Today, Music Video Monday celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with one of his favorite groups: Memphis’ own Staple Singers.
The Staple Singers began their career in the 1950s, when Roebuck “Pops” Staples organized his talented family into a gospel group, singing in his brother’s Chicago church. They were doing Civil Rights and social justice anthems from the beginning. Their take on “Uncloudy Day” was a major influence on Bob Dylan, and their 1965 live album Freedom Highway was dedicated to the memory of Emmet Till. Their greatest successes came after signing with Stax in 1968. “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There” both topped the charts in 1971 and 1972. Today, at age 78, Mavis Staples is still working, bringing politically charged soul to the masses. Just last year, she had a hit duetting with Arcade Fire. Here’s Mavis and the family on Soul Train in the winter of 1973 singing their third massive hit in a row, “Come Go With Me”.
Music Video Monday MLK Special: The Staple Singers
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