October 8, 2009
Knight to retire, says Jackson

Gladys Knight (WENN.COM file photo)

Soul legend Gladys Knight is set to retire from music after her current U.K. tour, according to her close pal Tito Jackson.

The Midnight Train to Georgia singer is playing a series of high-profile shows in Britain this month and is joined on the bill by her contemporaries Dionne Warwick and The Jacksons.

The jaunt has been dubbed the Farewell U.K. Tour - and Jackson has confirmed fans' fears the Empress of Soul is ready to hang up her mic after 57 years in the music business.

He says, "I am very excited about (the tour) because her bringing the Jackson 5 to the business and then me being part of her farewell tour - it's come full circle.

"It seems that she might be retiring. I will definitely talk to her about it because we will definitely miss her."