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Labelle

From Alfawiki
Labelle
Company typeMusical group
IndustryMusic
Founded1960
FounderPatti LaBelle, Cindy Birdsong, Nona Hendryx, Sarah Dash
Headquarters
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Trenton, New Jersey
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsMusic albums, singles, live performances

Labelle was a prominent American soul ensemble that originated from the 1960s girl group known as the Blue Belles. The band emerged from Philadelphia and Trenton, combining members from competing girl groups, the Ordettes and the Del-Capris. The founding lineup included Patti LaBelle (born Patricia Louise Holt), Cindy Birdsong, Nona Hendryx, and Sarah Dash.

Initially performing as the Bluebelles, and later as Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, they achieved recognition with doo-wop ballads such as "Down the Aisle (The Wedding Song)" and "You'll Never Walk Alone". When Birdsong departed in 1967 to join The Supremes, the group shifted their musical approach under the guidance of Vicki Wickham, reemerging in 1971 as the progressive soul outfit Labelle. Their repertoire explored subjects that were rare for Black female groups at the time. Embracing glam rock elements and futuristic costumes, they reached mainstream acclaim with the early disco track "Lady Marmalade" in 1974, which propelled their album Nightbirds to gold status. Labelle also made history as the first contemporary pop and Black pop group to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House and to be featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

After their 1976 tour concluded, each member embarked on solo ventures with considerable achievements. Nona Hendryx delved into experimental music and found renewed success with her 2017 club hit "Shine," released through Defected Records. Sarah Dash became a sought-after session vocalist, while Patti LaBelle established a distinguished solo career, earning Grammy Awards and multiple top-20 R&B singles from 1982 to 1997, including the chart-topping pop single "On My Own". Her accolades include lifetime achievement honors from institutions such as the Apollo Theatre, World Music Awards, and BET.

The group reunited in 2008 to produce their first album in over three decades, Back to Now, and continued performing together until Sarah Dash passed away in 2021 at age 76.

Origins

In 1960, sixteen-year-old Patricia "Patsy" Holte won a talent contest at a Philadelphia high school and formed a singing group called the Ordettes alongside Jean Brown, Yvonne Hogen, and Johnnie Dawson. After several lineup changes—including additions of Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash from Trenton’s Del-Capris, as well as Cindy Birdsong from Camden—the group toured extensively on the Chitlin' Circuit, building regional popularity.

In 1962, due to contractual complications surrounding a recording by Chicago's Starlets titled "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman," the track was credited to "The Blue Belles." Following an audition, the Ordettes were signed by Newtown Records president Harold Robinson to promote this song under that name. Subsequent legal challenges led Robinson to rename Patricia Holte as "Patti LaBelle" and officially rebrand the ensemble as Patti LaBelle and The Blue Belles.

Sweethearts of the Apollo

Their breakthrough national hit came in 1963 with "Down the Aisle (The Wedding Song)," initially released on Newtown Records and later distributed by King Records. The single entered both pop and R&B top 40 charts, establishing their presence nationwide. Frequent appearances at the Apollo Theater earned them the moniker "Sweethearts of the Apollo." After Newtown Records was sold in 1963, Cameo-Parkway reissued "You'll Never Walk Alone," which also reached the top 40 in 1964. Additional charting singles included "Danny Boy," and they served as opening act for the Rolling Stones during their U.S. tour in 1965.

Atlantic Records signed them with hopes of securing mainstream success; their debut Atlantic single "All or Nothing" achieved moderate chart performance in 1966. They provided backing vocals for Wilson Pickett’s hit "634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)" and released their first Atlantic album titled Over the Rainbow, featuring tracks like "All or Nothing" and its title song. The group toured Europe extensively—particularly in the UK—appearing on Ready, Steady, Go with Bluesology backing them; this band included pianist Reg Dwight, who later became Elton John. Maintaining a professional relationship with producer Vicki Wickham proved influential during this period.

Early in 1967, they charted with "Take Me for a Little While" and issued their second Atlantic album Dreamer. However, Atlantic shifted its promotional focus toward Aretha Franklin that year. Cindy Birdsong departed to join The Supremes in 1967; Sundray Tucker temporarily rejoined for touring before they proceeded as a trio.

With Atlantic prioritizing soul and rock acts elsewhere, they were dropped from the label in 1970. After losing manager Bernard Montague and considering several options, they eventually appointed Vicki Wickham as their manager. Wickham credited Dusty Springfield for encouraging their exposure on UK television’s Ready, Steady, Go.

Reinvention

Wickham suggested that the group move to London and completely transform their image and musical style, a proposal that caused Patti LaBelle some concern about potentially losing their older audience. He also advised them to shorten their name to simply "Labelle". Moving away from wigs and dresses, they embraced Afros and jeans, unveiling this new look during their opening act for The Who in New York. Labelle subsequently signed with Track Records, distributed by Warner Bros., releasing their self-titled debut in 1971 and the follow-up album Moon Shadow in 1972. These records featured gospel-infused soul versions of rock classics such as "Wild Horses" and "Won't Get Fooled Again". Although these albums did not achieve commercial success, critics praised them, establishing Labelle as a forward-thinking soul group with bold tracks like "Morning Much Better" and "Touch Me All Over".

In 1971, Labelle provided backing vocals on Laura Nyro's covers album Gonna Take a Miracle, marking their initial entry onto the charts and sparking a collaboration that included performances at Carnegie Hall. Their 1973 release, Pressure Cookin' on RCA Records, included an expressive medley combining "Something in the Air" with "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". Around this period, inspired by Larry LeGaspi’s direction, Labelle adopted avant-garde stage attire featuring space suits and feathered costumes.

Success

In 1974, Wickham secured a contract for Labelle with Epic Records, where they recorded the breakthrough album Nightbirds in New Orleans under producer Allen Toussaint. While Nona Hendryx penned most of the songs, Epic released the track "Lady Marmalade," written by Kenny Nolan and Bob Crewe, as a single in August 1974. This fusion of rock and soul propelled the song to number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts by March 1975, also garnering global acclaim. The album also produced another hit single, "What Can I Do for You?".

Nightbirds achieved sales exceeding one million copies and earned gold certification. During its promotion, Labelle became the first rock ensemble to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House in October 1974; Wickham dubbed the event "Wear Something Silver" to complement their silver space-themed costumes. In spring 1975, Labelle made history as the first African-American vocal group featured on the cover of Rolling Stone. Later that year, they released the critically lauded album Phoenix and contributed background vocals to Elton John's successful album Rock of the Westies. Their third Epic album, Chameleon (1976), included notable tracks such as "Get You Somebody New," "Isn't It a Shame," and "Who's Watching the Watcher".

Breakup

Despite receiving praise for Phoenix and Chameleon, Labelle found it difficult to match the commercial triumph of Nightbirds. By 1976, creative differences emerged within the group: Patti LaBelle preferred soul music, Nona Hendryx advocated for funk rock influences, while Sarah Dash leaned toward disco sounds.

During a concert on December 3, 1976 in Baltimore, Hendryx unexpectedly left the stage and subsequently locked herself in her dressing room. This incident was serious enough that Patti LaBelle suggested disbanding. After fourteen years together, the trio officially parted ways at the end of 1976.

Solo careers and reunions

Following her departure from The Blue Belles, Cindy Birdsong joined The Supremes, contributing to hits such as "Up the Ladder to the Roof" and "Nathan Jones" before stepping back from regular recording activities in the 1980s. In response to Birdsong’s exit, Hendryx reportedly wrote "(Can I Speak to You Before You Go To) Hollywood". Sarah Dash found solo success with her disco hit "Sinner Man" and later collaborated with The Rolling Stones and Keith Richards' X-pensive Winos. Hendryx explored multiple genres including hard rock, hip-hop, house music, and new age styles, achieving chart success with singles like "Keep It Confidential." Patti LaBelle rose to international prominence as a solo artist with crossover hits including "New Attitude," "Stir It Up," and "On My Own," earning Grammy Awards along with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Labelle briefly reunited in 1991 on Patti LaBelle's Grammy-winning album Burnin' with the track "Release Yourself," performing together at the Apollo Theater. They reunited again in 1995 to release the dance single "Turn it Out" from the movie To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, which reached number one on Billboard’s dance chart—their first chart appearance in nineteen years. In 2006, they recorded "Dear Rosa" for a film soundtrack. The trio officially came back together in 2008 to release Back to Now, their first studio album in over three decades, followed by a tour through spring 2009. Patti LaBelle highlighted that timing and ensuring high quality were key factors for this reunion effort. The group delivered a notable performance at New York City’s Apollo Theatre in December 2008 and continued occasional appearances; Sarah Dash performed alongside LaBelle shortly before her death in 2021.

Legacy and influence

Labelle’s influence can be seen in groups such as En Vogue, Destiny's Child, and The Pussycat Dolls—who covered their song "Far As We Felt Like Goin'." Their iconic track "Lady Marmalade" remains significant; it was notably covered by All Saints and featured in a Grammy-winning collaboration with Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mýa, and Lil' Kim for the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack (2001). The song also inspired versions by The Happy Mondays. Their 1960s hit "You'll Never Walk Alone" was covered by Sam Harris and sampled by Kanye West; meanwhile, their 1970s song "Isn't It a Shame" was sampled by Nelly on his track "My Place." Labelle’s proto-disco singles like "Lady Marmalade" helped lay groundwork for disco’s rise; notably, "Lady Marmalade" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003. Their music has also been featured in Lee Daniels' film Precious (2009).

Lineups

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The Blue Belles

1961

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1962

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Patti LaBelle & The Blue Belles

1962–1967
1967
1967–1970

Labelle

1970–1976, 2005–2009

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  • 1 Holte adopted the stage name Patti LaBelle in 1962 following legal disputes over the group's name that resulted in rebranding as Patti LaBelle and Her Blue Belles.

Discography

Template:Main article As The Blue Belles (also known as Patti La Belle and Her Blue Belles; Patti LaBelle and The Bluebelles):

  • You'll Never Walk Alone/Decatur Street 7" single (Parkway Records P-896, 1962)
  • Tear After Tear/Go On (This is Goodbye) 7" single (Newtown Records NT-5007, 1962)
  • Danny Boy/I Believe 7" single (Parkway Records P-935, 1962)
  • Decatur Street/Academy Award 7" single (Newtown Records NT-5019, 1963)
  • Sweethearts of the Apollo (Newtown Records, 1963)
  • Sleigh Bells, Jingle Bells and Blue Belles (Newtown Records, 1963)
  • On Stage (Cameo-Parkway Records, 1964)
  • Over the Rainbow (Atlantic Records, 1966)
  • Dreamer (Atlantic Records, 1967)

As Labelle:

With Laura Nyro

External links

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