The LaBelle Story: Soul, Breakups, and Lady Marmalade
Formed in Philadelphia in 1962 under the name The Bluebelles, Patti LaBelle and her bandmates Cindy Birdsong, Nona Hendryx, and Sarah Dash quickly built a reputation as a powerful live act.
Early hit tunes included I Sold My Heart to the Junkman, Down the Aisle (The Wedding Song), You’ll Never Walk Alone (Liverpool’s anthem), and Over the Rainbow.
In 1967, Cindy Birdsong left the group to join The Supremes—LaBelle had been touring with them at the time—which caused tension and a rift between the remaining members.
By 1971, the group had rebranded as LaBelle and released their self-titled debut under the new name. It featured notable covers of Wild Horses (The Rolling Stones) and You’ve Got a Friend (Carole King).
That same year, the group also appeared as backing singers for Laura Nyro’s Gonna Take a Miracle, performing on tracks such as Jimmy Mack.
Their second album, Moonshadow (1972), included the Cat Stevens title track as well as Won’t Get Fooled Again by The Who.
On their third release, Pressure Cookin’, they covered The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (Gil Scott-Heron) and introduced (Can I Speak to You Before You Go to) Hollywood, a track addressing how they felt about Cindy leaving them for Diana Ross.
Pressure Cookin’ was produced by Vicky Wickham along with a “friend”—that friend being none other than Stevie Wonder. He also contributed the track Open Up Your Heart, featured on the album.
Working with Stevie must have sparked new inspiration. Their next album, Nightbirds, featured LaBelle’s signature tune, Lady Marmalade.
Selling one million copies in the U.S. alone, Lady Marmalade has remained a staple in the working band’s repertoire for five decades. Covered by Sabrina, All Saints, and most famously by Christina Aguilera for Moulin Rouge, it became the definitive LaBelle tune.
LaBelle Tunes | Related Pages
Jimmy Mack | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Jimmy Mack by Martha and The Vandellas using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, a backing track, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| Ebm | Gbmaj7 | Dbmaj7 | Gb |
Jimmy Mack, Jimmy. Oh, Jimmy Mack, when are you comin’ back…
Start learning with the full lesson series: Jimmy Mack – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Lady Marmalade | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Lady Marmalade by LaBelle using chords, lyrics, chord analysis a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Gm7 | C9 |
He met Marmalade down in old New Orleans…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Lady Marmalade (LaBelle) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Over The Rainbow | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Over The Rainbow by Eva Cassidy using chords, lyrics, TAB, chord analysis, a chord chart, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| Gsus2 /F# | Em /D | Bm7b13 | G7 Amadd4 /B |
Somewhere over the rainbow…
Start learning with the full lesson series: Over The Rainbow – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
You’ve Got A Friend | Chords + TAB
Learn how to play You’ve Got A Friend by Carol King using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recordings.
| Em | B7/F# | Em B7/F# | G B7/F# Em Em/D |
When you’re down and troubled and you need some lovin’ care…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: You’ve Got A Friend (Carole King) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Labelle on the web
