Mavis Staples is a legendary soul and gospel singer, known for her powerful voice and activism, both as a solo artist and with The Staple Singers, with hits like “I’ll Take You There.”
Albums:
- Rehab Reunion (album)
Instruments:
Early History and The Staple Singers
Mavis began her career singing with her family in The Staple Singers, a gospel group formed by her father, Roebuck “Pops” Staples. Her sisters, Cleotha and Yvonne, and brother, Pervis, rounded out the group. The Staple Singers started as a gospel act in the 1950s, performing traditional spirituals and gospel tunes. However, as the 1960s unfolded, the group began incorporating socially conscious messages into their music, inspired by the civil rights movement and Martin Luther King Jr., with whom they had a close personal relationship.
The Staple Singers were known for hits such as “I’ll Take You There”, “Respect Yourself”, and “Let’s Do It Again” in the 1970s, blending gospel, soul, and funk in a way that resonated with a broad audience. Mavis Staples’ deep, rich voice became the group’s defining feature, leading their hits and transforming gospel into a commercial genre with a social message. They were influential in bridging the gap between sacred and secular music.
Solo Career
While The Staple Singers had considerable success, Mavis Staples also pursued a solo career, beginning with her debut self-titled album in 1969. Her solo work continued to blend gospel, R&B, and soul, but she ventured deeper into politically charged music and collaborations.
In the 1980s and 1990s, her solo career gained new momentum with collaborations that crossed genre boundaries. Prince took an interest in her music, producing two albums for her: “Time Waits for No One” (1989) and “The Voice” (1993), which introduced her to a younger generation of listeners.
In the 2000s, Staples experienced a revival in popularity, largely due to her work with producer Jeff Tweedy of Wilco. Their collaborations resulted in critically acclaimed albums such as “You Are Not Alone” (2010), which won a Grammy Award for Best Americana Album, and “One True Vine” (2013). These albums blended gospel, blues, and roots music with modern production, earning her widespread acclaim.