'Pops' Staples blues marker goes up on Miss. trail

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Staples was born on a farm near Winona on Dec. 28, 1914. He began playing blues as a youngster in the Delta...

TheGrio Staff

Dec 17, 2010

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The latest marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail is dedicated to Roebuck “Pops” Staples, who was a well-known gospel singer and patriarch of the Staple Singers music group.

Mississippi Development Authority tourism officials say the marker was placed on Summit Street near the courthouse in Winona on Thursday.

Staples was born on a farm near Winona on Dec. 28, 1914. He began playing blues as a youngster in the Delta. MDA historians say Staples soon embarked on a gospel singing career leading the Staple Singers to international fame and crossover success in the rhythm & blues and pop fields.

Staples died in Dolton, Ill., in 2000.