Valerie June Celebrates Mavis Staples’ 85th Birthday With ‘Friendship’ Cover Featuring Carla Thomas

Singer-songwriter Valerie June honored “her hero” Mavis Staples in advance of the legendary vocalist’s upcoming 85th birthday with a recording of “Friendship.” June sought another legendary singer, Stax icon Carla Thomas, for the newly released single, which also features students at Stax Music Academy.

“Friendship” originally appeared on Mavis Staples’ late father Pops Staples’ posthumously released 2015 album, Don’t Lose This, which Mavis co-produced with Jeff Tweedy. Mavis Staples rose to prominence alongside her father and siblings in the 1960s as the influential group The Staples Singers. Mavis Staples will celebrate her 85th birthday on July 19.

The new single marks the second collaboration between June and her “close friend and mentor” Carla Thomas. The 81-year-old Thomas contributed to the song “Call Me A Fool” on June’s 2022 album, The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers.

“Without Mavis and Carla, the students would not have the Stax Music Academy or the rich legacy they’ve paved for the community to thrive through educating the next generation of musicians,” June said. “To have a dear friend like Carla sing it in celebration of another queen — Mavis — is a full circle gift.”

June produced “Friendship,” which was recorded in Memphis at Stax Music Academy, an after-school and summer music program located near Stax’s original facilities. The track follows the recent release of “High Note,” a song June wrote for Mavis Staples also featuring the Stax Music Academy students.

Listen to Valerie June’s cover of “Friendship” featuring Carla Thomas and Stax Music Academy in celebration of Mavis Staples’ upcoming 85th birthday below: