Gospel singer Mavis Staples will be honored in a tribute concert called I’ll Take You There – 75 Years of Mavis Staples, in her hometown of Chicago.
Many in the star-studded lineup are country music artists, but that does not mean that there will be a lack of variation in performance. According to Rolling Stone, now the concert’s lineup now includes Gregg Allman, Ryan Bingham, Eric Church, Patty Griffin, Glen Hansard, Taj Mahal, Michael McDonald, Buddy Miller, Aaron Neville, Widespread Panic, Grace Potter, Jeff Tweedy, Spencer Tweedy, Emmylou Harris, Joan Osborne, Keb’ Mo’ and Marty Stuart. All of these artists will be performing classics from Staples’ repertoire. Staples will also be getting onstage to showcase the talent being honored, with performances of her songs with the Staple Singers and Stax Records, as well as her solo hits.
Staples has collaborated with country legends Griffin, Willie Nelson and Tweedy in the past. She has also covered Bob Dylan and Stephen Stills tracks and has even made an appearance at the Coachella Music Festival. This broad musical history encompasses what the tribute concert is celebrating: Staples’ impact on music and popular culture as a whole.
In addition to her musical career, Staples was also an activist in the Civil Rights movement. Her songs “I’ll Take You There” and “Why (Am I Treated So Bad)” were powerful messages that reflected on issues and focused on change. The idea of using music as a social reform tool has not been lost in modern culture. Staples told Rolling Stone, “It makes me feel so good that these young people want to hang with me.”
Tickets to I’ll Take You There will go on sale on September 29th and the event will also be taped for future broadcast for those who miss the event or want to relive it.
UPDATE: Win Butler and Régine Chassagne of Arcade Fire have been added to the lineup of the tribute as well.
I’ll Take You There – 75 Years of Mavis Staples
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Nov 19: Chicago, IL – The Auditorium Theater
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