Staples, Yvonne (1939–)

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Staples, Yvonne (1939–)

African-American singer. Name variations: The Staple Singers, The Staples. Born 1939 in Chicago, IL; dau. of Roebuck "Pops" Staples (singer) and Oceola Staples (singer); sister of Cleo, Mavis and Pervis Staples (all singers).

With family, sang gospel and pop in early years; appeared in documentaries, Soul to Soul (1971), Wattstax (1973), and The Last Waltz (1978); had success with album Bealtitude: Respect Yourself (1972); had hit singles with "Respect Yourself," "I'll Take You There," "If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)," "Let's Do It Again" and "New Orleans"; with group, adopted name The Staples and released Top-20 singles, "Love Me, Love Me, Love Me" (1976) and "Unlock Your Mind" (1978). Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1999).