Mavis Staples

Starting her career with The Staple Singers in the 1950s with the hit "Uncloudy Day," Mavis Staples has managed to maintain a fairly successful decades-long career that has spawned nearly countless memorable R&B, gospel and soul songs. After releasing music with her eponymous family band throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Mavis struck out on her own with her debut solo LP in 1969. In true form on her solo material, Mavis displays great power with her voice and demonstrates a mighty devotion to the gospel singers who have come before her, paving the road for her career's trajectory. Turning 70 years old in 2009, Mavis shows no signs of slowing down and she frequently appears at music festivals around the United States.