Labelle

Alongside The Delfonics and The Stylistics, Labelle stand as one Philadelphia's great girl groups with their classic hit Lady Marmalade still setting dance floors alight and influencing young artists today. Originally spotted in a talent contest in 1958, the group's first hit came under the name The Blue Belles, when I Sold My Heart To A Junkman made the US Top 20 - though it was later revealed that the song was recorded by label mates The Starlets and they were only brought in to promote the single because The Starlets were away on tour. Lead singer Patti Holte became Patti LaBelle (French for 'the beautiful one') soon after and the trio - with Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash - went on to make their name with soulful versions of popular standards such as Danny Boy, You'll Never Walk Alone and Down The Aisle. They sang backing vocals on Wilson Pickett's hit 634-5789 (Soulville, USA), but their innocent image and sugar sweet harmonies began to look outdated by the end of the decade. In 1970 they moved to London, renamed themselves Labelle and adopted a sexier look, funkier sound and a more mature attitude before heading out on tour as opening act for The Who and The Rolling Stones. They appeared on Laura Nyro's Gonna Take A Miracle (1971), before working with New Orleans producer Allen Toussaint on Top 10 album Nightbirds (1974), producing the sensational hit Lady Marmalade, which topped the US singles charts and became a classic slice of 1970s soul and a key influence on the disco era. The track was later covered by Christina Aguilera, Mya, Pink and Lil Kim and All Saints, and was the climax of Labelle's career. They split a year later, with Patti LaBelle going on to have a successful solo career and win two Grammy Awards. Labelle reformed in 2005 for the album Back To Now (2008) featuring Wyclef Jean.

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