Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles had a minor 20 R&B/pop hit with "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman" in 1962 and, after signing with Atlantic, continued to score hits in a variety of sounds, ranging from girl group pop and '70s funk ("Lady Marmalade") to disco, lush pop, and R&B ballads while going through a visually stimulating metamorphosis from the Bluebelles to Labelle. Soul diva Patti LaBelle -- the group's longtime leader -- enjoyed one of the most successful solo careers in contemporary R&B.
LaBelle grew up singing in a local Baptist choir and teamed up with friend Cindy Bi...