William Guest | One of the Pips, 74

William Guest, 74, a member of Gladys Knight and the Pips, has died of congestive heart failure Thursday in Detroit, according to his sister-in-law Dhyana Ziegler.

Mr. Guest performed throughout the life of the Grammy-winning group, 1953 to 1989. He sang background vocals on hits such as "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "Midnight Train to Georgia."

Mr. Guest's daughter, Monique Guest, said in a statement: "My heart is broken, but I know his legacy will live on."

Gladys Knight and the Pips were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Apollo Hall of Fame in 2006.

After the group ended, Mr. Guest and another member, the late Edward Patten, formed a production company. Mr. Guest later served as CEO of Crew Records. He released his autobiography, Midnight Train From Georgia: A Pips Journey, in 2013 with Ziegler.

"I am so glad we finished the book, so his wonderful life and legacy will be celebrated throughout eternity," Ziegler said. - AP