Don't Block the Blessings

by Patti LaBelle

From lead singer with the Blue Belles in the '60s to Grammy Award winner in the '90s, the enduring career of Patti LaBelle is one for the books. In Don't Block the Blessings, Patti reveals the exciting story of her rise to fame, describes how she overcame serious career setbacks, and writes frankly about her own personal tragedies.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir, Autobiography

305 pages, Hardcover

First published October 4, 1996

About the author

Patti LaBelle is an American singer and actress. She fronted two groups, Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, which received minor success on the pop charts in the 1960s, and Labelle, which received acclaim and a mainstream breakthrough in 1974 with their song "Lady Marmalade". She went on to have a solo recording career, earning another U.S. #1 single in 1986 with "On My Own", a duet with Michael McDonald. She has sold over 50 million records worldwide.

She is renowned for her passionate stage performances, wide vocal range and distinctive high-octave belting. Her biography, Don't Block the Blessings, remained at the top of The New York Times best-seller list for several weeks. LaBelle has been called the Godmother of Soul, the High Priestess of Good Vibrations and the Queen Of Rock & Soul.

Reviews

[RYCJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir here is the perfect example of a personal story that inspires. Yes, there’s the pain, the tears, and hardships, but not without a fight, straddling alongside deep reflective anecdotes, and many, many laughs to wade through the tough spots.

I guess it shouldn’t have been a hard guess, wondering what was behind a woman with as big and powerful of a singing voice. In short, I loved, loved this memoir! Highly Recommended.

[justanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book that will make you Laugh out loud until tears stream down your face, cry like you lost your best friend and regret reaching the conclusion of the tale... Patti's Don't Block the Blessings delivers in spades. I have read this book from cover to cover 4 times and with each reading I still close the book caught up in the awe that is Patti LaBelle. I don't want to give the book away so I'll vaguely tell you it dishes on the rise and fall of Patti LaBelle and the BlueBells and how Patti eventually emerged as a fantastic solo artis in her own right. The book delves into her origins and the deeply moving events that catapulted her into the remarkable, memorable star that she is. Every Patti LaBelle fan will LOVE this book. Keep in mind this book is so darn good and well written, you don't have to be a fan to appreciate it. Buy it. Read it. You will not regret it!

[Kim C-B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I am not a fan of her music. I found the book very interesting.

[Darchelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

So often we ask God to help us through the trials in our life, then we impatiently step out there and handle things ourselves instead of letting HIM take care of it for us. It is a celebration of successes and disapointments told in only the way Ms. Patti can.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed her telling of her life and was shocked to hear about some of the things she suffered and by whom.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heard Patti's voice throughout this book. The book was multifaceted and honest. She talked about how so many of her family and a close friend died at young ages that she thought she was next. She talked about abuse, loss and being shy and reserved to later being asked to tone herself down as the vocal and performance powerhouse she is known for. She overcame her fear of death and began to live life and love more fully. She talked about how she never planned to be a solo artist and some of her quirks and regrets. Patti’s authenticity shines through. Don’t make “Priscilla” come out!!!

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

bought this book when it came out in hardback, read it in three days. learned alot about her life and life in general i recommend this book to "fans" of patti's or not. It was great, I have read it twice.

[R. Mark · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am a huge Patti LaBelle fan, but this novel told me nothing new. There no real revelations. I would just pass on this and grab one of her cd's.

[Amy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried the whole time I read this book. Very inspirational autobiography.

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good book

[Cara]

recommended by The Joy of Doing things badly

[Ruby B · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great insight into Patty. A great read!

[Jewell Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did this book back in 2006 with a book club. Amazing how much the stars had to go through to stay in the light. Good read and funny. And Patti you made it past 50 & 60.

[Winter Sophia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Praiseworthy Memoir! Excellent Read!

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed every bit of this book.
Patti reminds us that beyond the music and the success that she had come to achieve she is only human. The author has used simple narration to get the story across. I could relate with every emotion.
Patti has left me with the impression that sometimes calamities have a way of bringing out the best in you. You just need to know how to channel it. More in her story is the importance of family and the joy of giving.
This is a book that puts you in a moment of reverence with the urge of wanting to think through your life.
I would highly recommend this book for someone who needs to be reminded that at the end of it all we are only human beings and their is need to leave a legacy.
Patti's last words in her book,"I'm not going to die;i'm going home like a shooting star"

[Karah · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a woman as dramatic as Miss LaBelle, she maintained a sense of respectability in this memoir. There was some tea. (Tea is slang for juicy tidbits.) I won't spoil any tea for potential readers but if you enjoy memoirs where the Lord receives praise, then you'll like this book.

[S. Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM A HUGE FAN OF MS. PATTI LABELLE'S MUSIC & HER COOKING!
I FIRST READ THIS BOOK WHEN I BORROWED IT FROM MY LOCAL LIBRARY & READ IT FROM COVER TO COVER NEARLY OR ABOUT THIRTY YEARS AGO.
I WAS QUITE ENLIGHTENED BY HER STORY FROM CHILDHOOD-HER THREE SISTERS & ONE BROTHER- HOW HANDSOME OF A MAN SHE THOUGHT THAT HER DAD HAD BEEN, TO HOW HER MOTHER HAD NEARLY FOUGHT A WOMAN OVER A COAT THAT PATSY'S DAD HAD BOUGHT FOR THAT WOMAN INSTEAD OF MS. PATSY'S MOM, TO HER ODD FASCINATION OF PAINT IN THE BASEMENT & HOW SHE LEARNED NOT ALL PEOPLE WHO ARE BROUGHT INTO ONE'S WORLD-ESPECIALLY LITTLE GIRL'S WORLD- CAN BE TRUSTED.
THE STORY OF HOW LITTLE MS. PATSY CAME TO FIND HER VOICE IN MUSIC AS WELL AS IN THE WORLD.
I WAS SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT SHE WAS ONCE ENGAGED TO MARRY OTIS WILLIAMS, THE SURVIVING MEMBER OF THE TEMPTATIONS, WHO FROM HER PERSPECTIVE WANTED HER TO RETIRE FROM SINGING & BE A HOUSEWIFE.
I WAS DISHEARTENED TO READ HER RECOLLECTION OF WHAT THE LATE JACKIE WILSON HAD ALLEGEDLY DONE TO HER, HOW DIANA ROSS HAD TRIED MANY TIMES TO OUTSHINE SHE & THE BLUE BELLS DURING PERFORMANCES WHEN THEY WERE ON THE SAME BILL TO PERFORM, AS WELL AS OTHER INSTANCES THAT LEFT ME SHAKING MY HEAD.
I GUESS THE PART THAT LEFT ME SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTED IN MS. PATTI LABELLE IS WHEN SHE ALLOWED HERSELF TO BEING UNAVAILABLE FOR HER DYING SISTER (JACKY), WHO WANTED HER/PATTI TO COME & COOK HER SOMETHING THAT WOULD NOT UPSET HER STOMACH AS SHE BATTLED WITH CANCER. UPON BEING DENIED, JACKY PASSED ON NOT LONG LATER/THE NEXT DAY OR SO. FAMILY FIRST IS WHAT I FELT MS. LABELLE SHOULD HAVE REMINDED HERSELF.
THERE WERE SO MANY STORIES THAT MS. LABELLE SHARED INSIDE THE BOOK WHICH I FELT GRATEFUL FOR HER BEING SO FORTHCOMING WITH PARTS OF HER LIFE.
I'M GLAD THAT I MADE THIS BOOK APART OF MY PERSONAL COLLECTION!

[Gloria E Meunier · Rating 4 out of 5]

The vulnerability of this American Icon is astonishing and enlightening.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am glad things worked out for her, and grant her courage and kindness.

[Rachel Maxwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pattie LaBelle keeps it real in her autobiography.