Their first Buddah single was the gorgeous Weatherly ballad "Where Peaceful Waters Flow." However, their next single would define their careers. Their swan song was the GRAMMY-winning "Neither One of Us (Wants to be the First to Say Goodbye)," penned and first recorded by country musician Jim Weatherly – whose songbook the group were keen to revisit.Īfter meeting with various producers, they enlisted Richie Wise, Kenny Kerner, and Tony Camillo to work on their upcoming album. In February 1973, it was announced that Gladys Knight & the Pips had left Motown and signed with Buddah. Whatever you’re looking to do, we're going to make it successful." We give you our word - we’re going to kill for you. As a new, smaller label unable to compete financially with the industry’s bigger fish, Buddah sold themselves on passion.įellow Buddah executive Ron Weisner, who would later manage Gladys as well as Madonna and Michael Jackson, remembers Buddah’s pitch to the group: "We don't have this ridiculous amount of money to give you. "They had all the qualities of a hit group," says Buddah Vice President Cecil Holmes, who admits spending a year "romancing" the group, noting also their "clean cut, no drugs" reputation. The group were soon courted by New York-based label Buddah Records. "We wanted to go to a label where we would be a big fish in a small pond, as opposed to a small fish in a big pond," explains Bubba. But in the twilight of their initial contract, the group flirted with other opportunities. Gladys Knight & the Pips did experience chart success at Motown: their spirited recording of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" was a No. "We felt at Motown like we were adopted," Bubba tells, also noting accounting practices at the label which the group found "distasteful." Why? Their riotous live performances were deflecting from the main act. According to Gladys’ autobiography, Gordy once removed the group’s supporting slot on a Supremes tour. However, the group felt neglected in favor of big-hitters like the Temptations, the Four Tops, and, especially, Diana Ross and the Supremes. "She had warm Southern charm and a hint of Country soul, mixed in with an infectious Gospel feel." "Gladys could ‘sang,’" wrote Motown founder Berry Gordy in his autobiography. They had even experienced chart success with their cover of the Royals’ "Every Beat of My Heart" (a No. Unlike many Motown stars who were plucked from high school and groomed for success, Gladys Knight & the Pips arrived at the label from Atlanta as seasoned performers, having already performed grueling stints on the Chitlin' Circuit and at Harlem’s Apollo Theater. Their seven-year contract with Motown Records was due to expire, presenting them with an opportunity to jump aboard a different train. Yet just 10 months prior to Imagination ’s release, the group’s prospects were unclear.
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