Patti LaBelle's Greatest Performances

The incomparable Patti LaBelle has been captivating the music industry since she first hit the scene more than 50 years ago. Since that moment, she has mesmerized us with her incredible range, soul and passion, while blazing a trail for powerful female contemporary singers like Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera. So as Patti prepares to celebrate her 70th birthday, we figured there was no better tribute than taking a look back at some of this diva’s most incredible performances.

Patti LaBelle and Luther Vandross: If Only For One Night

If you didn’t know, now you know. Taking the stage at the Divas and Kings 2000 and Beyond concert, Patti LaBelle and the incredible Luther Vandross showed a new generation of fans why they epitomized a generation. Belting out “If Only For One Night,” LaBelle and Vandross’ vocals soared as Soul Train paid tribute to 30 years of great music.

Patti LaBelle: “If Only You Knew”

“If Only You Knew” is one of LaBelle’s most well-known and popular songs, and in turn, is one of her most performed. So zero-ing on our favorite performance was quite the task. But ultimately we couldn’t help but go with this performance on Soul Train back in the day. Decked out in full diva moda (big hair — check, gaudy garb — check), LaBelle’s vocals cut like a knife, capturing the soul and raw power behind her emotional ballad.

Patti LaBelle: “You’ll Never Walk Alone”

Taking the stage at the Apollo Theater for the famed venue’s “reopening” back in 1984, LaBelle delivered a moving gospel tribute, complete with an accompanying choir. While in hindsight, we’re sure LaBelle probably regrets that, ahem, interesting headpiece, with a voice as passionate and goosebump-inducing as hers, she could have worn a potato sack and we would have been just as amazed.

Patti LaBelle: Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Performing during “A Celebration of Life: A Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.” back in 1984, LaBelle absolutely owned the classic tune “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” While always a powerful song in its own right, LaBelle took it to whole other level. Infusing soul, gospel and blues into her four-minute performance, LaBelle transformed the song into a moving tribute to one of this nation’s greatest fallen heroes and once again showed her prowess as a live performer.

Patti LaBelle: “Purple Rain”

Has LaBelle had better live performances? Sure she has. But can you really blame us for taking notice of one of the greatest voices in all of music tackling a classic anthem like “Purple Rain.” We didn’t think so. Singing live at the 2010 BET Awards, LaBelle took Prince’s rock-infused ballad and gave it her own brand of gospel and soul. When she “oooos” in the break, we can’t help but shiver with musical delight.

Patti LaBelle and Daryl Coley: Will You Be There

Singing their hearts out in tribute to the Michael Jackson, LaBelle and Daryl Coley left it all on the stage when they delivered their rendition of “Will You Be There” at the NAACP Image Awards in 1993. Jackson received not only this incredible performance, but also Entertainer of the Year honors.

Patti LaBelle: “You Are My Friend”

In 2000, LaBelle once again dazzled with a stunning performance of “You Are My Friend” for the Essence Awards. And can we say how much we love the dichotomy that a performer as understated and unassuming as Bill Cosby, with his inherent charm, introduced such a musical diva to the stage.

Patti LaBelle: Ain’t No Way

Patti LaBelle tackling Aretha Franklin. Is there really any more that needs to be said about just how tremendous this rendition of “Ain’t No Way” was?

Patti LaBelle: I Have Nothing

Singing yet another musical tribute, this time to Cissy and Whitney Houston, LaBelle brought the house to its knees with her take on “I Have Nothing.” With one solitary note at the end of the song, LaBelle turned a solid, but somewhat unremarkable performance into a real tour de force showstopper.

Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald: On My Own

Do they still got it? They certainly do. LaBelle and Michael McDonald showed fans that they could recapture the magic of their 1986 duet “On My Own” more than 14 years later. Performing at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, the pair captured the same romance and passion that they put forth when the single was first released.

Patti LaBelle: New Attitude

While she is known best for her soaring ballads, we couldn’t overlook LaBelle’s ability to command a stage when belting out more up-tempo tunes. And she certainly made the VH1 Divas’ stage her own when she sang “New Attitude” in 2004 to close out the show. Get ’em girl!

LaBelle: Time If Live

We’re going way back on this one, when Miss Patti LaBelle shared the stage with groupmates Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx in 1970. But even relatively early in her career, LaBelle had undeniable star power and unbridled confidence that took no prisoners as it sliced through the air and cut straight to the heart of a generation of fans.

Patti Labelle: Imagine

Performing at Live Aid, Labelle took John Lennon’s staple “Imagine” to a whole new level. Singing with such passion and conviction, Labelle truly made the song her own.

Patti Labelle, Jill Scott, Tessanne Chin, Melissa Etheridge and more: Proud Mary

Some artists seem to get better with age, and such is the case with Patti Labelle. The songstress took the stage with performers as diverse as Jill Scott and Melissa Etheridge to belt out their rendition of “Proud Mary” at the White House’s Women of Soul performance.