Throwback: Happy 82nd Birthday, Patti LaBelle!

Welp, we’ve made it to May y’all. This year has been yet another infuriating, soul-crushingly brutal slog. I’m furious and exhausted. And if you have a conscience and a soul, you feel the same. There isn’t an easy way out of this hell. 

But there’s music, art, small pleasures, and every day joys. We’ll cling to that as much as possible in between fighting for the rights and futures for our loved ones — and ourselves.

Of course, with this site, it’s important to show respect to our legends and our contemporary artists. And to that end, let’s get to it: 

• The legendary godfather of soul, the Soul Brother #1, James Brown was born 93 years ago on May 3
• Interpol’s Paul Banks celebrated his 48th birthday on May 3
• The legendary Frankie Valli celebrated his 92nd birthday on May 3
• The late and supremely great soul artist Sharon Jones was born on this day 70 years ago today
• Nick Ashford, one-half of beloved husband-and-wife songwriting, production and artist duo Ashford & Simpson was born 85 years ago on May 4
• The legendary jazz bassist Ron Carter celebrated his 89th birthday on May 4
• Motley Crüe co-founder Mick Mars celebrated his 75th birthday on May 4
• Echo & The Bunnymen‘s Ian McCullouch celebrated his 67th birthday on May 5
• Tammy Wynette, one of the most beloved singer/songwriters in country was born 84 years ago on May 5
• Van Halen co-founder, drummer — and most important Eddie’s brother, Alex Van Halen celebrated his 73rd birthday on May 8
• The Talking Heads’ and Tom Tom Club’s Chris Frantz celebrated his 75th birthday on May 8
• Whether as a solo artist or as a member of Earth, Wind and Fire, the legendary Philip Bailey has been a part of some of the most inedible, joyous and important songs ever recorded. Bailey celebrated his 75th — yes, y’all 75th! — birthday on May 8
• Depeche Mode frontman Dave Gahan celebrated his 64th birthday on May 9
• U2‘s Bono celebrated his 66th birthday on May 10
• Sly Dunbar, one half of the legendary rhythm section and production duo Sly & Robbie was born 74 years ago on May 10
• Greg Dulli, one of the most criminally underrated rock singer/songwriters celebrated his 61st birthday on May 11
• Eric Burdon celebrated his 85th birthday on May 11
• Bad Religion co-founder and guitarist, and Epitaph Records founder Brett Gurewitz celebrated his 64th birthday on May 12
• Steve Winwood celebrated his 78th birthday on May 12
• Burt Bacharach was born 98 years ago on May 12
• The legendary and toweringly influential Stevie Wonder celebrated his 76th birthday on May 13
• EPMD’s PMD celebrated his 57th birthday on May 13
• Cream‘s Jack Bruce, one of the greatest bassists in rock history was born 83 years ago on May 14
• Talking Heads frontman David Byrne celebrated his 74th birthday on May 14
• Hip hop pioneer Melle Mel celebrated his 65th birthday on May 15
• Nirvana‘s Krist Novoselic celebrates his 61st birthday today
• The iconic and pioneering Janet Jackson celebrates her 60th birthday today
• Beloved shoegaze legend and the co-founder of Slowdive, Mojave 3 and The Soft Cavalry, Rachel Goswell celebrated her 55th birthday on May 16
• Nine Inch Nails creative mastermind Trent Reznor celebrated his 61st birthday on May 17
• Taj Mahal, one of the greatest living bluesman and multi-instrumentalist around, celebrated his 84th birthday on May 17
• Rob Base celebrated his 59th birthday on May 18
• DEVO co-founder, frontman and primary songwriter Mark Mothersbaugh celebrated his 76th birthday on May 18
• The Who‘s Pete Townshend celebrated his 81st birthday on May 19
• The Ramones‘ Joey Ramone was born 75 years ago on May 19
• The incomparable and legendary Grace Jones celebrated her 78th birthday on May 19
• Busta Rhymes, one of the most inventive, energetic, charismatic and imitable emcees ever celebrated his 54th birthday on May 20
• The iconic Cher celebrated her 80th birthday on May 20
• Joe Cocker was born 82 years ago on May 20
• Mobb Deep‘s Havoc celebrated his 52nd birthday on May 21
• Notorious B.I.G. was born 54 years ago onMay 21
• The legendary Ronald Isley celebrated his 85th birthday on May 21
• Heavy D was born 59 years ago today

Patti LaBelle, arguably one of the most unique, powerhouse vocalists to ever do it, celebrates her 82nd birthday today. 

LaBelle started her career in the early 60s as the frontwoman of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles. Following the group’s name chance to Labelle in the 70s, they released their #1 hit “Lady Marmalade,” a song that has since been covered a number of times, including famously a version featuring Christina Aguilera, Mya, Pink and Lil’ Kim, which was recorded for the Moulin Rouge soundtrack — and also was a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks. 

After Labelle split up in 1976, LaBelle started a wildly successful and influential solo career with her critically applauded debut album. Since then she’s received 13 Grammy nominations with two Grammy Award wins — in 1994 for Best R&B Vocal Performance for Burnin’ and in 1999 for Best Traditional R&B Performance for Live! One Night Only. (Only two Grammys? What the fuck is wrong with these people? Jesus Christ, y’all! How is that possible? Seriously, how?)

Over a more than seven decade career, LaBelle has sold over 50 million records globally. She’s been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame, and the Apollo Theater Hall of Fame. Her influence on pop and R&B is towering — and it shouldn’t be surprising.

Happy birthday, Ms. LaBelle! May there be many, many, many more!

I photographed Ms. LaBelle once at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival at Prospect Park. It remains a major highlight of my professional life:

Live Concert Photography: BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival at the Prospect Park Bandshell 6/4/19: Patti LaBelle

___

The Joy of Violent Movement is a completely independent and completely D.I.Y. media outlet. Over the course of this site’s 15+ year history, I’ve used my fiercely independent stance to cover music with an eclectic and global perspective that a lot of other publications just don’t have — and will likely never have. 

To that end, I could use your support to continue to keep bringing you my unique global perspective on music. There are a number of ways that you can support this work. 

I’ve been told that some people would prefer to make a one-time donation because it’s easy and less of an obligation. So, if you’re able to make a one-time donation, there’s a donation box below.

Anything you can give is very much appreciated. It can and does make a real difference, y’all. 

You can follow me on the following social platforms:

X/Twitter: @yankee32879 and @joyofviolent 

Instagram: @william_ruben_helms

Threads: @william_ruben_helms

Bluesky: @williamrubenhelms.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement

As always, if there are posts that you dig, share them with your friends. The more eyeballs on my work, the better.