YVONNE STAPLES,
1937-2018

Yvonne Staples, who managed the business affairs of the band featuring her father and sisters while also singing background vocals, died Tuesday of colon cancer at her home in Chicago. She was 80.

She began singing with The Staple Singers in 1971 as the group crossed over into R&B from gospel and had hits with “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There.” She joined the group after her brother Pervis was drafted into the Army.

She also managed business affairs and tours for her sister Mavis when she started a solo career in the 1980s. Yvonne retired several years ago.

She was inducted as a member of the Staples Singers into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Gospel Hall of Fame this year, received a lifetime achievement award at the 2005 Grammy Awards and the Rhythm and Blues Foundation’s Pioneer Award.