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Theatre, Film, and Television Biographies
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Brian Klugman to Michael Lantieri
Patti LaBelle Biography (1944-)
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
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CREDITS
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Television Appearances
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Movies
- Jeanette Thompson, Unnatural Causes, NBC, 1986
- Lucille Jacobson, Fire and Rain, USA Network, 1989
- Cartier, Parker Kane, NBC, 1990
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Series
- Adele Wayne, a recurring role, A Different World, NBC, c. 1989-1993
- Chelsea Paige, Out All Night, NBC, 1992
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Specials
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Placido Domingo ... Stepping Out with the Ladies, 1980
- Cleaning woman, Working, PBS, 1982
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Eubie Blake: A Century of Music, PBS, 1983
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Sylvia Fine Kaye's Musical Comedy Tonight III (The Spark and the Glue), PBS, 1985
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Rock 'n' Wrestling Saturday Spectacular, CBS, 1985
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The 1st Annual CBS Easter Parade, CBS, 1985
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Motown Returns to the Apollo, NBC, 1985
- Host, The Patti LaBelle Show, NBC, 1985
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Night of 100 Stars II, NBC, 1985
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Live Aid, 1985
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Sisters in the Name of Love, HBO, 1986
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Liberty Weekend, ABC, 1986
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An All-Star Celebration Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., NBC, 1986
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Happy Birthday, Hollywood!, ABC, 1987
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We the People 200: The Constitutional Gala, CBS, 1987
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Ashford and Simpson: Going Home, The Disney Channel, 1988
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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
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The Songwriters' Hall of Fame 20th Anniversary: The Magic of Music, CBS, 1989
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Night of 100 Stars III, NBC, 1990
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MDA Jerry Lewis Telethon, syndicated, 1990
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Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, NBC, 1990
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Motown 30: What's Going On!, CBS, 1990
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Bob Hope's Yellow Ribbon Party, NBC, 1991
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A Comedy Salute to Michael Jordan, NBC, 1991
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The Dream Is Alive: The 20th Anniversary Celebration of Walt Disney World, CBS, 1991
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Gladys Knight's Holiday Family Reunion Concert, syndicated, 1991
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Going Home to Gospel with Patti LaBelle, PBS, 1991
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A Party for Richard Pryor, CBS, 1991
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Ray Charles: Fifty Years in Music--Uh Huh!, Fox, 1991
- Voice of Miss Widow, "Spider Junior High," HBO Storybook Musicals(animated), HBO, 1991
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Comic Relief V, HBO, 1992
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A Country Music Celebration, CBS, 1993
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For Our Children: The Concert, Disney Channel, 1993
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Christmas in Washington, NBC, 1993
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In a New Light '94, ABC, 1994
- "Rhythm, Country & Blues: An In the Spotlight Special," Inthe Spotlight, PBS, 1994
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Sinatra Duets, CBS, 1994
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The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts, CBS, 1994
- "Some Enchanted Evening: Celebrating Oscar Hammerstein II," Great Performances, PBS, 1995
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Sinatra: 80 Years My Way, ABC, 1995
- Halftime performer, Super Bowl XXIX, ABC, 1995
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The Soul Train 25th Anniversary Hall of Fame Special (also known as Soul Train's 25th Anniversary), CBS, 1995
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Tony Bennett: Here's to the Ladies--A Concert of Hope, CBS, 1995
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The History of Rock 'N' Roll, Volume 5 (also known as The Sounds of Soul), syndicated, 1995
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Celebrate the Dream: 50 Years of Ebony Magazine, ABC, 1996
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Happy Birthday Elizabeth: A Celebration of Life, ABC, 1997
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Intimate Portrait: Patti LaBelle, Lifetime, 1998
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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
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The American Red Cross Holiday Music Spectacular, Fox, 1999
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An Evening of Stars: A Celebration of Educational Excellence Benefitting the United Negro College Fund, syndicated, 1999
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Goodnight Moon and Other Sleepytime Tales, HBO, 1999
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Intimate Portrait: Della Reese, Lifetime, 1999
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Holidays with the Stars, E! Entertainment Television, 2000
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Soul Train Christmas Starfest, syndicated, 2000
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An Evening of Stars: A Celebration of Educational Excellence, syndicated, 2001
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The 4th Annual Soul Train Christmas Starfest, syndicated, 2001
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The 7th Annual BET Walk of Fame, Black Entertainment Television, 2001
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Dancing with Divas: A G-String Special, HBO, 2001
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Independence Day 2001, ABC, 2001
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Mariah Carey: The E! True Hollywood Story, E! Entertainment Television, 2001
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Patti LaBelle: Surviving with Soul, Arts and Entertainment, 2001
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Rupaul, Bravo, 2001
- Voice of Melody Songbird, Santa, Baby!, Fox, 2001
- The Wicked Witch of the West, The O.Z., Fox, 2002
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The 51st NBA All-Star Game, NBC, 2002
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The 5th Annual Sears Soul Train Christmas Starfest, The WB, 2002
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Emeril's Year End Bash, 2002
- Also appeared in Look to the Rainbow Tour.
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Episodic
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Where the Action Is, 1966
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Evening at Pops, PBS, 1970
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Soul Train, multiple appearances, between 1974 and 1994
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The Midnight Special, multiple appearances, between 1975 and 1980
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American Bandstand, 1976
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The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, multiple appearances, beginning 1985
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Late Night with David Letterman, 1986
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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
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The Roseanne Show, syndicated, 1998
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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.
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Awards Presentations
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The 20th Annual NAACP Image Awards, NBC, 1988
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The 2nd Annual Soul Train Music Awards, syndicated, 1988
- Host, The 3rd Annual Soul Train Music Awards, syndicated, 1989
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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
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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
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The Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, CBS, 1995
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The 10th Annual Soul Train Music Awards, The WB, 1996
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The 1996 Essence Awards, Fox, 1996
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The 28th NAACP Image Awards, Fox, 1997
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The 10th Essence Awards, Fox, 1997
- Host, The 12th Annual Soul Train Music Awards, syndicated, 1998
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The 1998 Essence Awards, Fox, 1998
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The 40th Annual Grammy Awards, CBS, 1998
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ALMA Awards, ABC, 1998
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The 4th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, syndicated, 1998
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The 1999 Billboard Music Awards, Fox, 1999
- Presenter, The 1999 Essence Awards, Fox, 1999
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The 2000 Trumpet Awards, TBS, 2000
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Essence Awards 2000, Fox, 2000
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The 1st Annual BET Awards, Black Entertainment Television, 2001
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The 7th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, syndicated, 2001
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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
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Film Appearances
- Big Mary, A Soldier's Story, Columbia, 1985
- Mrs. DeVere, Sing!, TriStar, 1989
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The Making and Meaning of "We Are Family" (also known as We AreFamily), 2002
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Film Work
- Song performer, "New Attitude" and "Stir It Up," Beverly Hills Cop, Paramount, 1984
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Stage Appearances
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Your Arms Too Short to Box with God, Alvin Theatre, New York City,1982
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Night of 100 Stars II, Radio City Music Hall, New York City, 1985
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Night of 100 Stars III, Radio City Music Hall, 1990
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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.
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Major Tours
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Your Arms Too Short to Box with God, U.S. cities, 1981-1982
- Appeared in numerous musical concert tours.
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RECORDINGS
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Albums
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Apollo Presents the Bluebelles, Newtown Music, 1963
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Sleigh Bells, Jingle Bells and Blue Bells, Newtown Music, 1964
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The Bluebelles on Stage, Parkway, 1965
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Over the Rainbow, Atlantic, 1966
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Dreamer, Atlantic, 1967
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Gonna Take a Miracle, CBS, 1971
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Labelle, Warner Bros., 1971
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Moon Shadows, Warner Bros., 1972
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Pressure Cookin', 1974
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Nightbirds, 1975
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C'est la Vie, DJM, 1975
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Chameleon, 1976
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Patti LaBelle, Epic, 1977
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Tasty, Epic, 1978
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It's Alright with Me, Epic, 1979
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Released, Epic, 1980
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Live at the Apollo, 1980
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The Spirits in It, Philadelphia I, 1981
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I'm in Love Again, Philadelphia I, 1983
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Patti, Philadelphia I, 1985
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Winner in You, MCA, 1986
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Be Yourself, MCA, 1989
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This Christmas, MCA, 1990
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Burnin', MCA, 1991
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Wishing You a Merry Christmas, Hits of Sugarhill, 1991
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Live!, MCA, 1992
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Down the Aisle, Relic, 1992
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Patti, Be Yourself, Live, 1993
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Gems, MCA, 1994
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Over the Rainbow: The Atlantic Years, Ichiban, 1994
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Christmas, MCA Special Products, 1995
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At the Apollo, Collectables, 1995
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Our Christmas Songbook, Collectables, 1995
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Patti Labelle & the Bluebirds, Pilz, 1995
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Yo Mister, Ariola Express, 1997
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Flame, MCA, 1997
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Sleigh Bells, Jingle Bells and Bluebirds, Beacon, 1997
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Live! One Night Only, 1998
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Live at the Apollo, Blue Moon, 1999
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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.
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Compilation Albums
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Greatest Hits, Trip, 1971
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The Best of Patti Labelle, Epic, 1986
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La Belle, Sony Special Products, 1993
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The Best of the Bluebelles, Relic, 1994
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Miss Soul, Sony Special Products, 1995
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Greatest Hits, MCA, 1996
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Miss Soul, AMW, 1998
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Christmas Classics, Hip-O, 1998
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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.
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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.
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WRITINGS
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Composer
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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
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Television Music
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Series
- Lyricist, "Out All Night" (theme song), Out All Night, NBC, 1992
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Books
- (With Laura B. Randolph) Don't Block the Blessings: Revelations of a Lifetime (autobiography), Riverhead Books, 1996
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LaBelle Cuisine: Recipes to Sing About, Broadway Books, 1999
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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
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Contemporary Black Biography, Volume 30, Gale, 2001
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Notable Black American Women, Book 2, Gale, 1996
Periodicals
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Billboard, May 24, 1997, p. 28
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Essence, March, 1991, p. 69; December, 1997, p. 92
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Jet, November 18, 1996, pp. 64-65; August 18, 1997, pp. 58-60; September 8, 1997, p. 32; October 9, 2000
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People Weekly, November 11, 1996, pp. 91-92
Electronic
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Patti LaBelle, http://www.pattilabelle.com, March 24, 2003
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