When Patti LaBelle stepped into the music business at just 14 years old, she couldn’t have imagined a career spanning six decades. Fast forward to today, and the 81-year-old icon reflects on her incredible journey with a sense of gratitude and awareness about the fleeting nature of life. “I think of my sisters who all passed before they turned 50, and so I thought that I would be one who also would… leave at a certain age,” she shared. “When I turned 70, I said, ‘I’m still doing it.’”
This year, a regal celebration embodies her legacy with “The Queens: 4 Legends. 1 Stage.” tour, featuring LaBelle alongside other music legends, including Chaka Khan, Stephanie Mills, and Gladys Knight, who is also 81 years old. Kicking off its second leg in Greensboro, North Carolina, this tour promises to be a spectacular celebration of talent and resilience, drawing fans from generations past and present.
Raising Generations
The first leg of the tour, produced by the Black Promoters Collective, was a resounding success, running from May through June. Fans enjoyed a treasure trove of megahits, including Khan’s empowering anthems “I’m Every Woman” and “Sweet Thing,” Knight’s timeless “Midnight Train to Georgia,” Mills’ “Home,” and LaBelle’s powerful “You Are My Friend.” The concert format allows each artist to shine for 45 minutes, introducing their music to a diverse audience of parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents alike.
The impact of these four musical pioneers is immeasurable, as fans and critics alike recognize their commitment to soul music and their loyal Black audience. “I hear it all the time: ‘I was weaned on you,’ from mother to grandmother on down. It’s lovely to hear,” said Khan, 72, during a joint interview with LaBelle and Mills. “I’m sure I can’t grasp the feeling that they’re feeling, but I get it — I think. And I think it’s pretty special.”
Ain’t No Stopping Us Now
With a career that began at 17 years old when she originated the role of Dorothy in “The Wiz,” Stephanie Mills, now 68, affectionately referred to as “the baby” among her co-headliners, shows no signs of slowing down. “It’s in the blood. What would we do? Sit at home and not do anything?” she mused, sharing her hopes for another Broadway stint in the near future. Mills has practically been in the business her entire life, having started performing at just 11 years old.
Musical Monarchs
While each artist boasts a storied legacy — with Khan and Knight both celebrated in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — the rarity of bringing together such iconic figures in one tour has not gone unnoticed. For Khan, whose hits include “Ain’t Nobody” and “Through the Fire,” the most significant achievement is much more profound. “Staying alive,” she said, candidly acknowledging her colorful past and previous struggles with substance abuse. “I probably took it for granted at some point in my life.”
This fall, Khan’s journey will be highlighted in the “I’m Every Woman” production, set to debut in London’s West End in early 2026. She’s also been collaborating with Sia on new music, including unreleased treasures recorded with Prince and Larry Graham of Sly and the Family Stone.
As “The Queens: 4 Legends. 1 Stage.” tour approaches its conclusion on October 5 in Cleveland, LaBelle is also preparing to launch a new syrup in her popular food line. Reflecting on her continuing ability to perform, she said, “My favorite part is just being able to still do it at my age. Most people hide their age when they turn 50… it’s a blessing, it’s a graduation. And like I said, at this age, don’t be afraid to do anything… you can’t stop living.”