Labelle, Patti (1944–)
Labelle, Patti (1944–)
African-American singer. Name variations: Labelle, The Ordettes, Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles (aka BlueBelles). Born Patricia Louise Holt, Oct 4, 1944 (some sources cite May 24), in Philadelphia, PA; m. Armstead Edwards; children: 1 son, 2 adopted sons, and raising son and daughter of her deceased sister Jackie.
Sang with girl group The Ordettes as a teenager; formed Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles with Nona Hendryx, Sarah Dash, and Cindy Birdsong (1961), one of the foremost groups of the day; when Birdsong departed (1967), changed name of trio to LaBelle and recorded Nightbirds (1974), which included hit "Lady Marmalade" (Voulez-vous chouchez avec moi ce soir?); embarked on solo career with album Patti LaBelle (1976), followed by Tasty (1978), I'm in Love Again (1983) and Gems (1994); costarred with Al Green in Broadway revival of Your Arms Too Short to Box With God (1982), played a blues singer in film A Soldier's Story, starred in musical House of Flowers, and appeared in sitcoms "A Different World" and "Out All Night"; became particularly known for her duets, including "On My Own" with Michael McDonald (1986); received Grammy (1992) for Best Female R & B Vocal Performance for Burnin'; wrote Patti's Pearls: Lessons in Living Genuinely, Joyfully, Generously (2001); worked on behalf of AIDS awareness and cancer research.
See also autobiography, Don't Block the Blessings: Revelations of a Lifetime (1996).