Mavis Staples is a living legend whose voice has helped define the sound of American music for more than seven decades. Beginning her career as a child with Roebuck “Pops” Staples and the family group The Staple Singers, she became a powerful force in gospel, soul, and the Civil Rights Movement. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and Blues Hall of Fame, as well as a Kennedy Center Honoree and multiple Grammy Award winner, Staples has collaborated with artists ranging from Bob Dylan and Prince to Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, and Jon Batiste. Her extraordinary career, rooted in faith, perseverance, and social change, makes her the perfect artist to help celebrate the 170th Birthday of Newberry College, honoring a legacy of education, service, and community.

 

As part of this special anniversary celebration, Staples brings her timeless message of hope and resilience through her latest album, Sad and Beautiful World. Produced by Brad Cook, the project spans seven decades of the American songbook and features collaborations with artists including Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, Jeff Tweedy, Derek Trucks, Hozier, and Allison Russell. Through songs that embrace compassion in challenging times, Staples continues to inspire audiences with the same conviction and warmth that have defined her career. More than seventy years after first taking the stage, Mavis Staples remains a towering cultural figure whose music and message continue to unite generations, making this a fitting and memorable event in the celebration of Newberry College’s 170 years of history and achievement.

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