Staples, Mavis (1940–)

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Staples, Mavis (1940–)

African-American singer. Name variations: The Staple Singers, The Staples. Born 1940 in Chicago, IL; dau. of Roebuck "Pops" Staples (singer) and Oceola Staples (singer); sister of Cleo, Yvonne and Pervis Staples (all singers).

Sang with family on album Bealtitude: Respect Yourself (1972); had such hits as "Respect Yourself," "I'll Take You There" and "If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)" (1973); also had hit with title track from film, Let's Do It Again, and "New Orleans" (1974); with group, adopted name The Staples and released Top-20 singles, "Love Me, Love Me, Love Me" (1976) and "Unlock Your Mind" (1978); released several solo albums, including Only for the Lonely (1976), Time Waits for No One (1984), and Spirituals and Gospel: Dedicated to Mahalia Jackson (with Lucky Peterson, 1996); performed with Prince, Aretha Franklin, and Ray Charles, among others. Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1999).

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