William Guest, One Of Gladys Knight's Pips, 74, Passes

William Guest: One Of The Pips

WILLIAM GUEST, a member of GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS, died on THURSDAY (DECEMBER 24th) in DETROIT of congestive heart failure at the age of 74, his sister and biographer DHYANA ZIEGLER told ASSOCIATED PRESS.

GUEST was a member of the GRAMMY-winning group from 1953 to 1989, when they disbanded, performing background vocals on hits such as "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" and "Midnight Train To Georgia."

"My heart is broken, but I know his legacy will live on," said GUEST's daughter, MONIQUE GUEST, in a statement.

GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS were inducted into the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME in 1996 and the APOLLO HALL OF FAME in 2006. "Love Overboard" earned the group a GRAMMY for Best R&B Performance, while "Midnight Train To Georgia" earned them enshrinement into the GRAMMY HALL OF FAME. The group were also recipients of the RHYTHM AND BLUES FOUNDATION's LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.

After the group ended, GUEST and fellow PIP, the late EDWARD PATTEN, formed a production company. GUEST later served as CEO of CREW RECORDS. He released his autobiography "Midnight Train From Georgia: A Pips Journey" in 2013 with ZIEGLER.

"I am so glad we finished the book, so his wonderful life and legacy will be celebrated throughout eternity," ZIEGLER said. "I loved my brother so much."

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