Patti LaBelle (born Patricia Louise Holt on May 24, 1944 in West-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a popular American R&B, soul singer and songwriter. She fronted two groups, Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles and Labelle. She is best known for her strong vocals, passionate stage performances, wide range and distinctive high-octave vocal belting. Her biography, Don't Block the Blessings, remained at the top of the New York Times best-seller list for several weeks. She is also a bestselling cookbook author. Life and career Early years Born the fourth of five children including three sisters and a brother, Patti began singing at the age of 14 in church. A shy girl, Patti had a voice of a torch diva. A school teacher advised her to start a singing group. As Patsy Holte, LaBelle formed a four-member girl group called the Ordettes in 1958. In 1959, when two of the original Ordettes left, H

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