*A stretch of Broad Street in Philadelphia was renamed Patti LaBelle Way during a dedication ceremony held on July 2.
Hundreds of Patti LaBelle’s fans braved the heat for the unveiling. It is reported that some fans lined up at 4:30 a.m. to get a prime location for the 4 p.m. ceremony honoring the Philly native.
In a career that has spanned 50 years, LaBelle, known as the Godmother of Soul, has won two Grammy Awards, authored six books, acted on stage and screen, is a successful entrepreneur and a celebrated humanitarian.
Patti LaBelle Way is in good company. Located between Spruce and Locust streets in downtown Philadelphia, it sits next to Gamble and Huff Way – named after Philadelphia International Records founders and the architects of the Sound of Philadelphia – Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.
The street dedication was hosted by Patty Jackson of iHeartRadio’s 105.3 WDAS-FM and included Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, Michael DelBene, president and CEO, WaWa Welcome America Inc., and City Councilpersons Kenyatta Johnson, Blondell Reynolds Brown, Mark Squilla, and Derek S. Green.
“Recognizing our local legends is important as we honor Ms. Patti LaBelle and her contributions to music and arts,” said Councilman Kenyatta Johnson. “But we also do this to inspire our residents and future generations who look up at her name on a sign and realize anything they can dream of doing in their lives is possible.”
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Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, who marveled at LaBelle’s ability to stay fabulous in heat that felt like 100 degrees, called LaBelle the “ultimate renaissance woman of my generation.” “Show me who can wear five-inch heels and sing five octaves, all at the same time,” said Brown.
When LaBelle hit the stage, dressed in an Etro paisley print pantsuit with a pussy cat bowtie blouse and Christian Louboutin heels, her humble spirit warmed the heart of those in attendance.
“I never thought I would feel this way, this is the best I’ve felt since I gave birth to Zuri my Son,” said LaBelle. Zuri Edwards, who is also her manager, was in attendance with his wife and two daughters. He beamed with pride as his mother spoke.
LaBelle added that a lot of people told her she should have had a street named in her honor sooner. “No, I shouldn’t have,” she said. “I should have gotten it now. Now is my time to get it.”
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LaBelle thanked her fans and onlookers who crowded the intersection and treated them to an acapella rendition of her hit song, “Love, Need and Want You.”
As she made her way to the VIP reception, the R&B icon took time to take photos with fans and autographed whatever was handed to her.
The festivities didn’t end there. On the Fourth of July, LaBelle read excerpts of the Declaration of Independence at the Celebration of Freedom ceremony on the steps of Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Introduced by Dyana Williams of Radio One and accompanied by The Philly Pops Big Band, one audience member remarked that LaBelle added some Patti Patti flavor.
Story by Vanesse J.Lloyd-Sgambati
Photos by Joe Kaczmarek
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