History of Patti LaBelle in Timeline
Patti LaBelle, the "Godmother of Soul," is a celebrated American R&B singer and actress. She launched her career in the early 1960s as the lead singer of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles. The group later became Labelle in the 1970s, achieving a number-one hit with "Lady Marmalade." The group disbanded in 1976, after which LaBelle continued with a successful solo career.
1962: Dropped out of High School
In 1962, Patti LaBelle dropped out of Philadelphia's John Bartram High School just a semester before graduating.
1964: Engagement to Otis Williams
Around 1964, Patti LaBelle was engaged to Otis Williams, founding member of The Temptations. The engagement lasted a year before LaBelle broke it off.
July 23, 1969: Marriage to Armstead Edwards
On July 23, 1969, Patti LaBelle married a longtime friend, Armstead Edwards, who was a schoolteacher.
July 17, 1973: Birth of Son, Zuri Kye Edwards
On July 17, 1973, Patti LaBelle gave birth to her son, Zuri Kye Edwards.
October 1975: Death of Sister, Vivian Hogan Rogers
In October 1975, Patti LaBelle's eldest sister, Vivian Hogan Rogers, died of lung cancer at 43.
October 1978: Death of Mother, Bertha Holte
In October 1978, Patti LaBelle's mother, Bertha, died from diabetes at age 62.
October 1982: Death of Sister, Barbara Holte Purifoy
In October 1982, Patti LaBelle's elder sister, Barbara Holte Purifoy, died from complications of colon cancer at 40.
1987: Spokesperson for National Minority AIDS Council
In 1987, Patti LaBelle became a spokesperson for the National Minority AIDS council and promoted the "Live Long, Sugar" campaign to encourage people of color to seek treatment for AIDS. She raised awareness around the AIDS crisis and supported the LGBT community.
July 1989: Death of Sister, Jacqueline "Jackie" Holte-Padgett
In July 1989, Patti LaBelle lost her youngest sister, Jacqueline "Jackie" Holte-Padgett, to brain cancer at 43.
October 1989: Death of Father, Henry Holte Jr.
In October 1989, Patti LaBelle's father, Henry Holte Jr., died from complications from emphysema and Alzheimer's disease at age 70.
1991: Dedication of Burnin' Album and Concert Tour
In 1991, Patti LaBelle dedicated her Burnin' album and her rendition of "Wind Beneath My Wings" during her concert tour to her late sister, Jacqueline "Jackie" Holte-Padgett.
1991: Collaboration and Album Release
In 1991, Patti LaBelle recorded a duet version of "Superwoman" with Gladys Knight and Dionne Warwick. The same year, she released the solo album, Burnin', featuring collaborations with various artists and went gold with three top five singles on the R&B charts.
1992: Grammy Award Win
In 1992, Patti LaBelle won her first Grammy Award in the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance category at the 34th Annual Grammy Award Ceremony for her album Burnin'. She shared the win with Lisa Fischer, and was also nominated for "Superwoman."
1994: Album Release
In 1994, Patti LaBelle's album, Gems, went gold and featured the hit "The Right Kinda Lover".
January 29, 1995: Super Bowl XXIX Halftime Performance
On January 29, 1995, Patti LaBelle performed at the Super Bowl XXIX halftime show in Miami with Tony Bennett, Arturo Sandoval, and Miami Sound Machine.
1996: National Tree Lighting Ceremony Performance
In 1996, Patti LaBelle performed "This Christmas" at the National Tree Lighting Ceremony. The performance began going viral annually during the holiday season due to LaBelle's reactions to technical difficulties.
1996: Release of Memoirs
In 1996, Patti LaBelle released her bestselling memoirs, Don't Block the Blessings.
1997: First Cookbook Release
In 1997, Patti LaBelle released the first of five bestselling cookbooks.
1998: Live Album Release and Essence Award
In 1998, Patti LaBelle released the live album, Live! One Night Only, and was honored with the Triumphant Spirit Award for Career Achievement at the Essence Awards.
February 1999: Second Grammy Win
In February 1999, Patti LaBelle won her second Grammy for her live album, Live! One Night Only.
2000: Separation from Armstead Edwards
In 2000, Patti LaBelle and Armstead Edwards legally separated.
2000: Final MCA Album
In 2000, Patti LaBelle released her final MCA album, When a Woman Loves.
2003: Divorce from Armstead Edwards Finalized
In 2003, Patti LaBelle and Armstead Edwards' divorce was finalized.
2004: Signing with Def Soul Classics and Album Release
In 2004, Patti LaBelle signed with Def Soul Classics and released the album, Timeless Journey.
2005: Release of Covers Album and Label Departure
In 2005, Patti LaBelle released her covers album, Classic Moments, and left the label due to a rivalry with Antonio "L.A." Reid over her career direction. She also collaborated with Olivia Newton-John on Newton-John's album Stronger Than Before.
2006: Gospel Album Release and Book
In 2006, Patti LaBelle released her first gospel album, The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle, which reached number one on Billboard's gospel chart. LaBelle also released the book, Patti's Pearls, during this period.
2007: Return to Def Jam and Holiday Album Release
In 2007, Patti LaBelle returned to Def Jam and released her second holiday album, Miss Patti's Christmas.
2008: Labelle Reunion and New Album
In 2008, Patti LaBelle briefly reunited with Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash as Labelle for the group's first new album in more than 30 years, Back to Now.
September 14, 2010: Broadway Return in Fela!
On September 14, 2010, Patti LaBelle returned to Broadway after two decades to star in the musical Fela! as Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.
2010: Manhattan Incident and Settlement
In 2010, Patti LaBelle was involved in an incident in Manhattan where she yelled at a woman and spilled water on her baby. She agreed to a $100,000 settlement to avoid a trial, and the family donated the award to charity.
January 2, 2011: End of Fela! Run
On January 2, 2011, Patti LaBelle concluded her performance run in the Broadway musical Fela!.
May 23, 2011: Appearance on Oprah's Farewell Spectacular
On May 23, 2011, Patti LaBelle appeared on "Oprah's Farewell Spectacular, Part 1" singing "Over the Rainbow" with Josh Groban.
June 2011: Lawsuit Filed by West Point Cadet
In June 2011, a West Point cadet filed a civil suit against Patti LaBelle after he was allegedly assaulted by her bodyguards at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. The cadet sought $1 million in civil court and Labelle filed a counter-suit.
June 26, 2011: Lifetime Achievement Award at BET Awards
On June 26, 2011, Patti LaBelle was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards.
2012: U.S. Tours
In 2012, Patti LaBelle appeared with Frankie Beverly & Maze on cross-country U.S. tours.
March 6, 2014: "Women of Soul: In Performance at the White House" Concert
On March 6, 2014, Patti LaBelle, along with Aretha Franklin, performed at the "Women of Soul: In Performance at the White House" concert hosted by President Barack Obama.
June 10, 2014: Return to Broadway in After Midnight
On June 10, 2014, Patti LaBelle returned to Broadway as a "Special Guest Star" in the musical After Midnight.
2014: U.S. Tours
In 2014, Patti LaBelle appeared with Frankie Beverly & Maze on cross-country U.S. tours.
2015: Dancing with the Stars Competition and Empire Appearance
In 2015, Patti LaBelle competed on the 20th season of Dancing with the Stars, finishing in eighth place. She also made a guest appearance on Fox's television series Empire as herself.
2015: Sweet Potato Pie Viral Video and Walmart Commercials
In late 2015, James Wright's (No Channel) enthusiastic YouTube review of Patti LaBelle's sweet potato pies went viral, causing them to sell out at Walmart stores across the country. She subsequently appeared in two Walmart commercials and an Old Spice commercial.
2016: VH1 Divas: Holiday Concert
In 2016, Patti LaBelle returned to the VH1 Divas stage, headlining a holiday-themed concert alongside Chaka Khan, Vanessa Williams, and Mariah Carey.
2017: Jazz Album Release
In 2017, Patti LaBelle's first jazz album, Bel Hommage, was released.
2017: Description as a Gay Icon
In a 2017 interview, Patti LaBelle reflected on her strong support from gay fans, who have loved her when others have not. The New York Times named LaBelle one of "America's Most Beloved Divas."
2018: Recurring Television Roles
In 2018, Patti LaBelle began appearing in recurring roles on the television series Daytime Divas, Greenleaf and Star.
July 2, 2019: Street Naming in Philadelphia
On July 2, 2019, Patti LaBelle was honored in Philadelphia with her very own street name Patti LaBelle Way between Locust and Spruce Street.
September 2020: Verzuz Participation
In September 2020, Patti LaBelle participated in the American webcast series Verzuz, alongside Gladys Knight with a surprise appearance by Dionne Warwick, live from The Fillmore in Philadelphia.
2024: 80th Birthday Album and Tour Announcement
In 2024, while celebrating her 80th birthday, Patti LaBelle revealed she was releasing a new album, 8065, and announced a tour of the same name.
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