Gladys Knight played a string of gigs in the UK, Australia and New Zealand as part of her Farewell Tour last year, and has been performing her greatest hits from her lengthy career in the US
Gladys Knight has been forced to cancel a show at the last minute after receiving medical treatment.
The 80-year-old Grammy winner was due to perform at the Florida Theatre in Florida on Saturday night, but just moments before she was due to take to the stage, she was taken to hospital. According to a statement from the Florida Theatre president Numa Saisselin, the Midnight Train to Georgia hitmaker fell ill “very suddenly” backstage and was treated by medical staff before being taken for further treatment.
She was released overnight, according to TMZ, and is resting at her home in North Carolina. “Tonight’s performance by Gladys Knight was canceled due to illness. Ms. Knight and another member of her staff were taken ill backstage, very suddenly and at the last minute, which necessitated the sudden cancellation of the show,” the statement read.
“Ms. Knight was attended to by Jacksonville Fire Rescue, and she was smiling and in good spirits when they left the building. We hope to reschedule the show, but it’s too early to know about that… we should know more early next week,” the statement continued. Gladys is due to perform on Tuesday in Orlando, but no further details have been given about any more cancelled gigs.
The singer updated worried fans on Instagram, and revealed that she would be resting at home after contracting the flu. “Hi my loves! I have that flu that is going around and am already feeling better. I’ll see everyone real soon and appreciate the good wishes,” she wrote. Her fans rushed to the comments to send their love and well wishes to the iconic singer, with many worried that the post was announcing her death.
“God bless you Miss. Gladys! Take care of yourself,” one fan penned, while her famous friends including Jermaine Dupri and Sheila E also sent their love to the singer. “Get well soon Auntie,” the singer and drummer commented.
Gladys began her career in the late 1950s, and shot to fame with her family group Gladys Knight and the Pips. She pursued a solo career in the 1980s, and has written more than 40 albums, with her Motown hit Midnight Train to Georgia voted one of the greatest songs of all time by Rolling Stone. She has been honoured with 10 Grammy Awards, and released her last album, Where My Heart Belongs, in 2014.
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