Beyond 'Lady Marmalade': The Legacy of Labelle's Nightbirds

Labelle is the ultimate dream group! Their groundbreaking fusion of soul, funk, rock, and glam emerges from deep roots in traditional R&B as they initially embrace a polished, Motown-influenced sound but later transition into their bolder, edgier sound that includes cosmic themes and experimental arrangements. This evolution is marvelously marked by daring wardrobe choices, creative production, and a willingness to push genre limits.

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While the group starts as a quartet, they soon evolve into a trio with Patti LaBelle leading with her powerful voice, Nona Hendryx penning most of their lyrics, and Sarah Dash bringing harmony to life with her stunning soprano voice. Together, their sound and energy defy categorization. 

 

There is a lot happening in their journey before 1974. They tour Europe, particularly the UK, where they perform with a then-unknown pub band called Bluesology, whose pianist is a teenager called Reg Dwight—later known as Elton John! They collaborate with Stevie Wonder, who writes the fabulous 'Open Up Your Heart' specifically for them; they cover Gil Scott-Heron’s iconic 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised' and even open for The Who on their U.S. tour!

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But the year 1974 is when the epic Nightbirds is released!

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While Labelle's talent was undeniably evident, much of the credit for the launch of their incredible album Nightbirds goes to two key figures—Vicki Wickham and Allen Toussaint. I would also humbly include Larry LeGaspi in this list of visionaries. 

Here is the story:

Vicki Wickham, the British television producer turned manager and producer, is instrumental in rebranding the group. She shortens their name to “Labelle,” guiding them toward a modern R&B and rock blend. Her vision pushes the trio into the bold realm of glam rock, where they embrace outrageous, space-themed costumes embellished with feathers, silver, and glitter. 🦩 🦚 ✨ 🌟  (big love ❤️) This bold aesthetic isn’t just about visual presentation; it mirrors their music’s futuristic themes, theatricality, and their adventurous spirit, creating an identity that sets them apart from their peers.

And who turns this vision of “cosmic visual identity” into life? 🚀  The visionary designer Larry LeGaspi, along with Richard Erker of Moonstone! LeGaspi’s use of the innovative ‘trapunto’ technique gives their costumes the sculptural quality:

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Though he was enrolled at FIT for a few semesters, for the most part Legaspi was self-taught and naturally highly skilled. When making the costumes the likes of Kiss and Labelle wore, the designer employed a unique method called ‘trapunto’, which saw him painstakingly pull individual lengths of cord through fabric. Resulting in a quilted effect, this meant the sculptural elements of the looks – the shoulder pads and collars for example – stood up entirely on their own without support. 

“Patti (LaBelle) told me she didn’t think, as a group of soul singers, that they would have been invited to play the Metropolitan Opera House had they not worked with Larry,” remarkes Val LeGaspi in her interview at Dazed (dated Jan 30, 2019).

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And then, of course, comes Allen Toussaint—the final piece of the puzzle, the famous New Orleans producer. In 1974, Labelle signs with Epic Records, who sends them to New Orleans to work with Toussaint. His close relationship with the legendary funk band The Meters enables him to create a sound for Labelle that's unmatched. ‘Lady Marmalade’ has The Meters’ rhythms and Toussaint’s horn arrangements, giving the song its irresistible energy. Similarly, ‘What Can I Do for You?’ demonstrates Toussaint’s ability to layer rich melodies over a driving funk base while also highlighting Labelle’s vocal dynamism.

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Nightbirds, released in 1974, becomes Labelle’s most successful work to date and ever after, blending soul, funk, glam, and rock into a stunning art piece. The standout single, ‘Lady Marmalade,’ written by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan, becomes an instant sensation. It shoots to number one on both the pop and R&B charts in early 1975, earning Labelle their first gold album. Often referred to as one of the first mainstream disco hits, ‘Lady Marmalade’ is said to help define the proto-disco movement, even though the year was still 1974.

Beyond its chart success, Nightbirds is noted to carry immense cultural significance. The album not only introduces Labelle to mainstream audiences but also influences a wave of artists and genres. Their bold fusion of funk, soul, rock, and proto-disco is said to have inspired legends like Prince and Chaka Khan to embrace genre-blending and theatrical performances. In October 1974, Labelle makes history as the first rock and roll vocal group to perform at the prestigious Metropolitan Opera House. The album’s success and the trio’s dynamic show land them on the cover of Rolling Stone in 1975, further strengthening their influence on music and culture.

Even though ‘Lady Marmalade’ frequently steals the show, Nightbirds has a wealth of funk, soul, and creativity. Songs like ‘Somebody Somewhere’ and ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’ present Labelle’s funky edge, driven by The Meters’ distinctive grooves and Toussaint’s masterful production. My personal favorite is 'Space Children,' a track where Labelle brilliantly blends cosmic themes with deeply rooted funk, perfectly summarizing the futuristic and adventurous spirit of Nightbirds.

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Gülben - 01/2025

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📖 David Nathan’s 1974 interview @ SoulMusic.com

📖 Ann Powers for Los Angeles Times

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