Patti LaBelle

 Patti LaBelle, an American actress and singer and author. She was a prolific songwriter with a distinctive blend of soul, pop, and soft rock. Her music has been influential for over 50 years. Often referred to as the "Godmother of Soul" and the "Queen of Rock and Soul", LaBelle rose to prominence as the lead vocalist of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles. Following the dissolution of the Bluebelles, LaBelle began her own solo career. It was a popular one. LaBelle has performed with a number of famous musicians, including Michael McDonald, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey and Aretha Franklin. Her albums have sold more than 50 million in the world. She was born Patricia Louise Holte Edwards to a musical family from Philadelphia in 1944. Her father was a railway worker as well as a lounge singer. While she was shy, LaBelle showed incredible singing talent and joined the choir of the church when she was ten. At the age of twelve when her parents separated. She was raised on gospel jazz, rhythm and jazz, blues and doo-wop .