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The Last Waltz Changed Mavis Staples Life

05/19/2015
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(The Blues) Mavis Staples says her family group's spot in the classic concert film The Last Waltz changed her life. The Staples Singers didn't appear at The Band's farewell show at The Fillmore West - but they did join the group later on a soundstage for a version of The Weight for the movie.

Staples tells Rolling Stone: "Being in The Last Waltz was the most beautiful thing that ever happened to the Staples Singers. I still can't get offstage without doing The Weight. We were already close friends with The Band by then, with Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson and Rick Danko. Danko would keep you laughing! He was really cool."

The 1968 original version of The Weight remains one of her favorite tracks of all time, along with You Are Not Alone, the title track from her 2010 album, co-written with Jeff Tweedy. Read more and see the video clip from the film here.

The Blues Magazine is an official news provider for antiMusic.com.
Copyright The Blues Magazine - Excerpted here with permission.

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