She took us there.

February 25, 2013 4:43 AM

When Staple Singers hits like I’ll Take You There and If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me) came on the radio, it was easy to get lost in Mavis Staples’ raspy, soulful lead vocals. But if you listened closer, a key element in the Chicago gospel-soul group’s warmly distinctive sound was the deft soprano harmony of Mavis’ sister Cleotha Staples, who died on Feb. 21 at age 78 in Chicago. RIP Cleotha Staples.
posted by flapjax at midnite (17 comments total)

Cleotha's soprano was an indispensable part of the Staples sound. I'd heard that she was suffering from Alzheimer's in recent years.

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posted by Currer Belfry at 4:53 AM on February 25

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posted by trip and a half at 5:52 AM on February 25

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posted by Cash4Lead at 6:03 AM on February 25

Mercy!
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 6:08 AM on February 25

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posted by kinnakeet at 6:23 AM on February 25

♪ ^♪
posted by DigDoug at 6:31 AM on February 25

Trib obit.
posted by timsteil at 6:34 AM on February 25 [2 favorites]

Uncloudy day
posted by gwint at 7:31 AM on February 25

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(It's also a shame that the pic at the top of the Trib obit is of the Temptations. She deserves her picture up there bright as day).
posted by Leezie at 7:36 AM on February 25 [1 favorite]

Shame she suffered Alzheimer's we'll miss her voice.

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posted by Katjusa Roquette at 8:50 AM on February 25

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posted by steambadger at 9:09 AM on February 25

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posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:37 AM on February 25

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posted by colie at 12:30 PM on February 25

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posted by Rykey at 3:05 PM on February 25

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posted by Gelatin at 5:54 PM on February 25

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posted by 1367 at 7:25 PM on February 25

Dammit.

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posted by MexicanYenta at 4:13 AM on February 27