Mavis Staples at Cary Hall, Lexington, on Feb 1.

Born in Chicago, Mavis Staples 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 Mavis' father's friendship 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."

Mavis Staples at Lexington's Cary Hall on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 8pm. Tickets are $59-$49 and are on sale now by calling (617) 531-1257 or at www.caryhallshows.com.