Labelle co-founder and Lady Marmalade singer Sarah Dash has died, aged 76

21 September 2021, 18:22 | Updated: 13 October 2023, 14:03

Singer and co-founder of Labelle, Sarah Dash, has died at the age of 76.

The co-founder of the all-female group Labelle and ‘Lady Marmalade’ singer Sarah Dash has died aged 76.

Patti LaBelle confirmed the news on social media, describing her friend and former group member as an "awesomely talented, beautiful, and loving soul".

"We were just on-stage together on Saturday and it was such a powerful and special moment," Patti wrote.

"I am heartbroken, as I know all of her loved ones and fans are."

LaBelle added: "I know that Sarah's spirit and all that she has given to the world live on!"

The singer responded to her own tweet with a video of the pair singing on stage together.

Patti LaBelle performs with Sarah Dash on stage in ‘special moment’

Dash joined Patti, Cindy Birdsong and Nona Hendryx in the early '60s to form the Blue Belles.

In later years they became known as Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, and had hits with the songs 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and 'Over the Rainbow'.

When Cindy left the group to join the Supremes, the remaining singers changed their style and music, and re-formed as Labelle in 1971.

The group went to number one in the US Billboard chart in 1975 with 'Lady Marmalade'.