In Inglewood on April 18 at 8 p.m.
Blackbird Presents and Live Nation have announced The Mavis Staples 85th: All-Star Birthday Concert taking place on Thursday, April 18, at 8 p.m. at the YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park.
The concert will feature once-in-a-lifetime performances with Mavis Staples, Black Pumas, Chris Stapleton, Grace Potter, Hoizer, Jackson Brown, Jeff Tweedy, Keb’ Mo, Michael McDonald, Nathaniel Rateliff, Norah Jones, Robert Randolph, Taj Mahal, The War and Treaty and more to be announced.
Mavis Staples was born on July 10, 1939. Staples began her music career in the 1950s with her family, singing in church and even appearing on a local radio show. Staples and her family formed the Staple Singers which became the most spectacular and influential musical group in America. The Staple Singers became the spiritual and musical voice of the civil rights movement. Lots of songs sung by the Staple Singers were considered “message songs” such as “ Long Walk to D.C.” and “When Will We Be Paid?”.
Mavis Staples is considered a civil rights icon, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Staples Singers performed at civil rights movement rallies, and marches and were close to Dr. Martin Luther King. She also performed at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, sang in President Barack Obama’s White House, and graced the airways on Fallon, Colbert, Ellen, Austin City Limits, Jools Holland, and the Grammys.
Staples continued to release solo albums during and after her time with the Staple Singers. She has worked and collaborated with artists such as Aretha Franklin, Prince, Arcade Fire, Nona Hendryx, Ry Cooder, and David Byrne. Her eighth studio album, “You’re Not Alone” (2010), earned her critical acclaim and her first Grammy. Her most recent album was released in 2019, entitled “We Get By”. She has received three Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Blues Hall of Fame.
“At the end of last year, I was talking about retiring,” she said recently. “But after sitting with it for a while, I stopped myself and thought, ‘Well, what would I do?’ I asked the Lord, ‘Why am I still here? What do you want of me? Have you kept me around for a reason?’ And the only reason I could see was to sing my songs. That’s why I’m still here, and I’m looking forward to this show with my friends singing my songs, too!”
Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com. See the full show details by visiting mavisstaples85.com.
