How 'Midnight Train to Georgia' Gave Gladys Knight & the Pips a Fresh Start

Gladys Knight and the Pips were two decades into their career when they released their signature song, “Midnight Train to Georgia”. Formed in 1952, the legendary band was comprised of Gladys Knight, her brother Bubba Knight and their cousins William Guest and Edward Patten. They were originally signed to Motown Records in1966 but found their time on the label to be an uphill battle, with acts like Marvin Gaye, the Temptations and the Supremes given priority.

Their eventual 1973 signing to Buddha Records ended up giving them an unexpected fresh start. For their debut single on the label, they recorded a new version of Jim Weatherly's folky track "Midnight Plane to Houston,” pulling from a Cissy Houston cover of Weatherly's song that had already changed the city and mode of transportation in the title. The rest is history, with "Midnight Train to Georgia" becoming the group's biggest and most signature track.

On this week’s episode our hosts are joined by the song's engineer and mixer Ed Stadium, who shares the fascinating history of how this song came together, as well as an alternate version of the song from his archives. Listen in as they explore why this track remains a standout in the group's illustrious career and the emotional depth that Gladys Knight's voice brings to the song.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:16 Personal Connection to 'Midnight Train to Georgia'
01:17 History of Gladys Knight and the Pips
05:11 The Evolution of 'Midnight Train to Georgia'
20:41 Recording 'Midnight Train to Georgia'
30:15 Conclusion and Credits