Patti LaBelle on staying ‘spontaneous’ and living her best life at age 82

In her 1991 TV special “Going Home to Gospel,” Patti LaBelle’s soprano voice fills the sanctuary of Quinn Chapel AME Church as she celebrates a long list of Chicago legends.

She performs a rousing rendition of “Who’s on the Lord’s Side” with an exuberant Ricky Dillard, who directs his New Generation Chorale. She trades lines with renowned songstress Albertina Walker during “I Can Go to God in Prayer.” And she nearly tears up while reciting Gwendolyn Brooks’ poem “Infirm.”

“So much history is here where I’m standing,” LaBelle says in the special of the now-182-year-old South Side venue — the oldest Black church in Chicago and a stop on the Underground Railroad.

That gospel tribute is still a core performance memory for LaBelle 25 years later, as she returns to the area to play two shows at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana on Friday, and Genesee Theatre in Waukegan on Saturday. Her visits to the Windy City have included performances at the United Center and Arie Crown Theater, book signings at the Unabridged Bookstore, and an appearance at Marshall Field’s Glamorama fashion event.

But filming the WTTW gospel special in Chicago, considered the birthplace of modern gospel, was especially meaningful for LaBelle, now 82. Though she is known for her R&B catalog, her roots are in the church.

“It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life doing that gospel show,” she said. “I wish I could do it again.”

Sun-Times file

Paying homage to Chicago’s gospel greats

LaBelle doesn’t quite remember how she got involved with the program, but she told the Chicago Tribune at the time that she wanted to use her popularity to help introduce new audiences to gospel.

Along with Dillard and Walker, the lineup featured other local performers and speakers, such as Calvin Bridges, Rev. Clay Evans, the Sue Conway Victory Singers, the Chicago Praise Chorale, 14-year-old Deleon Richards and the Barrett Sisters, whom LaBelle praised for their “wonderful harmonies.” The Mighty Clouds of Joy and Edwin Hawkins were also on the bill.

“So many singers come from Chicago,” LaBelle said. “There’s just so much talent.”

During the broadcast, LaBelle also delivered history lessons about gospel pioneers and Chicago natives Thomas A. Dorsey and Mahalia Jackson. She impressed with multiple outfit changes and her vocal chops. She closed the show with her dynamic version of “He Cares for You.”

“I just love that song, and I felt so joyful doing that performance,” she said.

Erica Thompson/Sun-Times

Growing up as a shy kid in Philadelphia, LaBelle — born Patricia Louise Holte — initially hid her talent, taking a broom as her mic and singing in the closet. But that changed once she was encouraged by Mrs. Chapman, the choir director at Beulah Baptist, to perform her first solo during “God Specializes.”

LaBelle said it was a key moment that led to her illustrious, six-decade music career, defined by beloved hits such as “Lady Marmalade,” “New Attitude,” “On My Own” and “If Only You Knew.”

“I love music that makes me move, and gospel music surely does something for my spirit,” said LaBelle, who released her first gospel album, “The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle,” in 2006.

“I'm happy to be a part of the gospel community. Although I’m an R&B singer, gospel is my life.”

Playing classic Chicago venues and getting a boost from Oprah

Looking ahead, LaBelle said she is almost finished with her first R&B album in more than 20 years; her last solo record, “Bel Hommage,” was a jazz project.

“Just expect age-appropriate music from me,” she said. “I’m 82. I can’t do a Lil’ Kim song. I can’t do a Cardi B song.”

That means tunes like her classic ballad, “You Are My Friend,” plus some covers, she said. Though she may change a lyric or two to make the message relevant to her life.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

LaBelle also likes to switch things up on tour, throwing unexpected choices into the set list. She has been known to open a show with Tupac Shakur’s “California Love,” or play a song after an audience member calls out a request.

“I'm a very spontaneous, Gemini, crazy girl, and I never do everything that's planned,” she said. “I like songs some people expect me not to like.”

LaBelle has played other major events in town, from the Democratic National Convention to the Ravinia Festival. When asked to list her favorite things about Chicago, she mentioned the food (“I love the pizza”) and former President Barack Obama (“He’s such a brilliant man”).

But she was especially complimentary about her many visits to “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

“To be asked to do Oprah’s show was bigger than going to the White House,” she said. “She was giving me a pass to be presented to so many people.”

Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times file

Besides her music, LaBelle is focused on her line of food products, Patti’s Good Life, offered in Walmart and other chains. She said she has loved to cook since she was a little girl observing her parents and making her own hot sauces in the garage. 

And she continues to pick up new audiences as a guest adviser on this season of “The Voice,” and through internet clips. Videos of her performing “This Christmas” at the 1996 National Christmas Tree Lighting and making music with Dolly Parton, using their acrylic nails, have gone viral. A review of her sweet potato pie has also garnered millions of views.

But the soulful diva has nothing left to prove.

“There’s not much left for me to do,” she said. “I'm doing everything that I want to do now by singing and doing projects with my food and enjoying it.”