James Newman III: The Life of Gladys Knight’s Eldest Son

James Newman III was the eldest son of American singer Gladys Knight, also known as the Empress of Soul. He worked as his mother’s music manager and helped her establish a gospel record label. He was also a husband and father of five children. James died in Las Vegas in July 1999 at the age of 36.

Quick Facts About James Newman III

James Newman III’s Early Life

James Newman III was born on August 13, 1962, in the United States. He was the first surviving child of Gladys Knight and her first husband, James Newman II. His parents named him after his father.

At the time of his birth, his mother was building her singing career with Gladys Knight & the Pips. She had already been performing for several years but had not yet reached her greatest commercial success.

In her autobiography, Gladys described James as a beautiful baby with thick hair. She also shared a story about her unusual pregnancy cravings and how doctors joked about his appearance when he was born.

James grew up with his younger sister, Kenya Maria Newman, who was born in 1963. His mother later had another son, Shanga Ali Hankerson, from her second marriage.

His Parents and Family Background

James’s mother, Gladys Knight, married his father, James Newman II, in 1960 when she was 16 years old.

His father was a musician from Atlanta, Georgia. Before James was born, Gladys experienced a miscarriage during her first pregnancy.

Their marriage later faced problems. In her autobiography, Gladys discussed her husband’s struggles with drug addiction and the difficulties she experienced while raising their two young children.

The marriage eventually ended, and Gladys continued raising James and Kenya while working in the music industry.

James remained connected to his mother’s career as an adult and eventually became her manager.

Who Is Gladys Knight?

Gladys Knight is an American singer known for her work in soul, R&B, pop, and gospel music. She was born on May 28, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia.

She became famous as the lead singer of Gladys Knight & the Pips. The group recorded several successful songs, including “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “Neither One of Us,” and “If I Were Your Woman.”

Gladys later developed a successful solo career and received several Grammy Awards.

She is widely known as the Empress of Soul because of her contributions to American music.

James Newman III was involved in the business side of her career during the 1990s. He managed her professional activities and supported her work in gospel music.

James Newman III’s Siblings

James had one younger sister and one younger half-brother.

His sister, Kenya Maria Newman, was born in 1963. She attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas and later worked in marketing. In 1997, she started a cake business in Las Vegas. She married Jimmy Jackson.

His half-brother, Shanga Ali Hankerson, was born in 1976. His father is Barry Hankerson, Gladys Knight’s second husband.

Shanga became involved in the restaurant business in Atlanta, including restaurants associated with the Gladys Knight name.

The three siblings followed different professional paths, with James working mainly in music management.

James Newman III’s Education

One biographical account reports that James attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The same account states that he later studied at the University of San Diego and graduated in 1984. It also mentions his interest in football during his school years.

However, his university education, graduation year, and sporting activities have not been independently confirmed by the available sources.

His Career as Gladys Knight’s Manager

James Newman III worked behind the scenes in the music industry rather than pursuing a singing career.

By the 1990s, he was managing his mother’s professional career through Newman Management Inc.

A 1997 report in the Deseret News identified James as Gladys Knight’s manager. The Las Vegas Sun also discussed his management work in 1999.

His company operated in Southern Nevada, where other businesses connected to the Knight family were also based.

As her manager, James was involved in the business activities surrounding his mother’s music career. His work also included supporting new recording projects and helping develop business opportunities.

A later biography claims that he accepted a senior position connected to Blackground and Virgin Records in 1999. However, that appointment has not been independently verified.

His Work with Many Roads Records

In 1999, James helped Gladys Knight establish Many Roads, a record label focused on gospel music.

The label supported her gospel album Many Different Roads and was also intended to work with other gospel artists.

According to reporting by the Las Vegas Sun, James brought several songs to his mother’s attention during the project.

One of those songs was “Jesus’ Love Is Like a River,” which had a connection to U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch.

Many Roads was among James’s final known professional projects before his death in 1999.

His Involvement in Music Industry Legislation

James also became involved in discussions about recording contracts and bankruptcy legislation.

In 1999, a proposed change to bankruptcy law raised concerns among performers because it could affect their ability to end certain recording contracts through bankruptcy proceedings.

According to an account attributed to the Los Angeles Times, Gladys Knight was asked to help present the performers’ concerns to Senator Orrin Hatch.

James reportedly explained the artists’ position to the senator during the discussions.

The issue later moved toward a compromise. This involvement shows that James’s professional activities extended beyond managing his mother’s recordings and performances.

James Newman III’s Wife and Children

James Newman III was married to Michelene Newman. Her first name is also spelled Micheline in some biographical reports.

The couple lived in Las Vegas and had five children together.

Their three sons were Rishawn, Stefan, and Sterling. Their two daughters were Nastasia and Gabrielle.

The Las Vegas Sun identified his wife and five children among his surviving family members following his death in 1999.

Information about his wedding date, his wife’s professional background, and his children’s current activities is limited.

His Religion and Gladys Knight’s Baptism

Religion was an important part of James Newman III’s personal life.

He became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His wife and sister were also connected to the church.

Gladys Knight was raised with Christian beliefs, but she was not initially a member of the same church as her children.

She later became interested in their religious beliefs after observing changes in their lives.

In 1997, Gladys joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and James baptized her.

His involvement in his mother’s baptism became one of the better-known details about their personal relationship.

His Relationship with Gladys Knight

James shared both a family relationship and a professional partnership with his mother.

He lived near Gladys Knight in Las Vegas and worked closely with her during the later years of his life.

Reports also describe his support during her struggles with gambling. Gladys had publicly discussed problems with gambling during her life.

James’s responsibilities included managing her career and supporting her move into gospel music.

In a 1997 interview reported by the Deseret News, Gladys described her three children as her greatest blessing.

Their relationship was also connected through religion, particularly after James baptized her in 1997.

James Newman III’s Death

James Newman III died at his home in Las Vegas in July 1999. He was 36 years old.

Some later biographies give his exact death date as July 10, 1999.

Heart failure has been reported as his cause of death. However, the Las Vegas Sun’s initial reporting stated that an official cause of death was still pending.

At the time of his death, James was managing his mother’s music career and had recently helped establish the Many Roads gospel label.

He was survived by his wife, five children, mother, sister, and half-brother.

James Newman III’s Net Worth

James Newman III’s personal net worth was not reliably documented.

He earned his living through music management and was involved in business projects connected to Gladys Knight’s career.

However, there are no confirmed public figures showing his total earnings, assets, or net worth at the time of his death.

James Newman III’s Legacy

James Newman III is remembered for his work as Gladys Knight’s manager and his involvement in her gospel music projects.

Through Newman Management Inc., he handled business activities connected to his mother’s career. He also helped establish Many Roads and supported the release of Many Different Roads.

His participation in discussions about recording contracts was another part of his professional work.

Outside music, his role in Gladys Knight’s baptism remains an important part of their family history.

Although he died at 36, his career included music management, record label development, and work on issues affecting recording artists.

Facts About James Newman III

• James Newman III was born on August 13, 1962.
• He was the eldest son of Gladys Knight and James Newman II.
• His younger sister was Kenya Maria Newman.
• His younger half-brother is Shanga Ali Hankerson.
• He managed his mother’s career through Newman Management Inc.
• He helped establish the gospel record label Many Roads in 1999.
• He supported Gladys Knight’s album Many Different Roads.
• He reportedly participated in discussions about recording contracts and bankruptcy legislation.
• He baptized his mother into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1997.
• He was married to Michelene Newman and had five children.
• He lived in Las Vegas for many years.
• He died in July 1999 at the age of 36.

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