b. Patricia Holte a.k.a. Patricia Louise Holte, 24th May 1944, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Patti LaBelle is one of the finest singers to have emerged over the last 50 years or so.
She is also an actress, and has become an author in recent years.
sarah dash, patti and nona hendryx
Patti is, probably, best known as the lead singer with the all female group LaBelle (featuring Patti, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash).
She was born and brought up in Philadelphia, setting out in the music business as part of the group Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles.
Ii found a new love b/w pitter patter - 1962 (newtown records) / love me just a little b/w the joke is on you - 1963 (newtime records)
The group recorded sides for the labels Newtime, King, Nicetown, Parkway, Atlantic, Trip and Jamie imprints.
That group changed their name to LaBelle during the Seventies, with Patti singing lead vocals, up until the group disbanded in 1976.
LaBelle’s biggest hit, ‘Lady Marmalade’ (which climbed to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over a million copies).
patti labelle - 1977 / tasty - 1978 / it's alright with me - 1979 / unreleased - 1980
She began a very successful solo career in 1977, signing to the Epic Records imprint, for her self-titled debut album (featuring ‘You Are My Friend’, ‘Joy to Have Your Love’ and ‘Dan Swit Me’).
Patti released three further albums for Epic, ‘Tasty’ (in 1978), ‘It’s Alright With Me’ (in 1979) and ‘Released’ (in 1980).
She then signed with the Philadelphia International Records label, for a three album series of releases.
the spirits in it - 1981 / i'm in love again - 1983 / the poet ii (with bobby womack) - 1984 / patti - 1985
In 1981, she released ‘The Spirit's in It’ (which featured her version of the classic ‘Over The Rainbow’ and the uptempo title track).
In 1982, Patti was featured on the Grover Washington duet ‘The Best Is Yet to Come’.
In 1983, she released ‘I’m in Love Again’ (which featured the top ten R&B singles, with ‘Love, Need and Want You’ and ‘If Only You Knew’).
In 1984, Patti teamed up with Bobby Womack on the singers ‘Poet II’ album, which featured the duet ‘Love Has Finally Come at Last’.
She then began diversifying her career, appearing as a club singer in the film ‘A Soldier's Story’, and recorded the songs ‘New Attitude’ and ‘Stir It Up’ for the soundtrack to the film, ‘Beverly Hills Cop’.
In 1985, she released her final Philadelphia International album, ‘Patti’ (which featured ‘Where I Wanna Be’).
winner - 1986 / be yourself - 1989 / burnin' - 1991 / gems - 1994
In 1986, Patti signed with MCA Records, and released her biggest-selling solo album to date, ‘Winner in You’.
The album featured the Burt Bacharach/Carole Bayer Sager song ‘On My Own’ (a duet with Michael McDonald), and featured the excellent, mid-tempo, socially conscious, ‘Oh People’.
Patti released further albums for MCA, including ‘Be Yourself’ (in 1989), ‘Starlight Christmas’ (in 1990), ‘Burnin’ (in 1991), ‘Live!’ (in 1992), ‘Gems’ (in 1994) and ‘Flame’ (in 1997).
In 1996, Patti began writing and publishing a series of 5 cookery books.
In 2000, she recorded a final album for MCA, entitled ‘When a Woman Loves’.
She then signed to the Def Soul Classics imprint, releasing ‘Timeless Journey’ in 2004.
In 2006, she released her first gospel album, ‘The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle’, for the Bungalo imprint.
A second festive album, ‘Miss Patti's Christmas’ was released in 2007.
In 2008, Patti, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash reformed for one further album, ‘Back to Now’ represented the first new LaBelle album for some 30 years.
Patti then took to the stage for the musical ‘Fela!’ in 2010, remaining with the production until 2011.
LaBelle were honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards in 2011.
Patti performed with Aretha Franklin, (amongst others), performed at a concert hosted by President Barack Obama at the White House in 2014.
The same year she returned to the stage for the Broadway musical ‘After Midnight’.
Patti continues to tour, recently appearing with Frankie Beverly & Maze on stage.
bel hommage - 2017
In 2017, she released her first jazz album, ‘Bel Hommage’.
Albums:
Patti LaBelle (Epic Records 1977)
Tasty (Epic Records 1978)
It's Alright With Me (Epic Records 1979)
Released (Epic Records 1980)
The Spirit's In It (Philadelphia International Records 1981)
I'm In Love Again (Philadelphia International Records 1983)
Patti (Philadelphia International Records 1985)
The Winner In You (MCA Records 1986)
Be Yourself (MCA Records 1989)
Starlight Christmas (MCA Records 1990)
Burnin' (MCA Records 1991)
Live! (MCA Records 1992)
Gems (MCA Records 1994)
Flame (MCA Records 1997)
Sleigh Bells, Jingle Bells & Blue Bells (Newtown Music Records 1997)
Live at the Apollo [Up Front] (Up Front Records 1997)
Live at the Apollo [Blue Moon] (Blue Moon Records 1999)
When A Woman Loves (MCA Records 2000)
Timeless Journey (MCA Records 2004)
Miss Patti's Christmas (Def Soul Classics Records 2007)
Live In Washington, D.C. (Philadelphia International Records 2008)
Bel Hommage (GPE Records 2017)
