Patricia Louise Holte-Edwards (born May 24, 1944), better known under the stage name Patti LaBelle, is an American singer, author, and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry.
LaBelle spent 16 years as lead singer of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, who changed their name to Labelle in the early 1970s and released the iconic disco song “Lady Marmalade”. Labelle are also noted for being the first African American group to play at the prestigious Metropolitan Opera House and the first African American vocal group to land the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
Her solo career began shortly after the group disbanded in 1977 with the release of her self-titled and critically acclaimed debut album. In 1984 she achieved her first number one R&B hit with “If Only You Knew”, while later in the year, she crossed over to pop music with singles such as “New Attitude” and “Stir It Up”, both becoming pop radio staples.
The singer has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Apollo Hall of Fame and the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. In 2005, the World Music Awards presented her with the coveted Legend Award. She possesses the vocal range of a soprano. Patti LaBelle is also commonly identified as the “Godmother of Soul”, the “High Priestess of Good Vibrations”, and the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Soul”.
LaBelle is also a noted actress having a supporting role in the Oscar nominated drama A Soldier’s Story as well as being a recurring character in the acclaimed sitcom A Different World. She guest-starred in the fourth season of the Emmy Award winning American Horror Story, subtitled Freak Show. She also competed on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.
Side One
If Only You Knew
Side Two
I’ll Never, Never Give Up
My Dad's Albums 