ROEBUCK ‘POP’ STAPLES, father and head of the legendary gospel/soul group THE STAPLE SINGERS, has died.
Roebuck, who suffered concussion after a fall in his Chicago home, was 84 years old.
The Staples Singers – comprising former bluesman Roebuck, his wife Oceala and their children, Cloetha, Pervis and Mavis – are best known for the rousing anthems ‘I’ll Take You There’ and ‘Respect Yourself’.
They were initially signed to the famed Stax record label, home of Otis Redding and Sam and Dave where they recorded mostly secular material before moving into the anthemic soul arena popularised by the likes of Curtis Mayfield and Sam Cooke.
Roebuck’s eldest daughter Mavis conducted lead vocals on the majority of the records and subsequently became the best known member. Prince signed her to his Paisley Park record label but her father followed in her footsteps when he recorded his own debut album, 1992’s Grammy nominated ‘Peace In The Neighborhood’.