Nationwide — Gladys Knight’s husband, William McDowell, has responded to growing concerns about the singer after she appeared confused during recent performances. His comments come after renewed questions about her health and earlier claims from her son that she has dementia. The 82-year-old singer says she plans to reduce her performances as she moves into the “next stage” of her career.
The concerns grew after several recent concerts, including her July 25 performance at the Hollywood Bowl. While singing “Midnight Train to Georgia,” Knight turned her back to the audience and started walking off the stage. A backup singer reached for her arm, but she pulled away and continued toward the exit.
Tour personnel had reportedly expressed concerns about her performing before that show. According to TMZ, one source called the situation “tragic,” while another said her April concert in Las Vegas with Smokey Robinson had been even more troubling. Some people involved with the tour reportedly wondered whether she could be showing signs of dementia.
William McDowell, Knight’s husband and manager, said she has not been diagnosed with dementia. He acknowledged that touring can be demanding but said no one is forcing her to perform and that she still wants to sing. The family plans to have her evaluated by a doctor, while McDowell continues to monitor how she handles her performances. When she is able to sing, her voice remains strong.
Fans have also raised concerns after seeing her struggle during other shows. At a Detroit concert, Knight reportedly took several breaks offstage and appeared exhausted. Some audience members left before the performance ended because they did not want to watch her in that condition. She had been scheduled to perform through mid-November, but McDowell said her September 5 show could become an important point in deciding whether she should continue the remaining dates.
McDowell is also looking for ways to make performing easier for Knight. He said he is building a facility near their North Carolina home so she can continue performing without the strain of traveling. Knight has since announced that she plans to cut back on her performances and spend more time with her husband and grandchildren as she enters what she called the “next stage” of her life. In a statement shared through McDowell, Knight thanked her fans for supporting her throughout her decades-long career. She said their support helped make her childhood dream of becoming a singer a reality and expressed her gratitude for the love they have shown her over the years.