Beautiful, simply does not
describe the incomparable force known to the world as Patti LaBelle. As time
continues to evolve, the soulful songbird’s name has become synonymous with
grace, style, elegance and class.
Belting out classic rhythm and blues renditions, pop standards and
spiritual sonnets have created the unique platform of versatility that Ms.
Patti is known and revered for.
In 2009, she reunited with Sarah
Dash and Nona Hendryx for the first time in 30 years for the critically
acclaimed Labelle reunion album, Back to
Now. It’s a small wonder that Patti
has time for anything else in between recording and touring, but she makes time and the world is oh so happy that she
does!
Patti has her own wig line, The Patti LaBelle Collection, and in November
2008, she released her fifth book and third cookbook, Recipes for The Good Life, and an instructional cooking DVD, In the Kitchen with Miss Patti. The
cookbook features recipes and anecdotes that reflect Patti's philosophy that good
cooking and the love of entertaining come from the heart. More recently, Patti introduced a line of signature
sauces and marinades called Lady Marmalade and launched a designer bedding
collection with Macy’s, Patti LaBelle Home.
In addition to her amazing career as an entertainer and
entrepreneurial success, Ms. LaBelle’s work as a humanitarian is just as
legendary. She remains an advocate for adoption, foster care, Big Sisters and
the United Negro College Fund, among many other initiatives. While Ms.
LaBelle's celebrated 50-year career is respected world-wide, she has also
endured and survived personal strife. Within a 10-year period, she lost her
mother, three sisters and best friend to diabetes and cancer. In 1994, LaBelle
was diagnosed with diabetes and shortly thereafter became a spokesperson for
the American Diabetes Association.
The same motivation that had
Patricia Louise Holte blossom from a choir member to lead vocalist for Patti
LaBelle & The Bluebelles and later Labelle, to a solo artist is the same
energy that keeps her fire burning at six-three years young. “Each year I grow,
and that’s a blessing from God. I do
what I can do. I do what I feel God has
given me the energy to do, so I just go out there and I do it…It’s not about making
money because I don’t need money, but I need to sing. With a voice or without, I’ve got to get on
that stage.” And the world is thankful
that Ms. Patti’s voice sounds so good to our ears.