Sarah Dash facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sarah Dash
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Sarah Dash in Philadelphia 2014
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| Background information | |
| Born | August 18, 1945 Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | September 20, 2021 (aged 76) |
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| Years active | 1961–2021 |
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Sarah Dash (born August 18, 1945 – died September 20, 2021) was an American singer and actress. She became known as a member of the group Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles. Later, she was part of the famous group Labelle. Sarah Dash also worked as a singer for other big names, including The Rolling Stones and Keith Richards.
Contents
Sarah Dash's Journey in Music
Starting Out in Music
Sarah Dash was born in Trenton, New Jersey. She was one of 13 children! Her father was a pastor, and her mother was a nurse. Sarah first sang gospel music in church. But as a pre-teen, she started singing other types of music. She formed a singing group called The Capris.
In the mid-1960s, Sarah moved to Philadelphia. There, she met up with Nona Hendryx, Patti LaBelle, and Sundray Tucker. In 1961, they formed a group called "The Ordettes." Soon after, Cindy Birdsong joined, and the group became "The Bluebelles" in 1962. They later changed their name to Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles.
The Bluebelles had several hit songs. These included "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman" and "You'll Never Walk Alone." They also had "Down the Aisle" and their famous version of "Over the Rainbow." Sarah Dash was known for her clear, strong soprano voice.
Becoming Labelle
In 1967, Cindy Birdsong left the group to join The Supremes. Four years later, in 1971, The Bluebelles changed their name to Labelle. They started making music that was different from other girl groups. Their songs often talked about political and social issues. They became a "hard-rocking, politically outspoken group."
Labelle also changed their style. They stopped wearing big wigs and fancy dresses. Instead, they wore Afro hairstyles and jeans. They released albums like Labelle and Moon Shadow. These albums showed their new sound.
The group became more popular after touring with singer-songwriter Laura Nyro. They also toured with the British rock band The Who. In 1973, they released Pressure Cookin'. On this album, Sarah Dash sang lead vocals on some songs, like "Can I Speak to You Before You Go to Hollywood?". Her strong voice helped balance the group's sound.
Labelle's biggest hit came in 1974 with "Lady Marmalade" from their album Nightbirds. They released one more album, Chameleon, in 1976. After a tour in 1977, the group decided to go their separate ways.
Solo Music Career
In 1978, Sarah Dash released her first solo album. It included the popular disco song "Sinner Man." She also sang on other songs like "You" and "We're Lovers After All." She had another small disco hit called "(Come and Take) This Candy from Your Baby."
Sarah also wrote and sang the theme song for the 1980s TV show Watch Your Mouth. She even appeared on an episode of the show, playing a character named Tessie Bright.
Later, in 1983, Sarah released two dance singles. One of them, "Lucky Tonight," was very successful. It reached number 5 on the Billboard Dance Chart. She also sang on a hip hop record called Satisfaction in 1985. Sarah also did backing vocals for other artists like The O'Jays and Nile Rodgers.
In 1988, Sarah signed with Manhattan Records. She released an album called You're All I Need. This album featured a duet with Patti LaBelle on the title track. She also sang a duet with Ray, Goodman & Brown.
Working with The Rolling Stones
In 1988, Keith Richards from The Rolling Stones invited Sarah Dash to join him on tour. This led to her touring with Richards' band, X-pensive Winos. She also appeared on two of his albums. Sarah even sang on The Rolling Stones' album Steel Wheels in 1989.
Sarah and Keith Richards became close friends. They had known each other since the 1960s when Patti LaBelle and The Blue Belles opened for The Rolling Stones. Sarah recorded the duet "Make No Mistake" with him. She also sang lead vocals on a powerful version of "Time Is on My Side." Keith Richards himself said it was "the best version of that song he's ever heard." Another highlight was her singing the female vocal on "Gimme Shelter" during their tours.
Later Career and Labelle Reunions
In the early 1990s, Sarah Dash created her own one-woman show called "Dash of Diva." She performed this show in different clubs.
In 1995, Sarah reunited with Patti LaBelle and Nona Hendryx. They recorded the song "Turn It Out" for a movie soundtrack. This song became a number 1 dance music hit!
Labelle reunited a few times over the years for TV shows and recordings. In 2008, they released a new album called Back to Now. Sarah Dash sang lead vocals on the group's political song, "System." The album was produced by famous artists like Lenny Kravitz and Wyclef Jean.
Sarah Dash was honored by her hometown of Trenton, New Jersey. She was the grand marshal in their Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2008. This honor showed that people from Trenton can achieve great success.
In 2012, Sarah released a gospel ballad called "I'm Still Here." She also released a dance music single called "Hold On (He'll Be Right There)."
In October 2017, Sarah Dash and the group Labelle were added to the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame. In 2016, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from The National R&B Music Society.
Helping Others
Since the early 1990s, Sarah Dash focused a lot on charity work. She helped raise money for single women with children who were experiencing homelessness in New York. She received an award from the Deputy Mayor of New York City for her efforts. Sarah collected donations like clothing, toys, books, and food for these families. She also organized fun activities for the children, like trips to amusement parks and theater shows.
Personal Life
Sarah Dash was married for a short time and did not have any children. She wrote an autobiography called Dash of Diva. She also wrote and performed in a musical with the same title.
Her Passing
Sarah Dash passed away unexpectedly on September 20, 2021, at the age of 76. The cause of her death was not shared.
Her very last performance was just two days before she died. She sang with Patti LaBelle on stage in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Discography
Albums
- Sarah Dash, 1978, Kirshner Records
- Ooh La La, Sarah Dash, 1980, Kirshner Records
- Close Enough, 1983, Kirshner Records
- You're All I Need, 1988, EMI
Singles
- "Sinner Man" (1978), Kirshner Records
- "(Come and Take This) Candy from Your Baby" (1978), Kirshner
- "Ooh La La Too Soon" (1980), Kirshner
- "Leaving Again" (1983), Kirshner
- "Low Down Dirty Rhythm" (1983), Megatone Records
- "Lucky Tonight" (1983), Megatone Records
- "Satisfaction" (with High Fidelity Three) (1985), Cutting Records
- "It's Too Late" (with Dr. York) (1985)
- "Feel Good" (1988), EMI
- "When You Talk to Me" (1990), EMI-Manhattan
- "Sparkle" (with Ari Gold) (2011), Gold 18 Records
- "Hold On (He'll Be Right There)" (2012), Superlatude
- "Sinner Man" (2021 Remixes), House of Pride Music
Film and Television Appearances
- SOUL!, 1968
- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band, 1978, MCA
- Midnight Special, 1978
- Merv Griffin Show, 1978
- Dinah Shore Show, 1978
- Dance Fever, 1978
- Soul Train, 1978
- Don Kirshner's Rock Concert, 1978
- Watch Your Mouth (acting as character 'Tessie Bright'), 1978, PBS
- Soul Train, 1978
- Mr. SOUL!, 2018 (archival footage)
Theater Work
- Teatro Zinzanni (San Francisco), May – August 2007
