Patti LaBelle to Perform at Democratic National Convention on Night 2

Legendary R&B singer Patti LaBelle will perform at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday (Aug. 20) in Chicago at the United Center, the Kamala Harris campaign confirms to Billboard.

The multiple-Grammy winner follows country singer Mickey Guyton and Americana artist Jason Isbell, who played the opening night (Aug. 19) of the four-day event. Longtime Democratic supporter and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer James Taylor was slated to perform, but was cut for time constraints and to allow President Joe Biden on stage earlier.

Among the speakers slated for the four-hour primetime slot Tuesday — under the theme A Bold Vision for America’s Future — are former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama; Harris’ husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff; and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. (Harris’ VP pick, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, will speak Aug. 21). Tuesday’s host will be commentator Ana Navarro. 

The “New Attitude” singer is no stranger to the DNC stage.  She performed a spine-tingling version of the Sam Cooke classic and civil rights anthem “A Change is Gonna Come” at the 2004 DNC.  

She is also no stranger to Harris and Biden. LaBelle most recently performed on the White House South Lawn on June 10 for Biden’s Juneteenth concert.  In 2021, Biden signed a law that made June 19 (Juneteenth) a federal holiday, commemorating when the last enslaved people learned of their freedom in 1865. She was joined by Gladys Knight, Kirk Franklin, Anthony Hamilton, Doug E. Fresh, Brittney Spencer, Trombone Shorty, Charlie Wilson and other performers. 

LaBelle is on her 8065 tour, so named for her age, 80, and her 65th year in music. The tour, which started in July, ends Dec. 18 in St. Petersburg, Fla.  When Billboard asked her earlier this year if she had any plans to retire, the icon answered, “No way. I’m going to keep on going. There’s no reason to stop unless you just can’t do anything anymore, right? And how can you retire from something you love?”