After this initial success their subsequent releases flopped and resulted in the group breaking up. Unfortunately, they also broke their contract with Dot and were prevented from recording for four-and-a-half years. Knight continued his studies in chemistry at the Tennessee State University where he formed vocal trio the Fairlanes. In 1967, Knight was spotted performing with the Fairlanes in Nashville, and was offered a contract as a solo artist by the Rising Sons label. His first recording, “Everlasting Love”, written by label owners Buzz Cason and Mac Gayden, was an immediate success, reaching number 14 on the R&B charts, and actually did better on the pop side (number 13). This enduring song was an even bigger success in Britain the following year where a cover version by Love Affair reached number 1, and in doing so, kept the singer from progressing further than a Top 40 position. Knight scored two further pop hits at home, “Blessed Are The Lonely” and “Isn’t It Lonely Together”. In 1973, he overshadowed his previous chart entry in the UK when “Love On A Mountain Top” reached the Top 10. However, the reissued “Everlasting Love” went some way to making amends the following year, this time achieving Top 20 status. He continues, perhaps wisely, to advance his career in chemical research, while occasionally performing and recording. As for his signature song, “Everlasting Love,” it has been revived and returned to hit status several times over the years, including by Carl Carlton in 1974, a duet between Rex Smith and Rachel Sweet in 1981, and Gloria Estefan in 1995. Robert Knight is currently an employee at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he works on the grounds crew. |
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