Candi Staton

While most people know Candi Staton for her disco anthems of the 70s, the first lady of southern soul has achieved so very much more.

Starting out in gospel choirs in the early fifties, learning to sing through the simple joy of expression and passion, she recorded several tracks with the Jewell Gospel Trio, appearing on the same bills as the likes of Aretha Franklin and The Staple Sisters before Candi ventured out on a solo career in 1968 to immediate critical acclaim. Her R&B rendition of country standard "Stand By Your Man" won her a Grammy nomination, as did her single "In The Ghetto" and she went on to record a slew of top 10 R&B hits.

By the early 70s Candi had become the queen of the disco, thanks in no small way to a series of killer records such as "Young Hearts Run Free", "Victim", "When You Wake Up Tomorrow" and "Nights On Broadway".  As the disco fire faded in the early 80s, Candi returned to her roots in the church and gospel music, recording her first gospel album in over 20 years "Make Me An Instrument" went on to win Candi her 3rd Grammy nomination cement her as the southern soul voice of a generation.

Then in 1991, Candi Staton would unwittingly break the hearts of a whole new generation of dance music enthusiasts when an unknown house producer by the name of John Truelove bootlegged the Frankie Knuckles/Jamie Principle tune "Your Love", replacing the lyrics with one of Candi's most obscure songs.
The result was the bone fide house classic "You've Got The Love", a tune so powerful it still resonates and reappears today, perfectly showcasing the power and emotion of Candi's spectacular vocal talents.

www.candi-staton.com