The Pips announced they were leaving Buddha records for a new label today (August 25, 1977).
The Pips, who had backed Gladys since their formation in 1959, announced they were leaving Buddah for Casablanca Records.
The pips were signed to Buddah in 1973, by the label’s president, Neil Bogart.
The group had secretly signed a deal with Buddah Records and held off on making any announcements, for fear of angering her former boss, Motown head honcho Berry Gordy.
Gladys Knight’s final single, “Neither One of Us (Wants To Be The First to Say Goodbye),” was actually promoted by Buddah.
As soon as the single peaked at #2 two on the charts, Buddah released Gladys Knights debut album Imagination.
Imagination featured the smash single “Midnight Train to Georgia,” which earned the group a Grammy Award.
But Neil Bogart left to start Casablanca Records in 1973 and by 1977, The Pips had grown disenfranchised with Buddah and went to record with their former business associate.
The Pips’ new plans called for them to begin touring as a separate entity, but they planned to occasionally record with Gladys.
Gladys remained with Buddah Records until 1979, when she switched to Columbia.
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