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Born Patricia Holte in 1944 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the woman we know as Patti LaBelle was raised in a large family as the second-youngest of five children. Her father worked on the railroad and performed in clubs. From a young age, Patti found solace and purpose in music — she joined her church choir at 10 and by 12 was singing solo.
Her early life wasn’t easy. The marriage of her parents was troubled, and after her parents separated when she was 12, she experienced deep personal trauma. Yet despite hardship, she held onto music — both for comfort and as an outlet — listening to jazz, R&B and gospel as she grew up.
From The Ordettes to Stardom: The Early Career
In her mid-teens Patti began dreaming of making music beyond the church. By 1960, she formed a girl group called The Ordettes with friends at school. The next year members changed and the group evolved into Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles — soon to become simply Labelle in the 1970s
The Bluebelles
The Bluebelles enjoyed moderate success: in ’62 they scored a Top-20 hit with “I Sold My Heart to the Junkman.” Later, they found acclaim with a classic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
'70's Smash Hits
In the ’70s Labelle’s sound evolved. The group embraced funk, soul, and rock — culminating in the 1974 smash hit Lady Marmalade. The song and its style cemented their place in music history. But amidst growing fame, internal tensions and changing musical landscapes led to the group’s split in ’77. That moment became the launchpad for Patti’s solo journey.
Patti's Solo Reign: From 1977 Onwards
Patti’s debut solo album, simply titled Patti LaBelle, came out in ’77. It featured soulful tracks like “You Are My Friend.” Through the late ’70s and early ’80s, she released albums and in ’82 scored her first major solo chart success with The Best Is Yet to Come, which earned her a Grammy nomination.
Biggest Breakthrough
Patti’s true breakthrough came mid-1980s. A string of hits — including New Attitude and Stir It Up — turned Patti into a household name. The song became a feminist-anthem and a reclamation-of-self track; “Stir It Up,” meanwhile, was featured on the soundtrack of the film Beverly Hills Cop.
Duets: Patti and Michael McDonald
1986’s album Winner in You — featuring the duet On My Own with Michael McDonald — topped U.S. charts and solidified her commercial success.
Solo Success and Grammies
In the ’90s Patti continued to release albums. Her live album earned her a second Grammy. By then, Patti LaBelle had already sold tens of millions of records worldwide — a number that today experts estimate exceeds 50 million.
Beyond Music
Patti’s talents reach far beyond singing. Over the decades she’s dabbled in acting and appearances on TV shows and Broadway. She’s also a successful author. Her memoir Don’t Block the Blessings: Revelations of a Lifetime gives insight into her hardships, faith and perseverance and she has penned cookbooks and ventured into food — launching a food brand, frozen comfort foods, and her signature sweet-potato pies that became a viral hit in the 2010s.
Patti LaBelle Today: Still Going Strong
Patti LaBelle shows no signs of slowing. In May 2024, she marked her 80th birthday by announcing a brand new album titled 8065 — a tribute to her 80 years alive and 65 years in show business. She’s also hit the road with the “8065 Celebration Tour,” which will take her to audiences around the world — including stops planned for Australia and New Zealand.
