R&B icon’s son makes disturbing claim about her being worked to death: ‘Quote me on that’

Alabama Life & CultureGladys Knight performs at a special screening of "Summer of Soul" at The Richard Rodgers Amphitheater at Marcus Garvey Park on June 19, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Jason Mendez/Invision/AP, File)Jason Mendez/Invision/APBy Brian Linder | blinder@pennlive.comThe son of R&B legend Gladys Knight is speaking out after recent reports surrounding the 82-year-old singer’s well-being, and what he is saying is concerning.Knight announced back on Aug. 27 that she would cut back on her touring, but she has continued on. Her husband and manager, William McDowell, said that he would evaluate her health after her Sept. 5 concert in Tulsa and make a decision about her future. But her schedule remains busy.“He never intended to stop any tour dates, as you can see for yourself,”Shanga Hankerson told The Detroit News. “My belief and fear is that he intends to literally try to work her until she passes away. And you can quote me on that.”The Detroit News reported that Hankerson said he believes that Knight is the victim of elder abuse. He also claimed that his mother is showing signs of cognitive decline. McDowell, however, said Knight has bad days but has not been diagnosed with dementia. “The fact Mr. McDowell would even make a statement that further evaluation is necessary to stop my mother from working at this point, considering all of the blatant visual evidence the public is now seeing, should tell you everything you need to know about him and his motives,” Hankerson told The Detroit News. McDowell has yet to respond to Hankerson’s claims. Knight has been performing since 1948. She is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Brian Linder is the trending editor at PennLive.com. He has more than 20 years of experience working for newspapers first in South Carolina, then Daytona Beach, Florida and now in Pennsylvania. Linder spent...