The Staple Singers

The Staple Singers on the Soul Train

The Staple Singers
Founding:	1951
Resolution:	-
Genre:	Gospel , soul
Founding members
Vocals / guitar :	Pops Staples
Singing :	Mavis Staples
Singing :	Cleotha Staples
Singing :	Pervis Staples
Current or last occupation
Singing :	Mavis Staples
Singing :	Yvonne Staples

The Staple Singers is an American gospel - singing ribbon , which brought a number of singles in the charts from the 1960s to the 1980s.

history

The band came together in 1951 when Blues - guitarist Roebuck "Pops" Staples , along with his daughters Cleotha and Mavis and his son Pervis front of a church congregation in Chicago sang. They signed first with United Records , then with Vee-Jay and finally in 1960 with the jazz and folk-oriented label Riverside Records . This started a short time in which the Staples mainly made follow-up recordings and which was later continued at Epic . Why (Am I Treated So Bad) and the Stephen Stills cover For What It's Worth hit the lower regions of the US charts in 1967 .

In 1968 the band signed with Stax Records . The first two albums Soul Folk in Action and We'll Get It Over were produced by Steve Cropper , Booker T. & the MG's acted as the backing band. 1970 Pervis Staples then left the Singers, who found a replacement in his sister Yvonne Staples. The new producer was Al Bell , who directed the band's music in the direction of funk . In total, the Staple Singers had 12 hits on Stax, including Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom) and I'll Take You There , which reached number one in the single charts. After Stax got into financial difficulties, Curtis Mayfield took the band to his Curtom Records label, where they had the number one hit Let's Do It Again .

In 1979 the band didn't have that much success at Warner Brothers , then signed to Private I in 1984 and hit the R&B charts five more times. In 1994 the Staple Singers took part together with Marty Stuart and the song The Weight on the sampler Rhythm, Country & Blues . In 1999 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame . “Uncloudy Day” appeared on The Wire's “100 Records That Set the World on Fire (While No One Was Listening)” at number 123.

Pops Staples died on December 19, 2000, his daughter Cleotha (* April 11, 1934) on February 21, 2013 and his daughter Yvonne (* October 23, 1937) on April 10, 2018.

Discography

Albums

year	Title music label	Top ranking, total weeks, awardChart placementsChart placements (Year, title, music label , placements, weeks, awards, notes)			Remarks
		UK	US	R&B
1971	The Staple Swingers Stax 2034	-	US117 (11 weeks) US	R&B9 (18 weeks) R&B	First published: March 1971 Producer: Al Bell
1972	Be Altitude: Respect Yourself Stax 3002	-	US19 (37 weeks) US	R&B3 (26 weeks) R&B	First published: February 1972 Producer: Al Bell
1973	Be What You Are Stax 3015	-	US102 (21 weeks) US	R&B13 (24 weeks) R&B	First published: August 1973 Producer: Al Bell
1974	City in the Sky Stax 5515	-	US125 (9 weeks) US	R&B13 (15 weeks) R&B	First published: August 1974 Producer: Al Bell
1975	Let's Do It Again Curtom 5005	-	US20 (18 weeks) US	R&B1 (23 weeks) R&B	First release: September 1975 Soundtrack of the film Let's shoot another thing Producer: Curtis Mayfield
1976	Pass It On Warner 2945	-	US155 (5 weeks) US	R&B20 (11 weeks) R&B	First released: September 1976 as The Staples Producer: Curtis Mayfield
1977	Family Tree Warner 3064	-	-	R&B58 (4 weeks) R&B	First released: September 1977 as The Staples Producer: Eugene Record
1978	Unlock Your Mind Warner 3192	-	-	R&B34 (17 weeks) R&B	First published: October 1978 as The Staples Producers: Barry Beckett , Jerry Wexler
1984	Turning Point Private I 39460	-	-	R&B43 (9 weeks) R&B	First published: October 1984 Producers: Henry Bush, Pervis Staples, Gary Goetzman , Mike Piccirillo

More albums

• 1958: A Gospel Program ( split album , with The Caravans)
• 1961: Swing Low
• 1961: Swing Low Sweet Chariot
• 1962: Hammer and Nails
• 1962: The Twenty-Fifth Day of December
• 1963: This Land
• 1964: This Little Light
• 1965: Freedom Highway
• 1965: Amen!
• 1966: Why
• 1967: For What It's Worth
• 1968: What the World Needs Now Is Love
• 1968: Pray On
• 1968: Soul Folk in Action
• 1968: I Had a Dream
• 1969: We'll Get Over
• 1972: Tell It Like It Is
• 1973: Use What You Got
• 1980: Brand New Day
• 1981: This Time Around
• 1981: Hold On to Your Dream
• 1983: Staple Singers - Live
• 1985: The Staple Singers
• 1992: Pray On
• 1997: The Vee Jay Gospel Years
• 1999: In Praise of Him
• 2000: God's Wonderful World
• 2002: Uncloudy Day
• 2010: I've Been Scorned

Compilations

• 1959: Uncloudy Day
• 1960: Will the Circle Be Unbroken?
• 1962: The Best of the Staple Singers
• 1969: Gospel Gold
• 1971: The Staple Singers Make You Happy (2 LPs)
• 1972: Wattstax: The Living Word (4 tracks; further articles: Eddie Floyd , Carla Thomas , Rufus Thomas , The Bar-Kays , Albert King , The Soul Children and Isaac Hayes ; 2 LPs)
• 1973: Good News
• 1973: The Best of the Staple Singers
• 1975: Great Day (2 LPs)
• 1977: 16 Golden Gospel Greats
• 1977: Stand by Me (2 LPs)
• 1978: The Legendary Staple Singers (2 LPs)
• 1979: Chronicle: Their Greatest Stax Hits
• 1986: Pray On
• 1986: The Best of the Staple Singers
• 1987: Respect Yourself: The Best of the Staple Singers
• 1990: Greatest Hits
• 1991: Freedom Highway
• 1995: Uncloudy Day
• 1998: The Best of the Staple Singers
• 1999: Gospel Greats
• 2000: Glory! It's the ... (2 CDs)
• 2000: Singing His Praises
• 2004: The Ultimate Staple Singers: A Family Affair 1955–1984 (2 CDs)
• 2006: Come Up in Glory: The Best of the Vee Jay Years, 1955–1961
• 2006: Stax Profiles
• 2007: The Very Best of the Staple Singers
• 2007: The Best of the Vee-Jay Years
• 2011: Platinum Gospel Collection
• 2015: Faith and Grace: A Family Journey 1953–1976 (box with 4 CDs)
• 2016: Four Classic Albums Plus Singles (4 CDs)

Singles

year	Title album	Top ranking, total weeks, awardChart placementsChart placements (Year, title, album , rankings, weeks, awards, notes)			Remarks
		UK	US	R&B
1967	Why? (Am I Treated So Bad) Why	-	US95 (1 week) US	-	First published: May 1, 1967 Author: Roebuck "Pops" Staples
	For What It's Worth (Stop, Hey What's That Sound?) For What It's Worth	-	US66 (4 weeks) US	-	First published: August 1967 Author: Stephen Stills Original: Buffalo Springfield , 1967
1970	I Have Learned to Do Without You Only for the Lonely	-	US87 (4 weeks) US	R&B13 (11 weeks) R&B	Initial release: June 1970 under Mavis Staples published authors: David Jordan, Don Davis, JJ Barnes
	Love Is Plentiful The Staple Swingers	-	-	R&B31 (5 weeks) R&B	First published: November 1970 Authors: Bettye Crutcher, Bobby Manuel
1971	Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom) The Staple Swingers	-	US27 (12 weeks) US	R&B6 (13 weeks) R&B	B-side of Love Is Plentiful Authors: Bobby Bloom, Jeff Barry Original: Bobby Bloom, 1970
	You've Got to Earn It The Staple Swingers	-	US97 (2 weeks) US	R&B11 (9 weeks) R&B	First published: June 1971 Authors: Cornelius Grant, Smokey Robinson Original: The Temptations , 1965
	Respect Yourself Be Altitude: Respect Yourself	-	US12 platinum (14 weeks)US	R&B2 (17 weeks) R&B	First published: September 1971 Grammy Hall of Fame + Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 468th place on the Rolling Stone 500 (2010 list) 358th place in the Songs of the Century ( RIAA , 2001 list) Authors: Luther Ingram , Mack Rice
1972	I'll Take You There Be Altitude: Respect Yourself	UK30 (8 weeks) UK	US1 gold (15 weeks)US	R&B1 (16 weeks) R&B	First published: March 1972 Grammy Hall of Fame Place 281 on the Rolling Stone 500 (list 2010) Author: Alvertis Isbell including a quote from Harry J. All Stars ' Liquidator , 1961
	This World Be Altitude: Respect Yourself	-	US38 (7 weeks) US	R&B6 (11 weeks) R&B	First published: July 1972 Authors: Gary William Friedman, Herb Schapiro Original: Wade Marcus, 1971
1973	Oh La De Da (Live) Wattstax: The Living Word	-	US33 (9 weeks) US	R&B4 (9 weeks) R&B	First published: February 1973 Recording: Wattstax -Festival, LA 1972 Author: Phillip Mitchell
	Be What You Are Be What You Are	-	US66 (6 weeks) US	R&B18 (8 weeks) R&B	First published: June 1973 Authors: Carl Hampton, Homer Banks, Raymond Jackson
	If You're Ready (Come Go with Me) Be What You Are	UK34 (6 weeks) UK	US9 gold (16 weeks)US	R&B1 (17 weeks) R&B	First published: September 1973 Authors: Carl Hampton, Homer Banks, Raymond Jackson
1974	Touch a Hand, Make a Friend Be What You Are	-	US23 (13 weeks) US	R&B3 (18 weeks) R&B	First published: January 1974 Authors: Carl Hampton, Homer Banks, Raymond Jackson
	City in the Sky City in the Sky	-	US79 (7 weeks) US	R&B4 (13 weeks) R&B	First published: June 1974 Authors: Charles Chalmers, Donna Rhodes, Sandra Chalmers
	My Main Man City in the Sky	-	US76 (3 weeks) US	R&B18 (12 weeks) R&B	First published: September 1974 Authors: Bettye Crutcher, Bobby Manuel, Larry Nix, Mack Rice
1975	Let's Do It Again Let's Do It Again	-	US1 gold (15 weeks)US	R&B1 (18 weeks) R&B	First release: September 1975 from the soundtrack of the film Drehn wir noch'n Ding Author: Curtis Mayfield
1976	New Orleans Let's Do It Again	-	US70 (6 weeks) US	R&B4 (13 weeks) R&B	First published: January 1976 from the soundtrack of the film Drehn wir noch'n Ding Author: Curtis Mayfield
	Love Me, Love Me, Love Me Pass It On	-	-	R&B11 (14 weeks) R&B	First published: October 1976 as The Staples. Author: Curtis Mayfield
1977	Sweeter Than Sweet Pass It On	-	-	R&B52 (5 weeks) R&B	First published January 1977 as The Staples Author: Curtis Mayfield
	See a Little Further (Than My Bed) Family Tree	-	-	R&B77 (5 weeks) R&B	First published: October 1977 as The Staples Authors: Barbara Acklin , Eugene Record
1978	I Honestly Love You Family Tree	-	-	R&B68 (6 weeks) R&B	First published: January 1978 as The Staples Authors: Peter Allen, Jeff Barry Original: Peter Allen, 1974
	Unlock Your Mind Unlock Your Mind	-	-	R&B16 (15 weeks) R&B	First published: September 1978 as The Staples Authors: David Coe, Michael Roe
1979	Chica Boom Unlock Your Mind	-	-	R&B82 (3 weeks) R&B	First published: February 1979 as The Staples Authors: Jimmie Cameron, Vella Cameron
1984	HATE (Don't Live Here Anymore) Turning Point	-	-	R&B46 (8 weeks) R&B	First published: April 1984 Authors: E. Thomas, G. Jackson, M. Franklin
	Slippery People Turning Point	UK78 (5 weeks) UK	-	R&B22 (14 weeks) R&B	First published: August 1984 number 4 (11 weeks) in the US dance charts Authors: David Byrne , Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, Tina Weymouth Original: Talking Heads , 1983
	This Is Our Night Turning Point	-	-	R&B50 (12 weeks) R&B	First published: November 1984 Authors: Gary Goetzman , Mike Piccirillo
1985	Are you ready? The Staple Singers	-	-	R&B39 (11 weeks) R&B	First published: August 1985 Authors: Charlie Allen, John Hill
	Nobody Can Make It on Their Own The Staple Singers	-	-	R&B89 (7 weeks) R&B	First published: December 1985 Authors: Gary Goetzman, Mike Piccirillo

More singles

• 1956: If I Could Hear My Mother (released January)
• 1956: Uncloudy Day (release: November)
• 1957: I'm Coming Home
• 1958: I Had a Dream (released May)
• 1958: Low Is the Way (released September)
• 1958: Since He Lightened My Heavy Load
• 1959: So Soon (released October)
• 1960: This May Be My Last Time
• 1960: Don't Drive Me Away (release: April)
• 1960: Pray On (release: October)
• 1961: Don't Knock (release: September)
• 1962: Hammer and Nails (release: June)
• 1962: Swing Low (release: August)
• 1962: Gambling Man (release: October)
• 1962: The Virgin Mary Had One Son (released November)
• 1963: Let That Liar Alone (released April)
• 1963: This Land (release: August)
• 1963: I'm So Glad (release: September)
• 1963: Wish I Had Answered (released November)
• 1964: More Than a Hammer and Nail (release: December 11th)
• 1965: Standing at the Bedside of My Neighbor
• 1965: Samson and Delilah (release: March 19th)
• 1965: Freedom Highway (release: July 2nd)
• 1965: Hammer and Nails / Samson and Delilah (release: October)
• 1965: What Are They Doing? (In Heaven Today) (released December 30th)
• 1965: Why? (Am I Treated Do Bad) (Promo; release: December 30th)
• 1966: I Will Trust in the Lord
• 1966: Step Aside (release: August 1st)
• 1966: Pray On (released November 18th)
• 1967: He (release: November 17th)
• 1968: Let's Get Together (release: February 9th)
• 1968: Crying in the Chapel (Mavis Staples with the Staple Singers; release: May 17th)
• 1968: Long Walk to DC (release: August)
• 1968: The Ghetto (release: December)
• 1969: (Sittin 'on The) Dock of the Bay (release: May)
• 1969: The Challenge (release: June)
• 1969: When Will We Be Paid (release: October)
• 1970: Help Me Jesus
• 1970: Give a Damn (release: March)
• 1970: Brand New Day (release: June)
• 1970: Who Took the Merry Out of Christmas (release: November)
• 1971: For What It's Worth (released May 27th)
• 1975: Back Road into Town (release: July)
• 1980: Mystery Train (release: October)
• 1981: Hold On to Your Dreams (release: October)
• 1982: Washington We're Watching You
• 2003: Going Away (Hilltribe vs. The Staple Singers)
• 2015: Faith and Grace (release: November 13th)

literature

• Warner, Jay: The Billboard Book of American Singing Groups. A History 1940–1990 . New York City / New York: Billboard Books, 1992, A. 300f.

swell

1. ↑ More information on this song in: Bronson, Fred: The Billboard Book of Number One Hits . 3rd revised and expanded edition. New York City, New York: Billboard Publications, 1992, p. 312
2. ↑ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame The Staple Singers in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
3. ↑ http://www.thedeadrockstarsclub.com/2013.html
4. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/10/obituaries/yvonne-staples-singers.html
5. ↑ ^{a b} Chart sources: UK Billboard Hot 100 Billboard 200
6. ↑ ^{a b} gold / platinum database US
7. ^ Joel Whitburn : Top R&B Albums 1965–1998, ISBN 0-89820-134-9
8. ^ Joel Whitburn : Hot R&B Songs 1942–2010: 6th Edition, ISBN 978-0-89820-186-4 .
9. ↑ ^{a b} RS500 Songs (List 2010)
10. ↑ Songs of the Century, RIAA (List 2001)
11. ^ Joel Whitburn : Hot Dance / Disco 1974-2003, ISBN 978-0-89820-156-7

Web links

• The Staple Singers on Allmusic (English)
• The Staple Singers at Discogs (English)
• Discography at 45cat.com
• Works by and about The Staple Singers in the catalog of the German National Library