Mavis Staples celebrates her 87th birthday

musicJul 10, 2026451,713

Mavis Staples celebrated her 87th birthday on July 10, with posts recalling decades of work as a singer and civil‑rights activist. Several posts shared concert memories, including The Staple Singers' Wattstax appearance in 1972 and recent live sets such as a June performance at Nelsonville Music Festival and a Symphony Center Chicago program aired in 2023 on PBS. One announcement noted Mavis has two shows booked at London’s Union Chapel next month. Commenters highlighted her collaborations with Prince, David Byrne, Aretha Franklin, Ry Cooder, Nona Hendryx, Arcade Fire and Bob Dylan. A frequently quoted line from Staples in the thread read, "I never sang for a Grammy, for money, for fame. That's my whole purpose for singing: for people, for the fans."

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

15226h ago

Kathy21

Check her out in this film with mahalia Jackson

Jeremy Nicholl Photography18

Absolutely excellent! Thanks for that.

Ignatz13

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

AlanG 🇨🇦10

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

Clint Scoles9

Saw her open for Trombone Shorty in KC a few years ago. Tremendous show

Acy8

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

Quoting this

Regina Schrambling 5

And she’s at Summerstage in NYC next week.

Indigoiis3

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

Kristin Myrtle2

Hmmmm best cover OF ALL TIME?!?!

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

301h ago

Tom Reagan’s Hat8

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

@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.

332h ago

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'......

231h ago

Mr Natural

@neilmatheson66.bsky.social

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

238h 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.

142h 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)

109h 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?...

62h ago

ismua ᴮˡᵘᵉˢᵏʸ ᴱˡᵈᵉʳ📯 🌈⛵💜

@ismua.bsky.social

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

93h ago

Johnny Borgan

@johnnyborgan.bsky.social

Happy birthday to the wonderful Mavis Staples "Human Mind" - Mavis Staples (LIVE on The Late Show) youtu.be/93iJcfvkdYw?...

58h ago

Mel

@onairmel.lpm.org

Friday the great Mavis Staples celebrates her 87th birthday, so tomorrow’s Diner will feature your favorite tunes from Mavis solo, w/ the Staple Singers, or any other of her collaborations with other artists! What’s your pick? (1 x person) Listen at 8am tomorrow on 91.9 WFPK, lpm.org or the LPM app!

522h ago

Supadope1

Melody Cool from Prince's Graffiti Bridge soundtrack. It's probably my favorite off the soundtrack. And, that reminds me, I gave my daughter a middle name, Melody. I need to play that for her. Cheers!

Jill Sargent Russell, PhD

@jsargentr.bsky.social

That time Mavis Staples took ownership of The Weight. youtu.be/TCSzL5-SPHM?...

41h ago

Beauty of a Game

@beautyofagame.bsky.social

At the very end of this version of “The Weight” you can hear Mavis exclaim in a whisper “beautiful” and it’s damn hard to disagree with her. m.youtube.com/watch?v=TCSz...

1Just now

Shyra Lynn

@shyralynn.bsky.social

I never sang for a Grammy, for money, for fame. That's my whole purpose for singing: for people, for the fans. - Mavis Staples (b. July 10, 1939) www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GYy...

24h ago

CodaQueen

@codaqueen.bsky.social

Song Of The Day - Part 1 Today is the 87th birthday of the magnificent Mavis Staples To mark it I'm sharing two songs from her career. This first track sees her performing with her family's band, The Staple Singers, at Wattstax in 1972. 1/2 youtu.be/oab4ZCfTbOI?...

28h ago

1 source

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

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