July 10 …

Mavis Staples is a gospel and soul singer whose career made her a defining voice in American music and a persistent cultural force for civil rights and social justice.

Born on July 10, 1939 in Chicago, Staples joined the Staple Singers as a child and completed high school in 1957 before dedicating herself fully to the group. Growing up in Chicago after her parents relocated from Mississippi, she absorbed the influences of gospel, blues, and spirituals that shaped her distinctive vocal style. While she briefly considered pursuing nursing, her musical education came primarily from performing with her father, Pops, and her siblings Cleotha, Yvonne, and (formerly) Pervis, which centered on church performances and tours from the 1950s onward.

As the lead vocalist of the Staple Singers and later as a solo artist, Staples garnered widespread acclaim for her ability to blend gospel fervor with soul and R&B, helping the family group achieve crossover success on the pop charts with hits such as “I’ll Take You There,” “Respect Yourself,” and “Let’s Do It Again.”

Staples’ solo career began with a self-titled album on Stax in 1969. It continued with acclaimed works in the 21st century, including You Are Not Alone in 2010, which won a Grammy for Best Americana Album.

Staples’ artistic influences and mentors include her father, Pops Staples, who shaped the group’s repertoire and social consciousness, and the great gospel tradition represented by Mahalia Jackson, a family friend and inspirational figure. She also fostered significant artistic relationships with contemporaries like Bob Dylan — who became a long-time personal and professional friend — Dr. John, and Prince, who produced some of her projects, as well as members of Booker T. & the M.G.’s during the Stax era.

Staples’ contemporaries included gospel, soul, and R&B legends like Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, and Curtis Mayfield. She has influenced a diverse range of artists, from Bonnie Raitt to Run the Jewels and Jon Batiste, with younger musicians frequently seeking her out as a collaborator and source of inspiration. Many modern singers regard her as an idol and a direct influence on their work.

Throughout her career, Staples has received numerous accolades, including a Kennedy Center Honor in 2016, a National Heritage Fellowship from the NEA, and Grammy awards for subsequent recordings and collaborations. The Staple Singers were also inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Beyond her musical accomplishments, Staples holds a significant place in the Civil Rights Movement and American culture. The Staple Singers provided a powerful soundtrack for the movement with their message songs and public support for leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mavis’ repertoire consistently intertwined spiritual conviction with social commentary.

The deep, resonant voice of Mavis Staples and her refusal to separate sacred from secular music expanded the reach of gospel-informed singing into mainstream popular music. This legacy has been celebrated through institutional awards, archival recognitions — including entries in the National Recording Registry for the Staple Singers’ work — and enduring critical praise for maintaining a career that connects mid-20th-century gospel traditions with contemporary American music and activism.