Blues-gospel Legend in Lexington Feb. 1
Spectacle Management is presenting Mavis Staples at Cary Memorial Hall in Lexington on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 8 p.m.
For tickets — at $59 to $49 — call 617-531-1257 or go to www.caryhallshows.com.
For more than 60 years, from her early days with The Staples Singers to her recent work with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, Staples has been a legend of the gospel and blues.
She is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and a National Heritage Fellowship Award recipient. VH1 named her one of the 100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll, and Rolling Stone listed her as one of the 100 greatest singers of all time.
Staples was recently nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Americana Album for One True Vine.
Born in Chicago, she has been performing professionally since she was a child. She joined her family’s group, The Staple Singers, at age 11.
Over the next several decades the group had several pop hits, including “Respect Yourself,” “I’ll Take You There,” “If You’re Ready (Come Go with Me)” and “Let’s Do it Again.”
The Staple Singers also played a key role in the music of the Civil Rights Movement, thanks in part to a friendship Mavis’s father had with Martin Luther King Jr., performing gospel music as well as covers of contemporary protest songs, including “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall” and “For What It’s Worth.”
While continuing her work with The Staple Singers, Mavis also began to release solo recordings starting in 1969. Her latest release, 2013’s One True Vine, reunites her with Tweedy, who collaborated with her on her 2010 Grammy Award winning album, “You Are Not Alone.” A gospel album for the 21st century, the music of “One True Vine” strives for faith in a world where nothing can be taken for granted.
There are no additional fees to order tickets by phone or online.
Cary Hall is at 1605 Mass. Ave., Lexington. A number of parking options are within a short walk. For detailed information about parking, click here >>
Cary Memorial Hall, named for Isaac Harris Cary, was built in 1928 with a donation from two daughters. The Colonial-style building, with its grand auditorium, has provided the community with a year-round site for musical programming and popular events for more than 80 years. It has been the longtime home of the Lexington Symphony and many other civic and community events throughout its history.
For more information about area resources, visit the Lexington tourism website as well as the Merrimack Valley Visitor’s Bureau site.
Other Concerts at Cary Hall
The Irish Rovers, Sunday, March 23, at 3 p.m.
The Manhattan Transfer, Thursday, April 10, at 8 p.m.
Spectacle Management is a full-service booking, marketing and promotion company based in Boston. For more information on Spectacle Management, Cary Memorial Hall, the 2013-2014 Cary Hall Concert Series, or to request artist photos or interviews, please contact Pete Lally at plally at specmgt.com or 617-531-1257.