Mavis Staples member of the infamous Staple Singers Family and solo artist since the mid-sixties won her first solo Grammy this year February 2011 for her album YOU ARE NEVER ALONE, at the age of 71, she said "This has been a long time coming." and “The world has not heard the last of me yet”. Amen!
Her family began their musical career in the 1950’s singing in church, and a local radio station and eventfully took their show on the road, lead by patriarch Roebuck “Pops” Staples on the guitar, with the voices of Mavis and her siblings Cleo, Yvonne & Pervis. They scored a hit in 1956 “Uncloudy Day” and they were dubbed "God's Greatest Hitmakers.” They had become America’s pop gospel singers, and their spiritual music was the inspiration and musical voice of the civil rights movement at the time. In the 1970’s they hit the top 40 charts eight times and had two number ones; “I’ll Take you There” and “Let’s Do It Again”.
Prince's, Paisley Park produced 2 of her albums in 1989 & 1991 resulting in 6 single released; TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE, followed by 1993's THE VOICE, which People magazine named one of the Top Ten Albums of 1993. She later released a soundtrack album, A PIECE OF THE ACTION, on Curtis Mayfield's Curtom label, and still records at major studios
In December of 2008 while appearing on National Public Radio, Mavis was asked about her past personal relationship with Bob Dylan, she admitted "we were good friends, yes indeed" and that he had asked her father for her hand in marriage. We all know that didn’t happen, but they have remained close friends. In fact Mavis & Bob were nominated in 2003 for a Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for their duet of “Gotta Change My Way of Thinking” from the album GOTTA SERVE SOMEBODY: THE GOSPEL SONGS OF BOB DYLAN.
Mavis Staples has recorded with a wide variety of musicians, from her friend Bob Dylan to Ray Charles, George Jones, Natalie Merchant, Ann Peebles, and Delbert McClinton. She also has provided vocals on current albums by Los Lobos and Dr. John, and she still holds a heavy touring schedule.
This Album includes Randy Newman’s’ “Losing You”, Allen Toussaint’s’, “Last Train”, and “Wrote A Song For Everyone” by John Fogerty, plus songs written by her Dad “Pops” Staples and her current producer Jeff Tweedy, and others. She has inspired us for many decades sharing her rich gritty vocals while keeping “Eyes on The Prize” (WE’LL NEVER TURN BACK) bringing us contemporary pop hits with positive messages. She is a living legend of our time.
http://www.mavisstaples.com/
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