Patti Labelle

1964: Patti Labelle And The Blue Belles

I am always interested in the styling choices. Was boating really hot in 1964? Sailor suits and a life preserver seem so... specific.

'Thank Your Lucky Stars' TV Programme, 1966

Editorial use only. No book publishing Mandatory Credit: Photo by Fremantle Media/Shutterstock (3004296fv) Patti LaBelle and The Bluebelles 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' TV Programme, 1961 - 1966

They released a version of "Over The Rainbow" which they performed on this show. I love that even then, people were trying to build thematic TV sets.

1971-ish?: Sarah Dash, Nona Hendryx, and Patti Labelle

UNSPECIFIED - JANUARY 01: Photo of Nona HENDRYX and Patti LABELLE and LABELLE and Sarah DASH; Posed studio group portrait L-R Sarah Dash, Nona Hendryx and Patti Labelle, (Photo by RB/Redferns)

AND THEN. One of their members, Cindy Birdsong, left to join The Supremes, and their label dropped them because it was moving in a different direction, Wiki says a new manager persuaded them to move to London, rebrand as LABELLE, and go through what I think we can all agree is a BIG image makeover. I had NO IDEA about any of this, but it all looks incredibly, festively Elton -- except that I don't THINK Elton himself had gone I this direction yet. (Interestingly, though, his first band occasionally played backing for The Bluebelles in the 60s.) Labelle was Elton before Elton was Elton.

UNSPECIFIED - JANUARY 01: Photo of Patti LABELLE; & Belle Stars (Photo by Ian Dickson/Redferns)

Look at Nona Hendryx, on the right. LOTS of studded erogenous zones here.

1974

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ian Dickson/Shutterstock (750578id) Labelle - Nona Hendryx, Sarah Dash and Patti Labelle Various

I don't know if this was the actual Met performance, but apparently to complement their spacesuit outfits, they dubbed that night "Wear Something Silver." This is also the era of Lady Marmalade. Where is the Grammy tribute to this era of Patti Labelle? I want to see Destiny's Child reunite in these costumes.

1985, with Boy George

Editorial use only. Consent for book publication must be agreed with Rex by Shutterstock before use. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Andre Csillag/Shutterstock (875552h) Patti LaBelle and Boy George backtage The Apollo Theater 50th Aniversary, Harlem, New York, America - 1985

These two are GOSSIPING, right?

1985: Live Aid, Philadelphia

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Amy Sancetta/AP/Shutterstock (6561050d) Patti Labelle Live Aid American R&B singer Patti Labelle sings with emotion during the Live Aid famine relief concert at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia Pa., July 13,1985 LIVE AID PHILADELPHIA 1985, PHILADELPHIA, USA

This is such a great stage costume. Everyone at the massive Philly Live Aid would be able to see her, and it would deliver for the folks watching at home.

1986

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Steve Wood/Shutterstock (129147a) PATTI LABELLE PATTI LABELLE PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE MAYFAIR HOTEL, LONDON, BRITAIN - 1986

I love her.

1989: Elton, Patti, Phil Collins, Billy Idol

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Alan Davidson/Shutterstock (9789382k) Elton John Patti Labelle Billy Idol Phil Collins and Billy Idol Charity Concert of Tommy at the Royal Albert Hall London, UK - 30 Oct 1989

Her dress here is EXCEPTIONAL. This is listed as "Charity Concert of Tommy," which I assume explains... Phil Collins's outfit, at least? Billy Idol just looks like regular Billy Idol.

Patti LaBelle, New York, USA

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mario Suriani/AP/Shutterstock (6569833a) Patti LaBelle Singer Patti LaBelle receives the Lifetime Achievement award at the Congress of Racial Equality's sixth annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. tribute dinner in New York, . CORE is the only civil rights group in this country to have consultative status at the United Nations Patti LaBelle, New York, USA

Here she is receiving "the Lifetime Achievement award at the Congress of Racial Equality's sixth annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. tribute dinner." I love that she chose a blouse with a heart shape on it.

1990 HIV/AIDS Poster

Public health poster regarding Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)/Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), 1990. Image courtesy National Library of Medicine. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images).

Patti Labelle has also been a longtime activist in the HIV/AIDS awareness space. Lending her face to this campaign in 1990 was a big deal.

1990: with Terence Trent D'Arby

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Alan Davidson/Shutterstock (7527405g) Nelson Mandela: an International Tribute For A Free South Africa Concert at Wembley Stadium Terence Trent D'arby with Patti Labelle Nelson Mandela Concert - 16 Apr 1990

Terence! He goes by Sananda Maitreya now, but as Terence, he performed "Wishing Well," which has to be one of the most whistlable pop songs ever.

1993

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Bei/Shutterstock (5146272ah) Patti LaBelle Archive Photos Patti LaBelle . Photo by: A. Berliner®Berliner Studio/BEImages

A well-earned star, and a hat the size of the occasion.

1993

Her jewelry is no joke. This was for a performance at a Save the Oceans gala, and there IS something crustacean about that neckline, somehow.

1994, with Arsenio

Mandatory Credit: Photo by American Photo Syndicate Aa/Shutterstock (322082e) Arsenio Hall with Patti LaBelle ARSENIO HALL circa 1994

They BOTH look snazzy.

1998

We've got a LOT of ball gowns coming. I rather like this one.

2000

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock (5123217d) Patti LaBelle Patti La Belle Listening Party Patti LaBelle Listening Party at the Genny Boutique on Madison Avenue in New York City on October 20, 2000. Manhattan, New York Photo ® Matt Baron/BEImages

This is just a beautiful photo, but yes, I also want us all to coo over the necklace.

2000

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock (329488c) Patti LaBelle at G&P Foundation for Cancer Research honor Queen Noor of Jordan, Sir Paul McCartney and Mikhail Gorbachev at The Angel Ball. New York, America Carroll Alt at G&P Foundation for Cancer Research honor Queen Noor of Jordan, Sir Paul McCartney and Mikhail Gorbachev at The Angel Ball. New York, America

This was at a cancer research charity's gala honoring Queen Noor of Jordan, Paul McCartney, and Mikhail Gorbachev, a list of names that feels drawn from a hat. I love her coat.

2001

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock (346129b) Patti LaBelle Stars record charity single 'We Are Family' in aid of the New York Terrorist Attacks, America - 22 Sep 2001

Here, she's recording a charity single for 9/11 victims, and I applaud her for going ALL IN on this outfit and wearing something big and bright and in the color of love.

2002

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Robert Mecea/AP/Shutterstock (6449616a) LABELLE Singer Patti LaBelle performs during the Rainforest Foundation benefit concert at Carnegie Hall in New York PEOPLE LABELLE, NEW YORK, USA

I would love to have seen her live. (I suppose anything could still happen!) She really exudes joy on-stage.

2003

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Pat Sullivan/AP/Shutterstock (5994739c) LABELLE Patti LaBelle sings "Way Up There", a tribute to the space shuttle Columbia crew during opening ceremonies of the Houston Astros game against the Colorado Rockies, in Houston ROCKIES ASTROS, HOUSTON, USA

And who doesn't love an opening day anthem?!? But, please know that the informative caption didn't say what year this was, and I actually went back to the Shutterstock website to look it up, which... I am beginning to worry about my powers of observation.

2003

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dave Allocca/Starpix/Shutterstock (5626632a) PATTI LABELLE 34TH SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME AWARDS AT THE MARRIOT MARQUIS HOTEL, NEW YORK, AMERICA - 12 JUN 2003

That dress is phenomenal.

2003

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dave Allocca/Starpix/Shutterstock (5628492i) Patti Labelle LISTENING PARTY FOR NEW NEW ALBUM FROM WYCLEF JEAN 'THE PREACHER'S SON', HUDSON THEATRE, NEW YORK, AMERICA - 16 SEP 2003

We are also about to learn how much Patti loves this pose, and dramatic sleeves to go with it.

2003

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dave Allocca/Starpix/Shutterstock (5631313k) Patti LaBelle 14TH ANNUAL GLAMOUR WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS AT THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, NEW YORK, AMERICA - 10 NOV 2003

I love when someone who's been in the game for that long can still delight in this stuff. She NEVER seems jaded by any of it.

2004

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ron Edmonds/AP/Shutterstock (5971516b) LABELLE Singer Patti LaBelle performs near the end of the day?s session at the Democratic National Convention, in Boston DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION CELEBS, BOSTON, USA

HER DRESS HAS TINY RECORDS ON IT. THAT IS PERFECT.

2005

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock (560338q) Patti LaBelle 'THE ANGEL BALL' FUNDRAISER FOR THE G AND P FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH, NEW YORK, AMERICA - 14 NOV 2005

This is also madly glamorous, and the NECKLACE. Phew.

2006; Patti and John Legend

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock (579852m) Patti LaBelle and John Legend TIFFANY AND CO CELEBRATES THE LAUNCH OF FRANK GEHRY'S PREMIER COLLECTION, LOS ANGELES, AMERICA - 26 MAR 2006

I am not sure what that shoe is doing here, but at least it's interesting? I also appreciate John Legend for making this cameo, proving he has always been rather dapper.

2007

I want to go jewelry shopping with her.

2007

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Paul Buck/EPA/Shutterstock (7853868c) Us Singer Patti Labelle Poses in the Press Room at the Bet Awards in Los Angeles California Usa 26 June 2007 Usa Press Room Bet Awards - Jun 2007

ANOTHER great gold dress. I wish I had credits on any of them.

2007: Rihanna, Ciara, and Patti

Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock (706147j) Rihanna, Ciara and Patti LaBelle 2007 World Music Awards, Red Carpet Arrivals, Monte Carlo, Monaco - 04 Nov 2007

This photo being 14 years old really does start to make my joints ache.

2017

She's also done the Macy's Thankgiving Parade in sleek style.

2019

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Brent N Clarke/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (10153819bl) Patti LaBelle performs on stage during the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize tribute concert held at DAR Constitution Hall, in Washington 2019 Gershwin Prize Tribute Concert, Washington, USA - 13 Mar 2019

SO MUCH JOY.

2019

And that's the last shot I have of her: Patti, in a great black dress, working a scorching cape. I didn't see a Kennedy Center Honors photo with her, so maybe once that whole event returns to glory, she'll get one and deploy another major gown. We can all dream.