STAPLE SINGERS, THE

STAPLE SINGERS, THE. Gospel group (fl. 1950s-70s; org. in Chicago, Illinois). The Staple family moved to Chicago, Illinois, in 1935. The father, Roebuck, and his children began singing for church and community events in the 1940s and, encouraged by friends, organized a gospel group in 1948. Roebuck sang lead and played guitar; Mavis (1941) sang contralto; Cleotha, soprano; Pervis (1937), baritone. About 1965 Yvonne joined the group. During the 1950s The Staples toured widely, performing from a…