William Guest, famed singer of The Pips and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, died at the age of 74 on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24), ushering a heartfelt tribute from Gladys Knight, the face of Gladys Knight & The Pips.
The singer's passing, which was the result of congestive heart failure, was confirmed by his daughter Monique to The Associated Press. She stated "My heart is broken, but I know his legacy will live on."
On Gladys Knight's Facebook page, the singer, who recently released a new soulful single titled "Just a Little," paid tribute to her lost bandmates, and in particular, William Guest. "God in His infinite love and wisdom has a purpose and plan for each of our lives when we come to this earth and when we return home to Him," she proclaimed.
"I trust him in that. My mother, Elizabeth Knight, always prayed for his guidance in raising up his children to one day be his worthy servants. She heard us singing in the back yard at Bubba's birthday, September 4th, 1952 and founded a group of family kids who became Gladys Knight & the Pips! We have lost many along the way; Edward Patton, Eleanor Guest, and now William Guest. We tried using our gifts of music in a way that would be pleasing to God. Please, take care of their journeys home and I say thank you Lord for a long and wonderful ride."
Guest's background vocals were featured on the group's biggest hits, including 1967's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," 1973's "Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)" which snagged them a Grammy, as well as the unforgettable Motown hit "Midnight Train to Georgia."
Since their breakup in 1989, Guest had appeared in a 2007 Geico commercial with "Bubba" Knight, and he released an autobiography titled Midnight Train From Georgia: A Pip's Journey. Guest's sister-in-law, Dhyana Ziegler, who helped him finish the autobiography, told The Associated Press, "I am so glad we finished the book, so his wonderful life and legacy will be celebrated throughout eternity... I loved my brother so much."
