Singer Sarah Dash, a co-founder of pioneering all-female R&B group Labelle, who had hits in the 60s and 70s, including the infamous track "Lady Marmalade" died on September 20th. She was set to be inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame before her death.
Sarah Dash joined up with Patti LaBelle and Nona Hendryx, and they settled on the name LaBelle. Which originally started as a 1960s girl group before reviving itself as a socially aware, Afro-futuristic rock and funk powerhouse, outfitted in futuristic sci-fi attire and songs about revolution as well as romance. Dash brought her church-influenced soprano and distinctive high harmonies to the group.
The song Labelle and Dash are most known for "Lady Marmalade" reached No. 1 in 1975 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Soul Singles (now Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs). The classic single was also voted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003 and the National Recording Registry in 2020. The powerhouse track also found a new audience when it was re-recorded by Christine Aguilera, Pink, Lil' Kim, and Mya for the soundtrack of Baz Luhrmann's film Moulin Rouge in 2001.
After LaBelle broke up in 1976, Dash embarked on a solo career and sang on The Rolling Stones' 1989 album Steel Wheels and did session work for Chic's Nile Rodgers and The O'Jays.
Fellow bandmate Nona Hendryx described Ms. Dash as "She was a little ball of energy. Sarah was very meticulous about vocal parts. Patti and I would just want to do whatever we wanted to do, and Sarah had really great ears and was really great with harmony. That was her strength. She was the glue."
Group namesake Patti Labelle said in a statement, "We were just on stage together on Saturday (September 18), and it was such a powerful and special moment," she continued "Sarah Dash was an awesomely talented, beautiful, and loving soul who blessed my life and the lives of so many others in more ways than I can say. I could always count on her to have my back. That's who Sarah was- a loyal friend and a voice for those who didn't have one. She was a true giver, always serving and sharing her talent and time. I am heartbroken, as I know all of her loved ones and fans are. But I know that Sarah's spirit and all that she has given to the world live on. And I pray that her precious memory brings us peace and comfort. Rest in power, my dear sister. I love you always!"
Labelle co-founders Patti LaBelle and Nona Hendryx as well as Keith Richards will pay tribute to Dash at the induction event on October 16th, which will be hosted by Danny DeVito in Newark, NJ.