GLADYS Knight will be appearing at the first direct arena in Leeds on July 5.

The Empress Of Soul and seven-time Grammy Award-winning icon will be performing all her classic hits, including Midnight Train To Georgia, Help Me Make It Through The Night, Licence To Kill, The Way We Were, Baby Don’t’ Change Your Mind and You’re The Best Thing (that ever happened to me), plus tracks from her latest album Where My Heart Belongs.

Gladys began her music career in the 1950s when she performed alongside her brother, sister and cousins in The Pips.

In 1959 saw the group take on a new name Gladys Knight and The Pips and they secured their first big hit in America with a cover version of Every Beat of My Heart. They received international recognition when they signed up to the world famous Motown record label.

Gladys has recorded more than 40 albums and enjoyed number one hits on the Pop, Gospel, R&B and Contemporary charts. She has also been honoured with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, has a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame and has dozens of TV, film and theatre credits.

Tickets are available from firstdirectarena.com or phone 0844 2481585.