knight, organised to support the album Music City Soul. ...

Further reading

• Knight on the town

An interview with Knight by Andrew Losowsky, published in December 2002 and featured in The Big Issue. The interview touches on Knight's career, religion, morality and global poverty. Founded by John Bird and Gordon Roddick in September 1991, The Big Issue is a magazine in the United Kingdom that is edited by professional journalists and sold by homeless people. ... -1... A boy from an East Cipinang trash dump slum in Jakarta, Indonesia shows what he found. ...

• Beverley Knight: The soul survivor

In depth article written by Knight detailing her close relationship with friend Tyrone Jamison, who died of an AIDS related illness in 2003. The article, featured in The Independent newspaper, was published on June 20, 2004. For other uses, see AIDS (disambiguation). ... The Independent is a British compact newspaper published by Tony OReillys Independent News & Media. ... is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

• Beverley Knight's Band Aid view

An interview with conducted by the BBC in November 2004, where Knight discusses Live Aid and her participation in the re-recording of Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas? For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... Ethiopia, as its borders were in 1985. ... Cover art for the original release of Do They Know Its Christmas? – artist Peter Blake Band Aid was a British and Irish charity supergroup, founded in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in order to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia by releasing the record Do They... Cover art for the original Do They Know Its Christmas? release – artist Peter Blake Do They Know Its Christmas? is a song written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984 specifically to raise money for Ethiopian famine relief. ...

• We're Jammin': Beverley Knight

An interview with Knight conducted by Pascal Wyse for The Guardian newspaper and published on March 17, 2006. The interview features in depth disccussions about Knight's musical education and the artists that have shaped her outlook. The Guardian is a British newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Notes and references

^ Please note: subcription needed to validate source but full copy of article can be found here. Corporate logo of the British Broadcasting Corporation The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the national public service broadcaster of the United Kingdom (see British television). ... is the 79th day of the year (80th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... is the 60th day of the year (61st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 126th day of the year (127th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Guardian is a British newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. ... is the 79th day of the year (80th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 79th day of the year (80th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 79th day of the year (80th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Music Week is a trade paper for the UK record industry. ... is the 144th day of the year (145th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The British Phonographic Industry was founded in 1973 to represent the interests of British music companies and to fight the growing problem of music piracy. ... is the 126th day of the year (127th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Corporate logo of the British Broadcasting Corporation The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the national public service broadcaster of the United Kingdom (see British television). ... is the 282nd day of the year (283rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... The British Phonographic Industry was founded in 1973 to represent the interests of British music companies and to fight the growing problem of music piracy. ... is the 126th day of the year (127th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Guardian is a British newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. ... is the 83rd day of the year (84th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is an overview article about the Crown chartered British Broadcasting Corporation formed in 1927. ... is the 83rd day of the year (84th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Brit Awards are the annual United Kingdom pop music awards founded by the British Phonographic Industry. ... is the 83rd day of the year (84th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Mercury Music Prize, now officially known as the Nationwide Mercury Prize, is a music award given annually for the best British or Irish album of the previous 12 months. ... is the 83rd day of the year (84th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The British Phonographic Industry was founded in 1973 to represent the interests of British music companies and to fight the growing problem of music piracy. ... is the 126th day of the year (127th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 84th day of the year (85th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Guardian is a British newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. ... is the 56th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Corporate logo of the British Broadcasting Corporation The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the national public service broadcaster of the United Kingdom (see British television). ... is the 346th day of the year (347th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The British Phonographic Industry was founded in 1973 to represent the interests of British music companies and to fight the growing problem of music piracy. ... is the 126th day of the year (127th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Current Radio Times logo Radio Times is the BBCs weekly television and radio programme listings magazine. ... is the 86th day of the year (87th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 126th day of the year (127th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Corporate logo of the British Broadcasting Corporation The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the national public service broadcaster of the United Kingdom (see British television). ... The Guardian is a British newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. ... is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... This article is about the British television station. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... This article is about the day. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... The University of Wolverhampton is a British university, located on four campuses across the West Midlands and Shropshire. ... This article is about the day. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

External links