Legendary Singer Mavis Staples Continues to Inspire with New Music

Entertainment | June 25, 2024, 7:23 a.m.

At the iconic downtown Chicago building where she resides, Mavis Staples, renowned singer and Civil Rights activist, reflects on her legendary career, faith, and friendship with Bob Dylan. Their history dates back to the 1960s when Dylan proposed to her at the Newport Folk Festival. Despite rumors of Dylan's retirement, Staples urges him to keep singing, knowing he would hate to stop. At 84 years old, after 76 years on the road with the Staple Singers, the iconic gospel group she led alongside her family, Staples decided to retire, leaving behind a legacy of blending genres and advocating for social change. As the last surviving member of her family band, Staples is celebrated as a historical treasure with her powerful contralto voice still in high demand. Her influence in music and activism continues to resonate, leaving an indelible mark on the industry and society as a whole.