Fort Lauderdale Magazine: What an honor to interview such an amazing, classy, yet down-to-earth icon and THE legendary godmother of soul. When did you discover your big voice and love for singing?
Patti LaBelle: I can’t remember … maybe about 7 or 8 years young.
FLMag: It seems like that’s when it begins for musicians. That’s when they start playing as well. How did it all begin with Patti and the Blue Belles?
PL: Well, it started in Philadelphia with my old manager, Bernard Montague, who managed a group of girls from Trenton, New Jersey. It was Cindy Birdsong, Sarah Dash, Nona Hendryx and [me] (from Philadelphia). We all got together and started the group — Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles.
FLMag: Good place to grow up. Which year was “Lady Marmalade” released, and how did you know it would be such a huge hit?
PL: Well, in 1974, we were [going] to Allen Toussaint’s in New Orleans to record our album. On the way, Bob Crewe called Vicki Wickham, our manager at the time, and said, “Would you girls drop by? I have a hit for you guys [to listen to] before you get to Allen’s.” So we went to his house before we arrived at the airport and listened to “Lady Marmalade” — and as soon as we heard it, we knew it was a hit.
FLMag: You had a “New Attitude” when you went solo. Did that song help to launch your solo career?
PL: I know it did. Eddie Murphy wanted to do two songs in the movie Beverly Hills Cop — “Stir It Up” and “New Attitude.” When the movie came out, “New Attitude” was well-loved by most people.
FLMag: A timeless duet single is “On My Own” with Michael McDonald. Your voice is powerful and beautiful in it. Are you still friends with him?
PL: Actually, we’re doing a show together next month. We are performing on a cruise leaving from Miami and stopping in the Bahamas. It will be the first time I’ve seen him in about seven years.
FLMag: Your voices blend so beautifully in that song — I listen to it every day! Wasn’t that written by Burt Bacharach and his then-wife, Carole Bayer Sager?
PL: Yes, it was written by them.
FLMag: You had successes as an actress with your role in A Soldier’s Story and TV shows, just hosted your own TV show, took part in Dancing with the Stars at age 70. Your career has spanned over seven decades, and you’ve sold over 50 million records worldwide. That’s truly amazing. You were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Black Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame and the Apollo Theater Hall of Fame. You even made it onto the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine and were included in their 100 Greatest Singers of All Time list. You’ve come a long way, and you have the ability to reinvent yourself — you never stop.
PL: Yes, that’s all very nice. I can’t afford to stop. It would hurt my heart to stop. I will be 80 in May, and 80 to me is like 40 [laughs] so it’s all good.
FLMag: It would hurt my heart if you stopped. So let’s get into another passion of yours: cooking! Not many people pursue this, especially entertainers. How did all this come about, and where can we find out more about it?
PL: It all started with my mother and father cooking all the time, and my being in the kitchen from when I was 5 or 6 and watching them cook. Then I would go into the garage and make my own ketchup, pepper sauces and hot sauces. I would come into the kitchen and watch them prepare the real dinner, and they would use the homemade sauce items I made and eat them with their dinner. I was always interested in cooking. Always.
FLMag: You’re also truly blessed with a fantastic voice, still actively performing and have the ability to transcend time. Do you still have musical goals you haven’t met that you’d like to accomplish?
PL: Yes, the new album I’m working on that’s not done yet. But it’s been about 15 or 30 years since I’ve had an R&B album out. I’m working on new music that will be released this year.
FLMag: I look forward to listening to that and purchasing it. We actually have a lot in common — I too cannot swim!
PL: No, I can’t swim, I can’t smoke and I can’t drive [laughs]. I’m petrified of the water.
FLMag: I cannot live without my music, and you’re one of my favorites. I see you have a new red wine coming out. Can you tell me more about that?
PL: Well, it’s all under my Good Life brand, which includes my pies, frozen foods and the breakfast items. My price points are phenomenal. [Two] of my favorite wines [are] Caymus wine and Opus One red wines. My wine tastes like Caymus. My Caymus is a red blend; there’s also a red blend cabernet, a chardonnay, a rosé and a blue wine. They’re very good.
FLMag: Thank you so very much for your time. I’m looking forward to a night of singing!
WHAT: Patti LaBelle
WHEN: April 13, 8pm
WHERE: Pompano Beach Amphitheater
TICKETS: pompanobeacharts.org
