Pervis Staples of The Staple Singers Passes Away at 85

Pervis Staples of famed gospel group The Staple Singers has passed away. He was 85.

Staples, passed away suddenly on May 6 at his home in Dolton, Illinois, according to Adam Ayers, a member of Staples' team.

The Staple Singers were one of the most celebrated acts in gospel and soul, with powerful songs such as “Uncloudy Day,” “Why Am I Treated So Bad,” “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There."

“Pervis was one of a kind — comical and downright fly," Mavis Staples said in a statement. "He would want to be remembered as an upright man, always willing to help and encourage others. He was one of the good guys and will live on as a true Chicago legend.”

Pervis Staples was born on Nov. 1935 in Drew, Mississippi, and his the family later moved to Chicago. He and his siblings were influenced to create gospel music by their father, Roebuck “Pop” Staples, and the family starting making albums with Untied Records. That was the beginning of The Staples Singers.

Pervis was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Staple Singers in 1998. The group also scored a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.