Friday, June 15, 2012

40 Year Itch : You Can't Pin A Label On LaBelle




[Purchase]

                           5 Interesting facts about LaBelle 
who released their second album Moon Shadow June 10, 1972.

1. LaBelle ( made up of Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash who combined rock, gospel and soul) went on tour as an opening act for The Who in 1970. They would cover "Won't Get Fooled Again" on their second album. Their 1971 debut album was produced by Who producer Kit Lambert.

2. LaBelle was too busy touring ( and helping Laura Nyro record her album Gonna Take A Miracle) to record Gamble and Huff's "If You Don't Know Me By Now" so the song went to Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes who hit #1 on the R and B charts and #3 on the Pop charts.

3. LaBelle recorded a 9 minute version of Cat Stevens's "Moonshadow" as the title track for their second album. Nona Hendryx wrote two thirds of the songs on the album.




4. Inspired by David Bowie, LaBelle went glam in 1973/1974 when they also opened for The Rolling Stones on their US Tour. Their third album contained a medley that included Thunderclap Newman's "Something In The Air" segueing into Gil Scott Heron's "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised".



5. LaBelle finally hit it big with the 1975 chart topper "Lady Marmalade" ( which featured the risque line "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi (ce soir)?", which means: "Do you want to sleep with me (tonight)?". The instrumental backing is provided by The Meters.

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