Preloading

Patti LaBelle on Taking Risks: "Don't Punk Out"

Season 5 Episode 505
Aired on 11/22/2015 | CC tv-14
In the '70s, Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash took the music world by storm as Labelle, a girl group best known for their space-age style and disco anthem, "Lady Marmalade." At the time, Patti says she wasn't afraid to take changes. "One day I thought a crazy thing—is it possible the three of us could play the Metropolitan Opera House?" she recalls.

Patti contacted the Metropolitan Opera House's promoter asked him what he thought of the idea. "I told Sarah and Nona, at the time, he could say yes or no...and he said a quick yes," she says. "Why not have three black women at the Metropolitan Opera House with their crazy, beautiful costumes singing their faces off? So we did it."

Although it's been four decades, Patti still remembers the night well. "Cher was there, Cycle Sluts, Debbie Allen was there. There were people with their behinds hanging out of their silver costumes, and it was fun," she says. "It was just a great night, a great time in our lives."

In the above video, watch as Patti shares what she learned about taking chances, asking tough questions and getting out of her own way.

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