Gladys Knight’s Son Alleges Her Husband Won’t Stop Booking Shows, Fears For Her Health

Gladys Knight appears to be preparing for her next chapter after announcing that she plans to finish her remaining 2026 performances before pursuing new ventures next year.

What did Gladys Knight say about cutting back on performing?

The 82-year-old “Empress of Soul” shared the update Sunday, shortly after her son, Shanga Hankerson, raised health concerns and accused her husband and manager, William McDowell, 68, of continuing to book performances despite Knight’s plans to scale back, according to WSB-TV and The Detroit News.

“After heartfelt discussions with my team, I recognize that no matter how much I love lifting spirits in song, it’s time for the midnight train to make just a few more stops,” Knight wrote in an Instagram post on Sunday. “I’m finishing the year strong with my remaining performances. Looking forward to new ventures next year.”

The Atlanta native first announced Aug. 27 that she would cut back on performances and spend more time with her husband, grandchildren and other projects. She has continued performing since then, including a Sept. 9 show in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Knight’s son fears for her health as touring continues

Hankerson told The Detroit News that he believes McDowell never intended to reduce his mother’s touring schedule significantly.

“He never intended to stop any tour dates, as you can see for yourself,” Hankerson said. “My belief and fear is that he intends to literally try to work her until she passes away.”

Hankerson has also accused McDowell of exploiting Knight and said she has shown signs of cognitive decline. McDowell has acknowledged that Knight has difficult days but said she has not been diagnosed with dementia and wants to continue performing.

Knight still has performances scheduled across the country this fall

The concerns follow Knight’s Sept. 5 performance in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which one concertgoer claimed ended early. Paul Gregory Richard wrote on Facebook that Knight performed for about an hour before the concert was stopped.

“It was hard to watch and we all cheered her on and loved on her just the same,” Richard wrote, according to The Detroit News. “They shut the concert down after only one hour of her segment, she just could not continue.”

For now, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer is scheduled to perform through the fall. She has several upcoming dates on Oct. 7 in Pennsylvania, Oct. 9 in Virginia, Oct. 10 in New Jersey and Nov. 14 in California, according to her tour schedule.

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