Ledyard, CT—Black Friday is usually known as the kickoff to Christmas shopping and continued holiday festivities. This Black Friday at Foxwoods renowned Premier Theater a truly a one of a kind presentation was about to unfold. Headlining the evening’s entertainment was none other than The Godmother of Soul Ms. Patti LaBelle.
Long before her distinguished solo career, the legendary nightingale began sharing her most blessed gift as front-woman for music group The Blue Belles. Their 1962 debut track “I Sold My Heart To The Junkman” gave them airplay yet it wasn’t until the group transitioned to the DooWop genre that awarded them success with hits like “Down The Aisle (The Wedding Song), “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and famous remake of “Over The Rainbow” making them blissful songstresses of the era.
When 70’s funk made its landfall, it took over the industry like wildfire causing a new wave in the music industry that altered the group’s sound, signature, and style. Adapting to the new trend, the ladies were given a cutting-edge look with the fresh primal name Labelle.
The funkadelic trio gained instant fame with 1974 smash hit “Lady Marmalade” off their Nightbirds album achieving Gold status. Labelle also became the first Black female group to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House in addition to becoming the first Black female group to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone.
Over forty years later, Ms. LaBelle’s solo path has been well above exceptional. Basking in the afterglow of a highly successful Grammy winning career with numerous top 20 R&B hits, seven NAACP Image Awards, two American Music Awards, the Essence Triumphant Spirit Award, a Cable Ace Award, three Emmy nominations, several Lifetime achievement awards, and star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame, this vivacious legend still has it going on.
Performing her setlist of award winning hits “Love, Need And Want”, “If You Asked Me To”, “Right Kinda Lover”, “On My Own”, “Somebody Loves You”, “If Only You Knew”, a beautiful rendition to gospel smash “Something About The Name Jesus”, “You Are My Friend”, and all-time fan favorite “Lady Marmalade”, the seventy-nine year young powerhouse looked and sounded as fabulous as ever with her phenomenal ensemble in tow.
Ms. LaBelle was given her well deserved flowers figuratively and physically by nearly 4,000 of her devoted fans reciprocating the same love she bestowed to us all. It was truly an honor bearing witness to a beauty divine and triumphant. Crowned the Godmother of Soul, Ms. Patti LaBelle without a doubt still reigns supreme. Visit: www.pattilabelle.com for more information on tour dates and times.
