Mavis Staples
Mavis Staples
Mavis Staplesis an American rhythm and blues and gospel singer, actress, and civil rights activist. She has recorded and performed with her family's band The Staple Singers, and also as a solo artist...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionSoul Singer
Date of Birth10 July 1939
CityChicago, IL
CountryUnited States of America
among hear
If you don't get out among the people, how are you going to know what they need to hear about?
amazing life musical walks
It's been an amazing life. It's really just been the most magical thing for me - and I have these musical friends from all walks of life.
wonderful wonderful-life asks
I just had a wonderful life, and I couldn't ask for anything else.
school kids years
One day, when I was about eight years old, some kids pushed me on stage at school during a talent show because they knew I could sing.
uncles school home
My uncle was 16, in junior high, and he heard me singing and snatched me off the stage. I thought he was happy and was going to pat me on the head and say I was good. But he took me home and told my grandmother this youngin' was at school singing the blues.
mother grandma home
I started writing letters home to my mother, saying that I wanted to come home, grandma won't let me sing.
kids fighting boys
I would get in fights a lot. My voice was so heavy, kids would say you sound like a boy, so I would start beating them up.
kings drs dr-martin-luther-king
I have to pinch myself sometimes. It's unbelievable, but it's not. Because I know that this would not be happening if it hadn't been for Dr. Martin Luther King.
age flip cartwheels
If I wasn't my age, I would turn a flip. I would do some cartwheels. That's how I feel.
running church enough
I was not fortunate enough to run into Obama. We were at the same church per se, but I would never be there when he was there.
enough looking-good stills
I'm old enough to be Obama's grandmom. But I still like seeing good-looking things. Nothing wrong with that.
song father singing
I feel so good singing songs that I sang with my father.
dream kings drs
Well Lord, I'm still on the case. I'm still doing what Dr. King and Pops want me to do. I'm still on that freedom highway, and I'm going to walk on it until Dr. King's dream is realized.
hands want hearing
I won't wear rings and jewelry on the stage because I don't want you looking at my hands. I want you hearing what I'm saying.