The Resume

(1952-1994)
Born in Chicago, Illinois
Roebuck 'Pops' Staples (1914-2000)
Son Pervis (November 18, 1935-May 6, 2021)
Daughters Cleotha (April 11, 1934-February 21, 2013), Yvonne (October 23, 1937-April 10, 2018) and Mavis (1939- )
Recorded the singles 'Uncloudy Day' (1956), 'For What It's Worth' (1967), 'Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom-Boom)' (1970), 'Respect Yourself' (1971), 'I'll Take You There' (1972), 'If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)' (1973), 'Touch a Hand, Make a Friend' (1974) and 'Let's Do It Again' (1975)
Appeared in the films 'Wattstax' (1973) and 'The Last Waltz' (1978)
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1999)

Why they might be annoying:

They were accused of 'selling out' when they moved from gospel to soul and pop.
Although they boasted about recording 'music with a message,' their first Top 40 hit was the inane bubblegum song 'Heavy Makes You Happy.'
Pops and Mavis recorded love duets.

Why they might not be annoying:

They were called 'God's Greatest Hitmakers.'
Their gospel number 'This May Be the Last Time' was turned into the hit 'The Last Time' by The Rolling Stones who did not credit the group.
They began recording protest songs after Pops heard Martin Luther King, Jr. and announced, 'If he can preach this, we can sing it.'
Pops said, 'We want people to enjoy the music, but we also want them to hear the lyrics and hear our message - love.'

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 14]
• Flip Wilson Show Guests
• Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (Ranked: 2005)
• I am from Chicago
• I Covered a Bob Dylan Song
• I Performed on American Bandstand [R-Z]
• I Recorded Billie Holiday’s ‘God Bless the Child’
• Midnight Special Performers [L-Z]
• My Song Hit #1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart [1970s] (Ranked: 1972)
• My Song Hit #1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart [1970s] (Ranked: 1973)
• My Song Hit #1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart [1970s] (Ranked: 1975)
• My Song Hit #1 on Billboard's US Singles Chart [1970's] (Ranked: 1972)
• My Song Hit #1 on Billboard's US Singles Chart [1970's] (Ranked: 1975)
• My Song is on Rhino's 'Have a Nice Decade: The 70's Pop Culture Box'
• My Song is on Rhino's 'Say It Loud: A Celebration of Black Music in America'
• New Musical Express' Top Tracks [1984] (Ranked: 5)
• Profiles 23501-23750 (Ranked: 23648)
• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Members (Ranked: 1999)
• Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time - 201-300 [Performers] (Ranked: 276)
• Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time - 401-500 [Performers] (Ranked: 462)
• Stax Artists

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 12 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 15 Votes: 46.67% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 59 Votes: 45.76% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 7 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 30 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 28 Votes: 39.29% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 19 Votes: 57.89% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 22 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 32 Votes: 68.75% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 45 Votes: 46.67% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 82 Votes: 34.15% Annoying