Labelle

Labelle
Labelle members (l-r, Nona Hendryx, Patti LaBelle and Sarah Dash) in 1975.
Background information
Also known as	The Ordettes Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles Patti LaBelle and Her Blue Belles
Origin	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Genres	Doo-wop, R&B, soul, psychedelic soul, rock, funk, dance
Years active	1962–1976 2005–2009
Labels	Newtown, Cameo-Parkway, Atlantic Records, Warner Bros., Epic Records
Associated acts	Wilson Pickett, Laura Nyro, The Meters
Website	www.labelleisback.com

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Labelle was an American all-female singing group who were a popular vocal group of the 1960s and 1970s. The group was formed after the disbanding of two rival girl groups in the Philadelphia/Trenton areas, the Ordettes and the Del-Capris, forming as a new version of the former group, later changing their name to The Blue Belles (later Bluebelles). The founding members were Patti LaBelle (formerly Patricia Holt), Cindy Birdsong, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash.

As The Bluebelles, and later Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, the group found success with ballads in the doo-wop genre, most notably "Down the Aisle (The Wedding Song)", "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "Over the Rainbow". After Birdsong departed to join The Supremes in 1967, the group, following the advice of Vicki Wickham, changed its look, musical direction, and style and reformed as Labelle in 1971. Their funk rock recordings of that period became cult favorites for their brash interpretation of rock and roll and for dealing with subject matter that was not touched by black groups. Finally after adapting glam rock and wearing outlandish space-age and glam-rock costumes, the group found success with the proto-disco smash "Lady Marmalade" in 1974, leading to their parent album, Nightbirds, which achieved gold success. They are notable for being the first contemporary pop group and first black pop group to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House.

The group members each went on their own after the end of a tour in 1976, going on to have significant solo success, especially Nona Hendryx, who followed an idiosyncratic muse into her own solo career, which often bordered on the avant-garde^[1] and Patti LaBelle, who has enjoyed a very successful Grammy-winning solo career.

The group returned with their first new album in 32 years with 2008's Back to Now.

History

Origins

In 1959, a fifteen-year-old teenager, Patricia "Patti" Holt won her first talent contest in high school. Following this, she sought to form her own singing group the following year called the Ordettes. Holt formed the group with singers Jean Brown, Yvonne Hogen and Johnnie Dawson. The group gained a local following. Dawson was eventually replaced by Sundray Tucker. By 1961, Jean Brown and Yvonne Hogan had ditched the group to get married and Patti and Sundray carried on as soloists.

Later in 1961, Patti and Sundray's manager Bernard Montague contacted two singers from the Trenton, NJ singing group the Del-Capris, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash. Eventually Hendryx and Dash became official replacements for Brown and Hogan as the Ordettes. The group soon began working diligently by musician Morris Bailey. Bailey and Montague's schedule led to Tucker's parents to disband her from the group. Eventually, another singer, Cindy Birdsong, from Camden, New Jersey, was allowed to join the group after an audition, under the advice of Patti. The group soon toured the chitlin' circuit, gaining a following in the eastern U.S.

In 1962, Chicago-based group The Starlets had traveled to Philadelphia to do sessions for producer Bobby Martin and record label owner Harold Robinson, president of Newtown Records. One of the sessions included a cover of the standard, "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman". At the time of the song's release, the group had a hit with the song "Better Tell Him No" and were unable to promote the song due to them being signed to another label. The song was credited under the name "The Blue Belles". The Ordettes auditioned by singing the song. Before hearing the group, Robinson turned them down due to being unimpressed with Patti's looks but upon hearing Patti singing, he changed his mind and signed the group to Newtown.

When "I Sold My Heart" became popular, Robinson sent the Ordettes to promote it under the assumed name of the Blue Belles. After a televised performance at American Bandstand featuring the Ordettes, the Starlets' manager sued Harold Robinson and Bobby Martin. Around the same time, Robinson was also sued for having another group use the name "Blue Belles". Following the aftermath of the ordeals, Robinson gave Patti Holt a new name, "Patti LaBelle", and the group's name was rechristened as "Patti LaBelle and The Blue Belles".

Initially, Robinson turned the group down on sight, unimpressed with Patti's looks. But upon hearing Patti's voice, Robinson agreed to sign the group to his local label, Newtown. Around the same time, Chicago-based group The Starlets had traveled to Philadelphia to do sessions for Martin. One of the sessions included a cover of the standard, "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman". At the time of the song's release, the group had a hit with the song "Better Tell Him No" and were unable to promote the song due to them being signed to another label. The song was credited under the name "The Blue Belles".

Sweethearts of the Apollo

Following several releases such as "Academy Award" and "Tear After Tear", the group recorded their first national hit under their new name in 1963 with the release of the ballad, "Down the Aisle (The Wedding Song)", first released under Newtown, before it received national distribution from King Records. As a result, the record reached the top 40 on both the pop and R&B charts, formally launching the group to national stardom. Frequent performances at the Apollo Theater helped to give the group the nickname "Sweethearts of the Apollo". Newtown released two albums on the group before Harold Robinson sold Newtown in 1963. Cameo-Parkway soon signed them and re-released the Newtown single, "You'll Never Walk Alone", at the end of the year. The record became another top 40 hit for the group in 1964 and became one of Patti LaBelle's first signature performances. They later recorded another charted hit with "Danny Boy". In 1965, the group opened for The Rolling Stones during a lengthy American tour. Shortly afterwards, Atlantic Records signed the act to the label, in hopes of bringing the group mainstream success. Their first Atlantic single, "All or Nothing", briefly made a dent on the pop charts in 1966. They had a notable entry as background singers of Wilson Pickett's first major hit, "634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)". In 1966, Atlantic released the group's first studio album, Over the Rainbow, which included "All or Nothing" and the title track, later to be a standard for Patti.

Around this time, the group also began touring Europe, mainly in the UK, where they performed on the show, Ready, Steady, Go. During club performances, the group was backed up musically by a pub band called Bluesology, whose pianist was a teenager named Reg Dwight, later known as Elton John. Following the UK tour, the group kept in touch with one of the show's producers, Vicki Wickham. In early 1967, the group had another charted single with the song "Take Me for a Little While" and released their second Atlantic album, Dreamer. Around this time, Aretha Franklin had signed with Atlantic Records, leading to Atlantic to focus its efforts on her rather than on the Blue Belles. That same year, Cindy Birdsong abruptly left the group to join The Supremes, replacing original member Florence Ballard. After completing a tour where Sundray Tucker briefly rejoined the group to fill in for Birdsong, the remaining members carried on as a trio. As grittier soul and heavy rock dominated much of Atlantic's time, the group was let go from their contract in 1970. Bernard Montague, who was managing groups such as The Delfonics, also left them, leaving them seeking new managers. After nearly signing a contract with Herb Hamlett and Frankie Crocker, they eventually picked Vicki Wickham to work with them. Wickham later credited Dusty Springfield with convincing her to hire the group to perform on Ready, Steady, Go in London.

Reinvention

Wickham advised the group to move to London and change their entire image and sound,^[2] much to the chagrin of Patti LaBelle, who feared the group would isolate their older fans with a new laid back "earthier" look. Wickham also advised them to change their name to simply "Labelle". Ditching the wigs and dresses, Labelle settled on Afros and jeans. They debuted this new look while backing The Who during a stop in New York. Following this, Labelle signed a contract with Track Records, The Who's label, which received distribution from Warner Bros. Records. In 1971, the group released their first album, simply titled Labelle, quickly following it up with the 1972 album, Moon Shadow. The albums featured the group bringing in gospel soul renditions of rock hits such as "Wild Horses" and "Won't Get Fooled Again". While not being commercial success, the albums did become critically acclaimed, establishing the act as a progressive soul unit, while also recording daring material such as "Morning Much Better" and "Touch Me All Over".

In 1971, Labelle were invited to record backing vocals to a covers album being recorded by Laura Nyro. The resulting album, Gonna Take a Miracle, led to the group reaching the charts for the first time, while also establishing a rapport with Nyro, who later invited them to perform with her at Carnegie Hall. In 1973, they briefly recorded an album for RCA Records titled Pressure Cookin', featuring a wildly interpretive covers medley of the songs "Something in the Air" and "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". It was around this time that Labelle changed up their act again. Under the advice of Larry LaGaspi, the band began performing in space suits, feathers and studs.

Success

In 1974, Wickham had the group signed to Epic Records where they recorded their breakthrough album, Nightbirds, in New Orleans with producer Allen Toussaint. While Hendryx eventually wrote the majority of the album, Epic released the Kenny Nolan and Bob Crewe composition, "Lady Marmalade", as a single in August of 1974. The song's rock-soul mixture helped the song to sell to listeners and by March of 1975, the song had become the group's first number-one single, reaching the top of both the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B singles chart. It also became an international hit. The album included another hit, "What Can I Do For You". Both songs became important in the development of disco and also pushed funk to the mainstream.

Nightbirds eventually sold over a million copies and was certified gold. During the album's promotion, the group became the first rock group to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House.^[3] Wickham billed the October 6, 1974 performance, "Wear Something Silver", to adapt to Labelle's own silver-colored space outfits, worn by Patti LaBelle. Building on their success, in the spring of 1975, Labelle became the first African American vocal group to make the cover of Rolling Stone. Later in 1975, the group released a critically acclaimed follow-up, Phoenix. That same year, the group contributed background vocals to several songs on Elton John's hit album, Rock of the Westies. In 1976, they released their third album, Chameleon, which included the tracks "Get You Somebody New", "Isn't It a Shame" and "Who's Watching the Watcher".

Breakup

Despite having critical acclaim with their follow-ups to Nightbirds, Phoenix and Chameleon failed to repeat that album's success and the group struggled to have another hit due to pop and R&B radio programmers struggling to categorize their music. By 1976, tensions had developed between the group, with the act's three members splintered on the group's sound and direction. Patti LaBelle had wanted the group to record more soul, Nona Hendryx wanted the group to go further into funk rock, and Sarah Dash wanted to record songs in a more disco direction.

During a show in Baltimore on December 3, 1976, Hendryx wandered off the stage and into the audience at the beginning of "(Can I Speak To You Before You Go To) Hollywood". Labelle's stage manager was able to steer Hendryx backstage, but Hendryx locked herself in her dressing room and beat her head against the wall until it began to bleed severely. She was removed from the theater in restraints.^[4]

Feeling the group had reached the end of its rope, Patti LaBelle advised the group to disband as long as their friendship remained intact. Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash agreed and formally announced their split at the end of 1976 after fourteen years together.

Solo careers and reunions

Following her departure from the Blue Belles, Cindy Birdsong enjoyed success as member of the Supremes, singing background on hits such as "Stoned Love". Birdsong prominently left the group in 1975, only sporadically recording music as a solo artist. The song, "(Can I Speak to You Before You Go To) Hollywood", from Pressure Cookin', was allegedly written by Hendryx as a response to Birdsong's departure, featuring each band member singing verses. Sarah Dash found some solo success after signing with Don Kirshner's label, with the disco single "Sinner Man". Dash eventually sang backup for the Rolling Stones and sung for Keith Richards' spinoff group X-pensive Winos. The more experimental Nona Hendryx has recorded in various genres including hard rock, hip-hop, house and new age, and charting with the singles, "Keep It Confidential" and "Why Should I Cry?" Patti LaBelle became an international solo superstar following Labelle's departure, recording crossover hits such as "New Attitude" and "On My Own", resulting in Grammy wins and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 1991, Patti LaBelle reunited with Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash on the track, "Release Yourself", from LaBelle's Grammy-winning album, Burnin. The trio reunited onstage at the Apollo Theater in 1991 to perform the song on LaBelle's second concert performance video while promoting the release of Burnin'. In addition to "Release Yourself", Hendryx and LaBelle composed the gospel-flavored ballad "When You've Been Blessed (Feels Like Heaven)". In 1995, the trio reunited again for the dance single, "Turn it Out", for the soundtrack to the film, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. The song became their first charted hit in nineteen years peaking at number-one on the Billboard dance singles chart. Four years later, the original Blue Belles reunited to receive an award from the R&B Foundation for Lifetime Achievement. In 2008, Labelle reunited for their first studio album in 32 years with the critically acclaimed Back to Now.

That year, the trio went back on tour together which carried through the spring of 2009.^[5] In an interview with the Toronto Star,^[6] Patti LaBelle explained why she, Dash and Hendryx waited over 32 years to record a full-length album: "You don't want to half-step something this important....it was about finding the right time and place. We were never ones to do anything on anyone else's time anyway; we were always unconventional. I still have my glitter boots to prove it."

The group performed a triumphant show at the Apollo Theatre in New York City on December 19, 2008.^[7][8]

Legacy and influence

Years after their departure in 1976, Labelle's influence has been reflected by groups such as En Vogue, Destiny's Child and The Pussycat Dolls, who recorded the Labelle hit, "Far As We Felt Like Goin'" from the Phoenix album. Their biggest hit, "Lady Marmalade" continues to be covered, with its successful covers being renditions by All Saints and the Grammy-winning number-one hit collaboration between singers Christina Aguilera, Pink and Mýa and rapper Lil' Kim in 2001 (recorded for the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack.) The song was also covered by Madchester-era indie group The Happy Mondays, who spliced it with "Kinky Afro", . The group's 1960s hit, "You'll Never Walk Alone", was covered by Sam Harris (who also covered their rendition of "Over The Rainbow"),^[9][10] and sampled by Kanye West in an early version of his song, "Homecoming" (which sampled the group's "walk on" intro) while their 1970s hit, "Isn't It a Shame" was sampled by Nelly on his song, "My Place". Their 1973 song, "Goin' On a Holiday", was also sampled in several hip-hop songs (sampling the group's vocal bridge, "goin', goin', goin', goin'...on...").

The group has been called pioneers of the disco movement for the proto-disco singles "Lady Marmalade" and "Messin' With My Mind". In turn, "Lady Marmalade" has been also called one of the first mainstream disco hits (Jones and Kantonen, 1999). In 2003, "Lady Marmalade" was inducted to the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2009, their songs "It Took a Long Time" and "System" were featured in Lee Daniels' film Precious.

Lineups

• ¹ Holt changed her name to Patti La Belle in 1962 after Harold Robinson was sued by a manager of a group, also called the Blue Belles, therefore becoming Patti La Belle and Her Blue Belles.

Discography

As The Blue Belles (aka 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, 1963)
• On Stage (Cameo-Parkway, 1964)
• Over the Rainbow (Atlantic, 1966)
• Dreamer (Atlantic, 1967)

As Labelle:

• Labelle (Warner Bros. Records, 1971)
• Moon Shadow (Warner Bros. Records, 1972)
• Pressure Cookin' (RCA, 1973)
• Nightbirds (Epic, 1974)
• Phoenix (Epic, 1975)
• Chameleon (Epic, 1976)
• Back to Now (Verve, 2008)

With Laura Nyro

• Gonna Take a Miracle (Laura Nyro ft. Labelle) (Columbia, 1971)

See also

• List of number-one hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one in the United States
• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. dance chart

References

• Jones, Alan and Kantonen, Jussi (1999) Saturday Night Forever: The Story of Disco. Chicago, Illinois: A Cappella Books. ISBN 1-55652-411-0.
• 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.
• VH1.com, “Labelle”, by Steve Huey, Allmusic (accessed on June 29, 2008)
• Thestar.com, Labelle gets back to now with release of new disc, by Elio Iannacci (accessed on October 21, 2008)

External links

• Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles at Doo Wop Heaven
• Labelle interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' June 2009
• Billboard review of Back To Now

Labelle Patti LaBelle Nona Hendryx Sarah Dash Cindy Birdsong Sundray Tucker Studio albums Labelle Moon Shadow Pressure Cookin' Nightbirds Phoenix Chameleon Back to Now Other albums Gonna Take a Miracle (Laura Nyro featuring Labelle) Singles "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman" "Down the Aisle" "You'll Never Walk Alone" "Danny Boy" "Over the Rainbow" "I'm Still Waiting" "Lady Marmalade" "What Can I Do for You?" Related topics Discography Albums Songs Members Book:Labelle