Patti LaBelle (1944-present) has had a long career pushing boundaries in soul and gospel music. In fact, she’s known as ‘The Godmother of Soul.'
Patti LaBelle (1944-present) has had a long career pushing boundaries in soul and gospel music. In fact, she’s known as ‘The Godmother of Soul.'
History classes can get a bad wrap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.
Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Liz Smith, Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, and Ale Tejeda. Special thanks to Shira Atkins.
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Hello! I’m Allison Russell. I’m a Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, poet, and activist. I’ve been inspired by artists like Nina Simone and Edith Piaf who turned their faces into the blade of storm and roared back dignity and hope.
This month, I’m your guest host on Womanica.
Today’s musician has had a long career pushing boundaries in soul and gospel music. In fact, she’s known as ‘The Godmother of Soul’. Please welcome Patti LaBelle.
Patti LaBelle was born Patricia Holte on May 24, 1944 in southwest Philadelphia. Bertha and Henry Holte raised their five children in a working class black neighborhood and Patti – or Patsy, as they called her – was the second youngest.
In her later memoir “Don’t Block the Blessings,” Patti recalled a loving childhood. She described her house as “the hangout,” with people from the neighborhood always coming and going, the living room packed with people laughing and talking. Patti would watch the action from the top of the stairs.
All that changed when Patti’s parents’ arguments turned to brutal fights and her father got abusive. The divorce was hard for her, she was just a kid, and she adored her father.Then, her mother’s new boyfriend sexually abused Patti, a secret she kept from her family, at the time. Patti wrote that it was then that music “ gave me something to believe when I thought I had lost my faith.”
Patti began to sing and soon joined the choir at her local Baptist church. After she performed her first solo, the crowd was blown away. She later told the New York Times: “That’s when I first realized I had talent.”
In 1960 Patti joined a group of singers that a couple of years later became known as The Bluebelles. Patti, the lead singer, became Patti LaBelle. The Bluebelles frequently performed at hubs of Black music. They earned national recognition playing at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York, mostly singing covers as they tried to push their way into a male-dominated scene.
But these early years only brought The Bluebelles modest success. In 1971, under new management they changed their name to “LaBelle” and shifted to a more glam rock sound to fit the times. During these years Patti married and started a family, but she remained focused on her music.
“LaBelle” got attention with their 1974 record “Nightbirds”. The first single off the album, “Lady Marmalade”, blew up. It was their first No. 1 hit in 12 years and the song was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
The group now had influence. Cultural anthropologistMaureen Mahon later wrote in her book “Black Diamond Queens,” that their “rebellious performance stances, frank engagement with sexuality and adventurous, high-energy music positioned the group to take a place on the rock stage.”
The success and following tour caused tension in the group over musical direction. “LaBelle” split in 1976 and Patti began her solo career. She started strong with her critically-acclaimed and self-titled debut album. Patti has released 23 albums since then and sold more than 50 million records worldwide. Her career has also been marked by great successes in acting, dancing, and writing.
Today, Patti LaBelle is in her 70s and lives in Philadelphia. Her mastery of many genres, including gospel, soul, and rock, makes her a lasting influence in our musical landscape.
All month long, we’re highlighting Black musicians. Womanica is a Wonder Media Network production. Special thanks to co-creators Jenny and Liz Kaplan, who invited me to guest host this month.
Talk to you tomorrow!