History of Patti LaBelle in Timeline
Patti LaBelle, born Patricia Louise Holte, is a highly acclaimed American R&B singer and actress, often called the "Godmother of Soul." She rose to prominence in the early 1960s as the lead singer of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles. The group later rebranded as Labelle in the 1970s, achieving significant success with the chart-topping hit "Lady Marmalade" before their split in 1976. LaBelle's powerful vocals and captivating stage presence have solidified her as a prominent figure in music history.
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, for about a year.
July 23, 1969: Marriage to Armstead Edwards
On July 23, 1969, Patti LaBelle married Armstead Edwards, who later became her manager.
July 17, 1973: Birth of Son, Zuri Kye Edwards
On July 17, 1973, Patti LaBelle's son, Zuri Kye Edwards, was born. He is now her manager.
October 1975: Death of Sister Vivian Hogan Rogers
In October 1975, Patti LaBelle's eldest sister, Vivian Hogan Rogers, died of lung cancer at the age of 43.
October 1978: Death of Mother, Bertha Holte
In October 1978, Patti LaBelle's mother, Bertha, died from diabetes at the age of 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 the age of 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.
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 the age of 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 the age of 70.
1991: Burnin' album dedication
In 1991, Patti LaBelle dedicated her Burnin' album to her sister, Jacqueline "Jackie" Holte-Padgett, who passed away in 1989
1994: Release of Gems
In 1994, Patti LaBelle's album, Gems, was released and went gold, featuring 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 with Tony Bennett, Arturo Sandoval, and Miami Sound Machine at the Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami.
1996: National Tree Lighting Ceremony
During the 2010s, Patti LaBelle's performance of "This Christmas" at the 1996 National Tree Lighting Ceremony broadcast live on C-SPAN began going viral annually during the holiday season due to LaBelle's reactions to technical difficulties and other performance challenges.
1996: Release of Memoirs
In 1996, Patti LaBelle released her bestselling memoirs, Don't Block the Blessings.
1997: Release of First Cookbook
In 1997, Patti LaBelle released the first of five bestselling cookbooks.
1998: Release of Live! One Night Only
In 1998, Patti LaBelle released the live album, Live! One Night Only.
February 1999: Grammy Win
In February 1999, Patti LaBelle won her second Grammy for the live album, Live! One Night Only.
2000: Legal Separation from Armstead Edwards
In 2000, Patti LaBelle and Armstead Edwards legally separated.
2000: Release of When a Woman Loves
In 2000, Patti LaBelle released her final MCA album, When a Woman Loves.
2003: Divorce from Armstead Edwards Finalized
In 2003, Patti LaBelle's divorce from Armstead Edwards was finalized.
2004: Release of Timeless Journey
In 2004, Patti LaBelle signed with Def Soul Classics to release the album, Timeless Journey.
2005: Release of Classic Moments & Career Rivalry
In 2005, Patti LaBelle released her covers album, Classic Moments, and had a rivalry with Antonio "L.A." Reid, leading to her departure from the label.
2006: Release of The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle
In 2006, Patti LaBelle released her first gospel album, The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle, which reached number one on Billboard's gospel chart.
2007: Return to Def Jam & Release of Miss Patti's Christmas
In 2007, Patti LaBelle returned to Def Jam and released her second holiday album, Miss Patti's Christmas.
2008: Labelle Reunion
In 2008, Patti LaBelle briefly reunited with Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash as Labelle on the group's first new album in more than 30 years, Back to Now.
September 14, 2010: Return to Broadway in Fela!
On September 14, 2010, Patti LaBelle returned to Broadway after two decades to star in the musical Fela! as Fela's mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.
2010: Incident at Trump Place Apartments
In 2010, Patti LaBelle yelled at a woman and spilled water on her baby in the lobby of the Trump Place Apartments in Manhattan, resulting in a settlement.
January 2, 2011: Final Performance in Fela!
On January 2, 2011, Patti LaBelle concluded her 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" and sang "Over the Rainbow" with Josh Groban.
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: Cross-Country US Tours
In 2012 Patti LaBelle appeared with Frankie Beverly & Maze on cross-country U.S. tours.
November 12, 2013: Acquittal of Bodyguard
On November 12, 2013, Efrem Holmes, Patti LaBelle's bodyguard, was acquitted of misdemeanor assault stemming from a 2011 incident.
March 6, 2014: Performance at the White House
On March 6, 2014, Patti LaBelle 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: Cross-Country US Tours
In 2014 Patti LaBelle appeared with Frankie Beverly & Maze on cross-country U.S. tours.
2015: Dancing with the Stars
In 2015, Patti LaBelle competed on the 20th season of Dancing with the Stars, partnered with Artem Chigvintsev, and was eliminated on Week 6, finishing in eighth place.
2015: Sweet Potato Pie Viral Video
In late 2015, Patti LaBelle's sweet potato pies gained widespread attention after a vlogger's enthusiastic review went viral.
2016: VH1 Divas: Holiday
In 2016, Patti LaBelle returned to the VH1 Divas stage, headlining a holiday-themed concert alongside Chaka Khan, Vanessa Williams, and Mariah Carey.
2017: Release of Bel Hommage
In 2017, Patti LaBelle's first jazz album, Bel Hommage, was released.
2017: Statement on LGBT Fans
In a 2017 interview, Patti LaBelle expressed her appreciation for her gay fans, acknowledging their support throughout her career.
2018: Recurring Roles on Television Series
In 2018, Patti LaBelle began appearing in recurring roles on the television series Daytime Divas, Greenleaf and Star.
July 2, 2019: Patti LaBelle Way
On July 2, 2019, Patti LaBelle was honored in Philadelphia with her own street name, Patti LaBelle Way.
September 2020: Verzuz Appearance
In September 2020, Patti LaBelle participated in the American webcast series Verzuz, alongside Gladys Knight.
2024: 80th Birthday, New 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.
