William Franklin Guest was an original member of the iconic, soulful, multi-Grammy-winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group, Gladys Knight & the Pips. He was there when the group formed out of friendships and family, playing in churches back in 1952. He was with them for nearly four decades, known as the best dancer of the group, on stage performing hits like Midnight Train To Georgia, I've Got to Use My Imagination, Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me, and I Heard It Through the Grapevine. His story has never been told.Until now. With the release of Midnight Train from Georgia, musical fans will learn not only the details of his storied life, but they will read an inspiring tale about the bonds of family, love, church and music. They will also learn a bit about the music industry and the birth of Motown. It is the time of The Apollo, Soul Train, Ed Sullivan Show, and Dick Clark. It’s both a personal story – and one of music history. William’s sister-in-law, Dhyana Ziegler, also a songwriter, interviewed William over several years before he died in 2015. The book, which received the Bronze from the Fall 2024 BookFest Awards and an International Impact Book Award in December, 2024, is based off of edited transcripts of those interviews, along with some commentary from Dhyana. Midnight Train from Georgia chronicles the incredible rise of Gladys Knight and the Pips from their origins singing in a small Atlanta church to their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. When two families' destinies intertwined at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, they discover the extraordinary musical talents of their children. Young cousins William, Eleanor Guest, Gladys, Brenda Knight, and Bubba Knight unite their heavenly vocals to form The Pips gospel choir.We follow William from his formative years in Atlanta, where his love of music is kindled by evenings listening to his family perform rhythmic gospel songs on their porch. The Pips' journey takes them from these humble back-porch jam sessions to struggle and sacrifice on the road to stardom. With faith, fortitude and William's grandmother's lessons to guide them, the group overcomes adversity through the transcendent power of their music.
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