Patti LaBelle: The Untold Story of the Godmother of Soul

Born Patricia Louise Holte in 1944 in Southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the woman we know as Patti LaBelle was raised in a large family as the second-youngest of five children. Her father worked on the railroad and performed in clubs, while her mother was a domestic worker. From a young age, Patti found solace and purpose in music — she joined her church choir at age 10 and by 12 was singing solo. Her early life wasn’t easy. The marriage of her parents was troubled, and after her parents separated when she was 12, she experienced deep personal trauma. Yet despite hardship, she held onto music — both for comfort and as an outlet — listening to jazz, R&B and gospel as she grew up.In her mid-teens Patti began dreaming of making music beyond the church. By 1960, she formed a girl group called The Ordettes with friends at school. The next year members changed and the group evolved into Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles — soon to become simply Labelle in the '70s. The Bluebelles enjoyed moderate success: in '62 they scored a Top-20 hit. Later, they found acclaim covering classics like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” In the '70s Labelle’s sound evolved. The group embraced funk, soul, and rock — culminating in the '74 smash hit Lady Marmalade. The song and its style cemented their place in music history.But amidst growing fame, internal tensions and changing musical landscapes led to the group’s split in '77. That difficult moment became the launchpad for Patti’s solo journey. Patti’s debut solo album, simply titled Patti LaBelle, came out in '77. Her true breakthrough came mid-'80s. A string of hits turned Patti into a household name. 1986’s album Winner in You — featuring the duet On My Own with Michael McDonald — topped U.S. charts and solidified her commercial success.In the '90s Patti continued to release albums. She earned a second and sold tens of millions of records worldwide.Patti’s talents reach far beyond singing. Over the decades she’s dabbled in acting and is also a successful author. Her 1996 memoir Don't Block the Blessings: Revelations of a Lifetime gives insight into her hardships, faith and perseverance. She later penned cookbooks, launched a food brand with frozen comfort foods, and her signature sweet-potato pies.Today Patti LaBelle shows no signs of slowing down. In 2024, she marked her 80th birthday by announcing a brand new album titled 8065 — a tribute to her 80 years alive and 65 years in show business. She’s also hit the road with the “8065 Celebration Tour,” which will take her to audiences around the world — including stops planned for Australia and New Zealand early in 2026.At 81, Patti remains a powerhouse performer. Her message to fans? Age is just a number — and she’s proof. Reflecting on her decades-long career, she recently said she feels blessed to still be “standing” — able to sing, walk, and create. Her fans, across generations, couldn’t agree more.From “The Ordettes” to Stardom, this episode details the rise and rise of the legend we knowas Patti Labelle.Catch her on tour here:Jan 16 Rancho Mirage, CA, United StatesJan 17 Thunder Valley Casino Resort Lincoln, CA, Jan 20 Riverside Theatre Perth, AustraliaJan 22 Palais Theatre St Kilda, Jan 24 Adelaide Entertainment Centre Jan 25 Sydney Event Centre Jan 28 The Star Gold Coast Jan 30 The Civic Auckland, New ZealandFeb 12 Jacksonville, FL, Feb 13 Charlotte, NC, United StatesFeb 15 St Louis, MOFeb 19 New OrleansFeb 20 Houston, TXFeb 22 Fort Worth, TXMar 14 Westbury South, NY