Jean Knight - born Jean Caliste in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 26, 1943 –
is a soul and R&B vocalist best known for her 1971 single “Mr. Big Stuff”. She
began her career by singing at Laura’s Place, a bar owned by her cousin. In
1965, she recorded a demo that attracted producer Huey Meaux. Signing to the
label Jet Star/Tribe Records, she released four singles. After little success,
she left the music business in the late ‘60s to work in Loyola University’s
cafeteria. In early 1970, songwriter Ralph Williams asked her to record a few
songs, one of which was entitled “Mr. Big...