Yvonne Staples died Tuesday, having defined herself as the baritone voice of the Staples Singers before passing away at age 80 in her hometown of Chicago.
Family friend Bill Carpenter confirmed the news, citing colon cancer as her cause of death, The New York Times reported.
Yvonne Staples didn't spend her career center stage, preferring to provide background vocals for her family's hit-making pop and soul group.
"She had no desire to be a front singer, even though people in the family told her she had a great voice," Carpenter said, per The New York Times.
Born in Chicago in 1937, Yvonne Staples' interest in music began at an early age, when she would sing in church with her siblings, Rolling Stone said.
The family band was formed in 1948 by her father, Roebuck "Pops" Staples and originally featured Cleotha, Pervis and Mavis Staples.
When Pervis Staples was drafted into the Vietnam War, Yvonne Staples stepped in to replace him in 1971.
The group started off performing in churches statewide, but shortly after Yvonne Staples joined, the group exploded onto the international music scene, topping the Billboard charts with various hits including "I'll Take You There," "Respect Yourself" and "Let's Do It Again," Variety noted.
The Staples secured their place in history in 1999, when the singers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the New York Daily News said.
Roebuck "Pops" Staples died in December 2000 and Yvonne Staples' sister, Cleotha Staples, died in 2013 after battling Alzheimer's for 12 years.
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