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Patti LaBelle Biography (1944-)

  1. Theatre, Film, and Television Biographies
  2. Brian Klugman to Michael Lantieri

Original name, Patricia Louise Holte (some sources spell surname Holt); bornOctober 4 (some sources cite May 24), 1944, in Philadelphia, PA; daughter ofHenry Holte (a railroad worker); married Armstead Edwards (a personal manager), July 23, 1969 (divorced, 2000); children: five (some adopted), including Zuri, Stanley, and Dodd. Addresses: Agent: Rob Light, Creative ArtistsAgency, 9830 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212.; Contact: c/o MCA Records Inc., 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608.

Nationality
American
Gender
Female
Occupation
Singer, songwriter, actress
Birth Details
October 4, 1944
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Famous Works

  • CREDITS
  • Television Appearances
  • Movies
  • Jeanette Thompson, Unnatural Causes, NBC, 1986
  • Lucille Jacobson, Fire and Rain, USA Network, 1989
  • Cartier, Parker Kane, NBC, 1990
  • Series
  • Adele Wayne, a recurring role, A Different World, NBC, c. 1989-1993
  • Chelsea Paige, Out All Night, NBC, 1992
  • Specials
  • Placido Domingo ... Stepping Out with the Ladies, 1980
  • Cleaning woman, Working, PBS, 1982
  • Eubie Blake: A Century of Music, PBS, 1983
  • Sylvia Fine Kaye's Musical Comedy Tonight III (The Spark and the Glue), PBS, 1985
  • Rock 'n' Wrestling Saturday Spectacular, CBS, 1985
  • The 1st Annual CBS Easter Parade, CBS, 1985
  • Motown Returns to the Apollo, NBC, 1985
  • Host, The Patti LaBelle Show, NBC, 1985
  • Night of 100 Stars II, NBC, 1985
  • Live Aid, 1985
  • Sisters in the Name of Love, HBO, 1986
  • Liberty Weekend, ABC, 1986
  • An All-Star Celebration Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., NBC, 1986
  • Happy Birthday, Hollywood!, ABC, 1987
  • We the People 200: The Constitutional Gala, CBS, 1987
  • Ashford and Simpson: Going Home, The Disney Channel, 1988
  • Sesame Street Special (also known as Put Down the Duckie),PBS, 1988
  • Acid Queen, Fox Presents "Tommy" Performed by the Who (also knownas The Who Live: Featuring the Rock Opera Tommy), Fox, 1989
  • The Songwriters' Hall of Fame 20th Anniversary: The Magic of Music, CBS, 1989
  • Night of 100 Stars III, NBC, 1990
  • MDA Jerry Lewis Telethon, syndicated, 1990
  • Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, NBC, 1990
  • Motown 30: What's Going On!, CBS, 1990
  • Bob Hope's Yellow Ribbon Party, NBC, 1991
  • A Comedy Salute to Michael Jordan, NBC, 1991
  • The Dream Is Alive: The 20th Anniversary Celebration of Walt Disney World, CBS, 1991
  • Gladys Knight's Holiday Family Reunion Concert, syndicated, 1991
  • Going Home to Gospel with Patti LaBelle, PBS, 1991
  • A Party for Richard Pryor, CBS, 1991
  • Ray Charles: Fifty Years in Music--Uh Huh!, Fox, 1991
  • Voice of Miss Widow, "Spider Junior High," HBO Storybook Musicals(animated), HBO, 1991
  • Comic Relief V, HBO, 1992
  • A Country Music Celebration, CBS, 1993
  • For Our Children: The Concert, Disney Channel, 1993
  • Christmas in Washington, NBC, 1993
  • In a New Light '94, ABC, 1994
  • "Rhythm, Country & Blues: An In the Spotlight Special," Inthe Spotlight, PBS, 1994
  • Sinatra Duets, CBS, 1994
  • The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts, CBS, 1994
  • "Some Enchanted Evening: Celebrating Oscar Hammerstein II," Great Performances, PBS, 1995
  • Sinatra: 80 Years My Way, ABC, 1995
  • Halftime performer, Super Bowl XXIX, ABC, 1995
  • The Soul Train 25th Anniversary Hall of Fame Special (also known as Soul Train's 25th Anniversary), CBS, 1995
  • Tony Bennett: Here's to the Ladies--A Concert of Hope, CBS, 1995
  • The History of Rock 'N' Roll, Volume 5 (also known as The Sounds of Soul), syndicated, 1995
  • Celebrate the Dream: 50 Years of Ebony Magazine, ABC, 1996
  • Happy Birthday Elizabeth: A Celebration of Life, ABC, 1997
  • Intimate Portrait: Patti LaBelle, Lifetime, 1998
  • Patti LaBelle Live! One Night Only, PBS, 1998
  • Host, The 1998 Soul Train Christmas Starfest, syndicated, 1998
  • Host, The 2nd Annual Soul Train Christmas Starfest, syndicated, 1999
  • The American Red Cross Holiday Music Spectacular, Fox, 1999
  • An Evening of Stars: A Celebration of Educational Excellence Benefitting the United Negro College Fund, syndicated, 1999
  • Goodnight Moon and Other Sleepytime Tales, HBO, 1999
  • Intimate Portrait: Della Reese, Lifetime, 1999
  • Holidays with the Stars, E! Entertainment Television, 2000
  • Soul Train Christmas Starfest, syndicated, 2000
  • An Evening of Stars: A Celebration of Educational Excellence, syndicated, 2001
  • The 4th Annual Soul Train Christmas Starfest, syndicated, 2001
  • The 7th Annual BET Walk of Fame, Black Entertainment Television, 2001
  • Dancing with Divas: A G-String Special, HBO, 2001
  • Independence Day 2001, ABC, 2001
  • Mariah Carey: The E! True Hollywood Story, E! Entertainment Television, 2001
  • Patti LaBelle: Surviving with Soul, Arts and Entertainment, 2001
  • Rupaul, Bravo, 2001
  • Voice of Melody Songbird, Santa, Baby!, Fox, 2001
  • The Wicked Witch of the West, The O.Z., Fox, 2002
  • The 51st NBA All-Star Game, NBC, 2002
  • The 5th Annual Sears Soul Train Christmas Starfest, The WB, 2002
  • Emeril's Year End Bash, 2002
  • Also appeared in Look to the Rainbow Tour.
  • Episodic
  • Where the Action Is, 1966
  • Evening at Pops, PBS, 1970
  • Soul Train, multiple appearances, between 1974 and 1994
  • The Midnight Special, multiple appearances, between 1975 and 1980
  • American Bandstand, 1976
  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, multiple appearances, beginning 1985
  • Late Night with David Letterman, 1986
  • Dolly, ABC, 1987
  • "I Don't Remember Mama," The Nanny, CBS, 1994
  • "Deck the Halls," The Puzzle Place, 1995
  • Charlene, "The Return of the Charlites," Cosby, CBS, 1997
  • The Roseanne Show, syndicated, 1998
  • BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley, Black Entertainment Television, 2001
  • "Dilemma," Making the Video, 2002
  • Also appeared in Cribs, MTV; Journeys in Black, Black Entertainment Television; and The Remarkable Journey.
  • Awards Presentations
  • The 20th Annual NAACP Image Awards, NBC, 1988
  • The 2nd Annual Soul Train Music Awards, syndicated, 1988
  • Host, The 3rd Annual Soul Train Music Awards, syndicated, 1989
  • The American Music Awards, ABC, 1989
  • Host, The 4th Annual Soul Train Music Awards, syndicated, 1990
  • Host, The 5th Annual Soul Train Music Awards, syndicated, 1991
  • Host, The 6th Annual Soul Train Awards, syndicated, 1992
  • The 24th Annual NAACP Image Awards, NBC, 1992
  • Host, The 7th Annual Soul Train Music Awards, syndicated, 1993
  • Host, The Essence Awards, CBS, 1993
  • Presenter, The 35th Annual Grammy Awards, CBS, 1993
  • Presenter, The American Music Awards, ABC, 1993
  • Host, The 8th Annual Soul Train Music Awards, syndicated, 1994
  • Host, The 9th Annual Soul Train Music Awards, syndicated, 1995
  • Presenter, The American Music Awards, ABC, 1995
  • The Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, CBS, 1995
  • The 10th Annual Soul Train Music Awards, The WB, 1996
  • The 1996 Essence Awards, Fox, 1996
  • The 28th NAACP Image Awards, Fox, 1997
  • The 10th Essence Awards, Fox, 1997
  • Host, The 12th Annual Soul Train Music Awards, syndicated, 1998
  • The 1998 Essence Awards, Fox, 1998
  • The 40th Annual Grammy Awards, CBS, 1998
  • ALMA Awards, ABC, 1998
  • The 4th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, syndicated, 1998
  • The 1999 Billboard Music Awards, Fox, 1999
  • Presenter, The 1999 Essence Awards, Fox, 1999
  • The 2000 Trumpet Awards, TBS, 2000
  • Essence Awards 2000, Fox, 2000
  • The 1st Annual BET Awards, Black Entertainment Television, 2001
  • The 7th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, syndicated, 2001
  • Television Work
  • Theme song performer, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf (special), 1982
  • Theme song performer, "Out All Night," Out All Night (series), NBC, 1992
  • Theme song performer, "Get with the Program," The Oprah Winfrey Show (series), 1996-1998
  • Film Appearances
  • Big Mary, A Soldier's Story, Columbia, 1985
  • Mrs. DeVere, Sing!, TriStar, 1989
  • The Making and Meaning of "We Are Family" (also known as We AreFamily), 2002
  • Film Work
  • Song performer, "New Attitude" and "Stir It Up," Beverly Hills Cop, Paramount, 1984
  • Stage Appearances
  • Your Arms Too Short to Box with God, Alvin Theatre, New York City,1982
  • Night of 100 Stars II, Radio City Music Hall, New York City, 1985
  • Night of 100 Stars III, Radio City Music Hall, 1990
  • Patti LaBelle on Broadway, St. James Theater, New York City, 1998
  • Also appeared in House of Flowers; performed several solo shows onBroadway; appeared in numerous concerts.
  • Major Tours
  • Your Arms Too Short to Box with God, U.S. cities, 1981-1982
  • Appeared in numerous musical concert tours.
  • RECORDINGS
  • Albums
  • Apollo Presents the Bluebelles, Newtown Music, 1963
  • Sleigh Bells, Jingle Bells and Blue Bells, Newtown Music, 1964
  • The Bluebelles on Stage, Parkway, 1965
  • Over the Rainbow, Atlantic, 1966
  • Dreamer, Atlantic, 1967
  • Gonna Take a Miracle, CBS, 1971
  • Labelle, Warner Bros., 1971
  • Moon Shadows, Warner Bros., 1972
  • Pressure Cookin', 1974
  • Nightbirds, 1975
  • C'est la Vie, DJM, 1975
  • Chameleon, 1976
  • Patti LaBelle, Epic, 1977
  • Tasty, Epic, 1978
  • It's Alright with Me, Epic, 1979
  • Released, Epic, 1980
  • Live at the Apollo, 1980
  • The Spirits in It, Philadelphia I, 1981
  • I'm in Love Again, Philadelphia I, 1983
  • Patti, Philadelphia I, 1985
  • Winner in You, MCA, 1986
  • Be Yourself, MCA, 1989
  • This Christmas, MCA, 1990
  • Burnin', MCA, 1991
  • Wishing You a Merry Christmas, Hits of Sugarhill, 1991
  • Live!, MCA, 1992
  • Down the Aisle, Relic, 1992
  • Patti, Be Yourself, Live, 1993
  • Gems, MCA, 1994
  • Over the Rainbow: The Atlantic Years, Ichiban, 1994
  • Christmas, MCA Special Products, 1995
  • At the Apollo, Collectables, 1995
  • Our Christmas Songbook, Collectables, 1995
  • Patti Labelle & the Bluebirds, Pilz, 1995
  • Yo Mister, Ariola Express, 1997
  • Flame, MCA, 1997
  • Sleigh Bells, Jingle Bells and Bluebirds, Beacon, 1997
  • Live! One Night Only, 1998
  • Live at the Apollo, Blue Moon, 1999
  • When a Woman Loves, MCA, 2000
  • Also recorded the albums Back to the Grindstone; Christmas withPatti Labelle & the Bluebelles, Pilz; Good Woman; and Merry Christmas, Mistletoe. Singles include "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman,"1962; "The Right Kinda Lover," MCA, 1994; "When You Talk about Love," MCA, 1997; "Way up There" (theme song of National Aeronautic and Space Administration), Hip-O Records, 2002; "All Right Now," MCA; "On My Own"; and "When You'veBeen Blessed," MCA.
  • Compilation Albums
  • Greatest Hits, Trip, 1971
  • The Best of Patti Labelle, Epic, 1986
  • La Belle, Sony Special Products, 1993
  • The Best of the Bluebelles, Relic, 1994
  • Miss Soul, Sony Special Products, 1995
  • Greatest Hits, MCA, 1996
  • Miss Soul, AMW, 1998
  • Christmas Classics, Hip-O, 1998
  • The Best of the Early Years, Hip-O, 1999
  • Also producer of the compilations Early Hits, Trip; The Early Years, Ace; Golden Classics, Collectables; and The Spirit's in It/I'm in Love Again/Patti, Westside.
  • Videos
  • Appeared in the music videos "Dilemma" by Nelly and "Freakin' It" by WillSmith. Many of LaBelle's albums and concert performances have also been released as videos.
  • WRITINGS
  • Composer
  • Songs Featured in Films
  • "Pourin' Whiskey Blues," A Soldier's Story, Columbia, 1984
  • "New Attitude" and "Stir It Up," Beverly Hills Cop, Paramount, 1984
  • "In the Nick of Time," Brewster's Millions, 1985
  • "Something Special (Is Gonna Happen Tonight)," Sweet Liberty, 1986
  • "I Know What I Want," Running Scared, 1986
  • "Just the Facts," Dragnet, 1987
  • "If You Asked Me To," License to Kill, 1989
  • "We Haven't Finished Yet," The Five Heartbeats, 1991
  • "Ready for a Miracle," Leap of Faith, 1992
  • "Lady Marmalade," The Long Kiss Goodnight, 1996
  • Television Music
  • Series
  • Lyricist, "Out All Night" (theme song), Out All Night, NBC, 1992
  • Books
  • (With Laura B. Randolph) Don't Block the Blessings: Revelations of a Lifetime (autobiography), Riverhead Books, 1996
  • LaBelle Cuisine: Recipes to Sing About, Broadway Books, 1999
  • Patti's Pearls, Warner Books (New York City), 2001
  • (With Laura Randolph Lancaster) Patti LaBelle's Lite Cuisine: Over 100Dishes with To-Die-For Taste Made with To-Live-For Recipes, Gotham Books, 2003

Further Reference

OTHER SOURCES

    Books

    • Contemporary Black Biography, Volume 30, Gale, 2001
    • Notable Black American Women, Book 2, Gale, 1996

    Periodicals

    • Billboard, May 24, 1997, p. 28
    • Essence, March, 1991, p. 69; December, 1997, p. 92
    • Jet, November 18, 1996, pp. 64-65; August 18, 1997, pp. 58-60; September 8, 1997, p. 32; October 9, 2000
    • People Weekly, November 11, 1996, pp. 91-92

    Electronic

    • Patti LaBelle, http://www.pattilabelle.com, March 24, 2003