Mavis Staples celebrates her 87th birthday

musicJul 10, 2026262,641

Mavis Staples turned 87 on July 10, 1939, and fans marked the day by sharing concert memories and favorite tracks from her long career. Born in Chicago, Staples rose to fame singing with the Staple Singers and continues to draw attention for both solo work and collaborations with artists such as Prince, David Byrne, Aretha Franklin, Ry Cooder, Nona Hendryx, Arcade Fire, and Bob Dylan. Posts commemorating the birthday pointed listeners to the documentary MAVIS! by Jessica Edwards and to live clips and performances, including Staple Singers appearances and Staples solo sets. Announcements from fans noted two shows at London’s Union Chapel scheduled for next month, and a radio program planned a Mavis-focused set airing tomorrow at 8 a.m. on 91.9 WFPK. The day’s tributes combined personal concert recollections, video links to classic performances, and recommendations for listening to her recordings.

Birmingham 81

@birmingham81.bsky.social

Happy birthday to Mavis Staples. Here are the Staple Singers with their version Slippery People by Talking Heads. Mavis has two shows lined up at London's Union Chapel next month

224445d ago

Kathy25

Check her out in this film with mahalia Jackson

Jeremy Nicholl Photography21

Absolutely excellent! Thanks for that.

Ignatz17

I saw her live as the opener for Bob Dylan (who almost never has an opener). She was so terrific.

AlanG 🇨🇦15

I'll bet the members of Talking Heads would really like that cover. It sounds like it was made for them!

Barry Wilbur 🇮🇪 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 ☮️13

She was amazing in The Weight from The Last Waltz Best version ever. www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCSz...

Acy12

Her collab with #Hozier gives me chills! Bob Dylan wanted to marry her. He proposed in 1963. 🥰 youtu.be/OBKPI5t9xI8?...

Quoting this

Regina Schrambling 8

And she’s at Summerstage in NYC next week.

Indigoiis7

@peskyfoxtail.bsky.social you share a birthday with a legend!

Kristin Myrtle3

Hmmmm best cover OF ALL TIME?!?!

Lizanne Flynn (we/ours)2

I loved her performance with James Taylor and Steve Tyler at the Kennedy Center Honors Paul McCartney. youtu.be/BEGwgUcKgUQ?...

DocBray Is Tired, Boss2

I *adore* this cover :3

Zenevas Muroa2

I first heard of the Staples Singers when I saw Pop Staples in True Stories. Loved them ever since.

DoctorNurse ❌👑2

She's 87 and still performing!

Strictly 4 My Navigators

@lizzslockeroom.bsky.social

Happy Birthday, Mavis Staples 🎂🎊🥳🎈🎉 Decades of entertainment. Love you, Mavis!!! 🗣I know a place....ain't nobody cryin'......

5245d ago

Tom Reagan’s Hat

@rufustsuperfly.bsky.social

It’s the mighty Mavis Staples’ birthday. Seen here with Pop Staples & The Band performing a joyous version of a classic: youtu.be/Z2eTW8qZBtk

4745d ago

Tom Reagan’s Hat16

Dazzling Talking Heads cover youtu.be/89Ee4WKYr-0?...

Cathy P.H.1

I love that performance from TLW. Mavis whispers ‘beautiful’ at the very end. Sweet.

Cathy P.H.1

Mavis is still performing and strong as ever.

@NewsJennifer (Jennifer Schulze)

@newsjennifer.bsky.social

This is incredible. Mavis- a Chicago icon. The Staples Singer- also icons. Performing on Soul Train- the iconic program that originated here in Chicago thanks to the genius of Don Cornelius.

4045d ago

Mr Natural

@neilmatheson66.bsky.social

Happy 87th birthday, gospel/blues singer and civil rights activist Mavis Staples. 🎂

3645d ago

Monkey

@monkeypicks.bsky.social

Happy Birthday to the greatest living American: Mavis Staples 🙌🏽

3845d ago

Craig Pittman

@craigtimes.bsky.social

Oooweee, y'all, it's #FunkyFriday! Today's get-down groove honors the marvelous Miss Mavis Staples, who's turning 87. If you need a ride to her party, she says you can go with her.

2145d ago

Terry Buckalew

@terrybuckalew.bsky.social

Mavis Staples’ birthday. I’ve only seen her once, but it was a good show. At a sparsely attended gospel festival in Helena in 2010 or so. youtu.be/RFu9qnI3APo?...

1945d ago

Drew Makes Movies 🎬🍿

@drewmakesmovies.bsky.social

Today’s the perfect day to watch the documentary “MAVIS!” by Jessica Edwards on the incredible singer, Mavis Staples #MavisStaples #botd #musicdoc #documentary www.mavisfilm.com/watch 🎬🎶🎵🎤🎞️🎥

1645d ago

ismua ᴮˡᵘᵉˢᵏʸ ᴱˡᵈᵉʳ📯 🌈⛵💜

@ismua.bsky.social

#MeinSongDesTages zum heutigen 87. Geburtstag von Mavis Staples. Happy Birthday 🎊🎂 Mavis Staples - I'll Take You There

2045d ago

Danyel Smith

@danyelsmith.bsky.social

Today is July 10. That means it’s Mavis Staples’ birthday.

1344d ago

Greg Kot

@gregkot.bsky.social

Happy 87th to Mavis Staples, the gift that keeps on giving.

1644d ago

Huey1

"I would have come on this tour just to bring her coffee." --Neko Case, between songs at a Mavis Staples show at the Kennedy Center a few years back

Mayor of Greater Chicagoland

@thedazzlingone.bsky.social

this is the only way to greet Mavis Staples <3 <3 <3

1245d ago

The_Philadelphian

@the-philadelphian.bsky.social

Happy 87th, Mavis Staples. "If you're walking 'round thinkin' that the world owes you something 'cause you're here You goin' out the world backwards like you did when you first come here" #musicsky #BlackHistory Legendary WattStax Concert 1972 youtu.be/tDm74sLw2fM?...

945d ago

The Vinyl Arrears

@thevinylarrears.bsky.social

#OnThisDay 1930 Mavis Staples born The Staples Singers member was born in Chicago As well as singing with her family band she has also collaborated with Prince,David Byrne,Aretha Franklin,Ry Cooder,Nona Hendryx,Arcade Fire and Bob Dylan (who she had a romantic relationship with)

1145d ago

1 source

mavisstaples.bandcamp.comUntil I Met You, by Mavis Staples

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Mavis Staples celebrates her 87th birthday

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