Mavis Staples
Mavis talks to Matt about the first key musical moments in her life and career to date.
Mavis talks to Matt about the first key musical moments in her life and career to date.
She talks about her earliest experiences signing in church, the Staple Singers distinctive vocal and musical style, but also the racism and violence they faced touring in the late 50s and early 60s, especially in the American South. She also discusses her memories of performing for Martin Luther King; her father Pops was friends with him.
She talks about recording with The Band. The Staple Singers's version of The Weight that closes The Band live film The Last Waltz is regarded as one of the greatest pieces of music ever captured on celluloid. She discusses her more recent output, which has seen her collaborated with Benjamin Brooker and Wilko's Jeff Tweedy, who produced her most recent record If All I Was Was Black.
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Mavis Staples on first meeting Martin Luther King Jr.
Duration: 02:46
Music Played
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The Staple Singers
I'll Take You There
- Stax.
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The Staple Singers
We'll Get Over
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The Staple Singers
Will the Circle Be Unbroken
- Will The Circle Be Unboken?.
- Cornbread Records.
- 1.
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The Staple Singers
Uncloudy Day
- Uncloudy Day.
- Joy Special.
- 1.
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The Staple Singers
Freedom Highway
- Freedom Highway.
- Columbia.
- 1.
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Mavis Staples
Take Us Back
- Livin' On A High Note.
- Anti.
- 1.
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Benjamin Booker
Witness (feat. Mavis Staples)
- Witness.
- Rough Trade.
- 3.
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The Staple Singers
If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)
- Heart Full Of Soul 2 (Various Artist.
- Global Television.
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The Staple Singers
Why? (Am I Treated So Bad)
- Epic.
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The Band
The Weight
- Capitol Records.
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Mavis Staples
Little Bit
- If All I Was Was Black.
- Anti.
- 1.
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Mavis Staples
Who Told You That
Broadcasts
- Sun 18 Feb 2018 13:00Â鶹ÊÓƵAV Radio 6 Music
- Tue 30 Jul 2019 01:00Â鶹ÊÓƵAV Radio 6 Music
- Wed 15 Jul 2020 01:00Â鶹ÊÓƵAV Radio 6 Music
- Sun 20 Sep 2020 13:00Â鶹ÊÓƵAV Radio 6 Music
- Thu 1 Apr 2021 01:00Â鶹ÊÓƵAV Radio 6 Music
- Thu 12 Aug 2021 01:00Â鶹ÊÓƵAV Radio 6 Music
- Wed 4 May 2022 01:00Â鶹ÊÓƵAV Radio 6 Music
- Thu 2 Mar 2023 02:00Â鶹ÊÓƵAV Radio 6 Music
The first record I ever bought… by Noel Gallagher, Janelle Monae, Florence Welch, Thom Yorke, Elton John and many more
A selection of major artists reveal their first musical purchase.
Podcast
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The First Time With...
Interviews with major artists revealing the moments and songs that shaped their careers.
