LaBelle
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Image:Labelle - Phoenix cover at 375.jpgLabelle (with the b written in small caps, while the spelling LaBelle exclusivelly refers to the stage surname of the group's lead vocalist, Patti LaBelle) was an American R&B/soul group, who successfully melded dance music with funk and glam rock, resulting in such memorable songs as "Lady Marmalade". The group was led by Patti LaBelle, who later had a successful solo career. Nona Hendryx, Sarah Dash and Cindy Birdsong rounded out the group, with Hendryx especially notable as a prolific songwriter.
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History
Patricia Holt and Cindy Birdsong first formed a group called the Ordettes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1959, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash joined after leaving a group called the Del Capris. Patricia Holt had her name changed to Patti LaBelle after the group changed their name to The Bluebelles and later Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles. The first single was "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman" (released as the Blue-Belles). Some controversy exists over if the group actually performed on the track; some believe that the song was performed entirely or partially by the Starlets. The song was a hit, as was their 1963 follow-up, "Down the Aisle", and "You'll Never Walk Alone" (1964; Rodgers & Hammerstein) and "Danny Boy" (a traditional Irish folk song). The BlueBelles signed with Atlantic Records in 1965, releasing "Over the Rainbow" and "Groovy Kind of Love" (later a hit for the Mindbenders and Phil Collins) with only mild success. The BlueBelles also contributed background vocals to Tony Kosinec's "Simple Emotion" and Wilson Picket's hit "634-5789" in 1966.
In 1967, the group became a trio after Cindy Birdsong left to join the Supremes, replacing Florence Ballard. Three years later, the group lost their contract and hired Vicki Wickham, a British TV producer, to remake their image. She changed the name to Labelle and pushed the group to a more contemporary sound, incorporated glam influences, particularly in the spectacular spacey stage costumes that included large amounts of glitter, feathers and other acoutrements. In the early 70s, Labelle opened for the Who and lent their unmistakably powerful vocals to Laura Nyro's Gonna Take a Miracle album in 1971 (now considered a classic). Two songs from this album ("Desiree" and "Gonna Take a Miracle") were used in the 2004 Colin Farrell film A Home At the End of the World to great dramatic effect -- especially "Gonna Take a Miracle," at the end of the film. Labelle also contributed to Nikki Giovanni's "Peace Be Still"; the group released Labelle in 1971 on Warner Brothers Records. It included covers of the Rolling Stones, Kenny Rogers, Carole King and Laura Nyro, while the following album, Moonshadow (1972) also included covers of famous songs, "MoonShadow" Cat Stevens and "We Won't Get Fooled Again" the Who, it also gave Hendryx more freedome to write material for Labelle. Unfortunately, the album flopped, as did the third Labelle album, "Pressure Cookin'", (1973), released on RCA Records, on which Hendryx wrote most of Labelle's material. Although the album wasn't commercially successful, it allowed her to solidify hone her talents as a a real songwriter, clearly demonstrated by the moving "(Can I Speak to You Before You Go to) Hollywood," which was based on the way the ladies felt when people who had "made it" in the business no longer were interested in keeping in contact with Patti, Sarah, or Nona.
After Pressure Cookin', Labelle signed with Epic Records and recorded an album, Nightbirds, with Allen Toussaint, a famous record producer. "Lady Marmalade", a sexy, funky disco song (with a come-hither French chorus, "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?") about a New Orleans prostitute became a massive hit in 1975 and one of the first mainstream disco hits (Jones and Kantonen, 1999). The success of the single also pushed the album to the top of the charts. The Madchester-era indie band, The Happy Mondays song, Kinky Afro lifted the chorus from Lady Marmalade. In doing so, it reflected their soul influences.
Labelle never regained their former momentum after Nightbirds and "Lady Marmalade", in spite of several hits and some critically acclaimed albums like Phoenix (1975) and Chameleon (1976). When the group split up in 1976, Hendryx and LaBelle managed successful solo careers, while Sarah Dash had a few notable dance hits, "Sinner Man" (1978), which gained her much public attention, and "Lucky Tonight" (1984) with Sylvester singing background vocals. Dash also acted on television for the PBS series "Watch Your Mouth," (1978), and has performed on Broadway. Her career picked up again om the 90s when she was asked to sing with The Rolling Stones on their "Steel Wheels" album, and even more so when she became one of Keith Richards' "X-pensive Winos," and was given solo and duet opportunities with his band; namely the excellent (duet) ballad, "Make No Mistake," and singing solo on "Time Is On My Side," which Richards said in his autobiography is "the best version he has ever heard."
LaBelle, Hendryx, and Dash have reunited several times including a famed 1991 reunion at the Apollo Theater 30 years after the group first stole the audience's hearts at the same venue during a live concert that was recorded as a live album; reuniting again in 2001 to honor Patti on BET's "Walk of Fame," where the trio reunited for an explosive version of "What Can I Do for You" (and Lady Marmalade); and most recently in 2005 during a tribute to Patti's 45th anniversary in show business. In January 2006, Labelle again reunited to record "Dear Rosa," a tribute to the late civil rights champion Rosa Parks. The release date of the single has not been set at this time. There are also plans for an entire reunion album and tour, most likely to happen in 2007. In addition, Labelle will contribute songs for the soundtrack for the upcoming film, "Preaching to the Choir."
Discography
Singles
- "Morning Much Better", 1971, Warner Brothers
- "Moonshadow", 1972, Warner Brothers
- "Ain't It Sad It's All Over", 1972, Warner Brothers
- "Sunshine", 1973, RCA
- "Going On a Holiday", 1973, RCA
- "Lady Marmalade", 1974, Epic
- "What Can I Do for You", 1974, Epic
- "Messin' With My Mind", 1975, Epic
- "Far As We Felt Like Goin"', 1975, Epic
- "Get You Somebody New", 1976, Epic
- "Isn't It a Shame", 1976, Epic
- "Miss Otis Regrets", 1976
- "Lady Marmalade / Messin' With My Mind" (re-release), 1989 12-inch, Epic
- "Turn It Out" (from the soundtrack To Wong Foo...), 1995, MCA
Sources
- Jones, Alan and Kantonen, Jussi (1999) Saturday Night Forever: The Story of Disco. Chicago, Illinois: A Cappella Books. ISBN 1556524110.
- LaBelle, Patti, with Laura B. Randolph (1996). Don't Block the Blessings: Revelations of a Lifetime. New York, NY: Riverhead Books. ISBN 1-57322-039-6.