New York, NY. (Top 40 Charts/ Shore Fire Media) - Three decades after the release of their last album, the formidable group Labelle (Sarah Dash, Nona Hendryx and Patti LaBelle) are back in full form with 'Back To Now' (Oct 21, Verve). The highly anticipated new full-length album produced by Gamble Huff,
Lenny Kravitz and
Wyclef Jean "adds a contemporary vibe without taking away from the funky Labelle that longtime fans remember." (Billboard, 10.18.08) 'Back to Now' features original songs with the vocal firepower, lush harmonies, sassy lyrics, and funky melodies conveying messages of empowerment and passion.
With their ornate costumes and theatrical show which the LA Times called "part gospel revival, part circus, part love-in" (10/12/08), Labelle shines the brightest on stage, and this momentous return at the world famous Apollo Theater is sure to be one of the most talked-about events of the season.
From their formation in 1961 at the dawn of the girl-group era, through their pioneering years fusing rock, soul, and funk, Labelle's innovation has set them apart in a genre all their own. Opening up for rock icons such as The Who and the Rolling Stones, the group continually pushed gender boundaries in music of black origin as they revolutionized the roles women played in R, rock 'n' roll, and even fashion.
WHO: Labelle (Sarah Dash, Nona Hendryx, Patti LaBelle) are "visionaries of spectacular, genre-blasting pop." (Los Angeles Times, 10/12/08)
WHAT: Celebrating the release of their first CD in over 30 years 'Back to Now' (Verve), Labelle will perform songs from their phenomenal career including "Lady Marmalade" and the new single "Superlover."
WHEN: Friday, December 19th - 7:00pm doors; 8:00pm showtime
WHERE: The World Famous Apollo Theater
253 West 125th Street
between Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd Frederick Douglass Blvd.
TICKET PRICES: $200 Gold Circle - VIP package
$125 Orchestra
$100 Lower mezzanine
$75 Upper mezzanine
Tickets go on sale Tuesday, October 21st and are available at the Apollo Theater Box Office, 212 531 5305 and through Ticketmaster, 212.307.7171 / ticketmaster.com.
About the Apollo Theater:
Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has played a major role in the emergence of innovative musical genres including jazz, swing, bebop, R, gospel, blues, soul and hip-hop. Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis, Jr., James Brown, Bill Cosby, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, D'Angelo, Lauryn Hill, and countless others began their road to stardom on the Apollo's stage.
Based on its cultural significance and architecture, the Apollo Theater received state and city landmark designation in 1983 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Apollo Theater Foundation was established as a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit corporation in 1991 and is dedicated to the preservation and development of the Apollo Theater. The historic venue hosts major concerts and special events and continues its tradition of discovering future stars with its weekly installment of Apollo Amateur Night every Wednesday night. Harlem is Manhattan's third most popular tourist destination and the Apollo remains Harlem's top attraction, drawing 1.3 million visitors annually.
The world famous Apollo Theater, "where stars are born and legends are made" (TM) is located in the heart of Harlem at 253 West 125 Street, between Adam Clayton Powell Blvd (7th Ave.) and Frederick Douglass Blvd (8th Ave.). For further information about the Apollo Theater, visit the website at www.apollotheater.org.
