According to reports, Sarah Dash, a respected session vocalist with Keith Richards and co-founder of the legendary pop and R&B trio Labelle with Patti LaBelle, died on Monday. She was 76 years old at the time.
The death of the “Lady Marmalade” singer was confirmed on social media by her former band members, while no cause of death has been revealed at this time.
“We were just on stage together on Saturday and it was such a powerful and special moment,” LaBelle posted to Twitter Monday evening. “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.”
Dash was born 18 Aug 1945 in Trenton, N.J., where she created a singing duo called Capris before moving to Philadelphia in the mid-sixties. There she joined vocal forces for the first time as the quartet called The Ordettes with Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx, and Sundray Tucker.
In 1962, the Big-voiced quartet changed its name to The Bluebelles after Cindy Birdsong (the Supreme’s possible replacement for Florence Ballard) replaced Tucker.
Just yesterday, Dash posted a reunion video of her a LaBelle on Instagram with a caption that read:
Isn’t it a shame (with @mspattilabelle )
Last Night My Sister Friend @mspattilabelle Asked me up to sing #OurSong 🎶 Isn’t it a shame” Just two night birds having fun up there ❤️🎶 Enjoy🎶 this was at random we did not plan this last night . 9/18/2021
Last night, fellow Labelle member Nona Hendryx wrote on Instagram: “Words are inadequate so I will use few. We spoke a musical language, music says it best. Singing brought us together…” She added that the two had just talked and texted on Saturday. “Now you’re gone, I can’t believe it.”
On Twitter, Patti LaBelle tweeted a heartful post that read, “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,” she continued. “And I pray that her precious memory brings us peace and comfort. Rest in power my dear sister. I love you always!”
