Robert Peebles was born in Franklin, Tennessee, United States, in 1940 according to family and official records,[2] though some sources give the year 1945.
[3] As Robert Knight, he made his professional vocal debut with the Paramounts, a quintet consisting of school friends.
[3] Knight attended Tennessee State University, where he studied chemistry and sang with the Fairlanes, a vocal trio.
[3] In 1967, after Knight was seen performing with the Fairlanes in Nashville at a Vanderbilt University fraternity, he was offered a contract as a solo artist by the Rising Sons label.
[7] Knight died at home in Nashville, Tennessee, aged 77,[8][9] 13 days before the 50-year anniversary of the first week of the Hot 100 peak date of his version of "Everlasting Love".