At least two musicians have won the game of chicken. Soul goddess Gladys Knight and the late gospel stalwart Ron Winans opened Gladys and Ron's Chicken and Waffles in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1997, the same year Winans suffered his first massive heart attack. While other chicken and waffle restaurants existed decades prior, Knight and Winans' big names helped convince a nation that yes, four whole fried wings served atop a plate-sized waffle and drenched in syrup and butter - a.k.a. The Midnight Train - is an awesome idea. Even professional glutton Adam Richman of Man vs. Food can't resist bursting into song before filling his gullet. Oddly (or not), they speak of Winans as if he's still alive, despite his death from heart disease in 2005.
We'd be remiss if we didn't mention St. Louis' own connection to musical fame and chicken. Robbie Montgomery, owner of Sweetie Pie's, left her spot as an Ikette for Ike and Tina Turner, and vocalist in the girl group The Mirettes, to go into the restaurant business. Although she's best known locally for her killer mac and cheese, she fries up some fine chicken wings.
Tomorrow: Celebrities who've ventured into the food business who probably should have stayed away...
