Mavis Staples

There is no mistaking the deep grainy contralto of national treasure Mavis Staples. Whether it's a 1950s side with the Staple Singers, or a solo cut recorded over half-a-century later, Mavis' voice is instantly identifiable, likely to lift the spirit and inspire anyone within earshot. Mavis came up with her familial group, the Staple Singers. Led by her father, Roebuck "Pops" Staples, they balanced gospel and secular music like no one before or after them, and in the process became both stars and respected Civil Rights activists. With eight Top 40 pop singles through 1975, inc...