Historical Figure
Patti LaBelle
b. 1944
American singer and actress (born 1944)
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Biography
Patricia Louise Holte, known professionally as Patti LaBelle, is an American R&B singer and actress. She has been referred to as the "Godmother of Soul". LaBelle began her career in the early 1960s as lead singer and frontwoman of the vocal group Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles. After the group's name change to Labelle in the 1970s, they released the US number-one hit "Lady Marmalade". After the group disbanded in 1977, LaBelle began a solo career, achieving mainstream success in the 1980s with singles including "If Only You Knew", "New Attitude" and "Stir It Up". In 1986, she achieved both a US number-one album, Winner in You, and a US number-one single with "On My Own", a duet with Michael McDonald. LaBelle won a 1992 Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for her album Burnin', and a second Grammy in 1999 for the live album Live! One Night Only. She reunited with her Labelle bandmates in 2008 for the album Back to Now.
Timeline
The story of Patti LaBelle, told in moments.
Born Patricia Louise Holte in Southwest Philadelphia. Her father was a railroad worker and club performer. Her mother was a domestic worker. Parents' marriage was abusive. She joined the church choir at Beulah Baptist at 10 and sang her first solo at 12.
Formed Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles. They signed with Newtown Records and had early hits with "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman" and "Down the Aisle." The group toured the chitlin' circuit.
"Lady Marmalade" hit No. 1. The group had rebranded as Labelle, ditched the gowns for silver space suits, and pushed into funk and glam rock. "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?" became one of the most recognizable hooks in pop music.
Winner in You became a No. 1 album. "On My Own," a duet with Michael McDonald, topped the Hot 100. She won her first Grammy in 1992 for Burnin'. A second Grammy came in 1999 for Live! One Night Only.
Patti's Sweet Potato Pie went viral after a YouTube review. Walmart sold out across the country. Over 50 million records sold in a career spanning seven decades. Rolling Stone included her on their list of 100 Greatest Singers. The Godmother of Soul.
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