Candi Staton

Candi Staton

Candi Staton is an American singer from Hanceville, Alabama, active in gospel, soul, R&B, disco, funk and electronic music. Born Canzetta Maria Staton in 1940, she begins performing as a gospel singer and later moves between gospel and secular music across a long career.

Early career and gospel work

Staton sings with the Jewell Gospel Trio and, as a teenager, tours the traditional gospel circuit in the 1950s with The Soul Stirrers, C. L. Franklin and Mahalia Jackson. Between 1953 and 1963, the trio records several sides for Nashbro, Apollo and Savoy Records. She launches a solo career in 1968.

Soul, R&B and disco records

Staton builds a strong R&B catalogue at Fame Studios, where she has 16 R&B hits. She also receives Grammy nominations for cover versions of country standards. In 1975 she begins working with disco producer Dave Crawford and has hits including Young Hearts Run Free and Victim.

Later gospel and dance success

In 1982 Staton returns to gospel and forms Beracah Ministries with her husband John Sussewell. In 1991 she has a UK top 10 hit as The Source featuring Candi Staton with the dance track You Got The Love. The song becomes one of the recordings most closely associated with her, alongside Young Hearts Run Free.

Other details

On the road, Staton is backed at one point by The Mighty Majors, who record You Can Never Go Back. Her work is associated with soul, disco, R&B, dance and related styles.