Legendary singer and performer Sarah Dash passed away on September 20 at age 76, Soul Tracks reported.
The Trenton, New Jersey native, was one of the iconic girl group Labelle’s founding members, which featured two other legendary singers – Nona Hendryx and Patti LaBelle. The group initially began in the 60s as the Ordettes, then the Bluebelles and in 1971– the group settled on Labelle.
One of the group’s biggest hits was the 1975 single “Lady Marmalade.” The track was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003.
Even when the original group disbanded to pursue solo careers, Dash’s career soared. The talented soprano continued singing as a beloved session singer, and Dash also toured with the Rolling Stones as a background singer.
According to NJ.com, the proud Jersey girl never forgot who roots and came back home to Trenton to perform and teach others about music and the ins and outs of the industry.
In July, Dash was inducted into the state’s Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony was scheduled for next month.
Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora expressed his feelings regarding the icon’s passing, saying, “Today I grieve with the city of Trenton and a worldwide community of fans. Our resident legend and Trenton’s very first music ambassador, Sarah Dash, has passed away. My heart goes out to her family and friends.”
“I’m looking forward to embracing my fellow Trentonians as we privately and collectively celebrate her music and humanitarian works. While she may have passed from this life to the next, her star will never fade from this city and the hearts of its residents.”
Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes also weighed in on Dash’s passing, saying, “The legendary Sarah Dash was celebrated for her enormous musical talent not only in Mercer County but on the world’s stage throughout her 50-plus year career in the entertainment industry.”
“She was beloved in Trenton because she never hesitated to use her talents to improve the lives of Trenton residents, whether it was by promoting the arts in the local community, or more recently, stepping up as a role model during the coronavirus pandemic and using her voice to encourage everyone to get vaccinated. She was an inspiration to so many, and she will be missed.”
A video circulating on Twitter showed Dash surprising her sister in soul, Patti LaBelle, on stage during a performance at a Maryland Casino. On September 17, the two brought the house down like old times for the last time.
@arshwena @craigspoplife aunt @SarahDash just surprised @MsPattiPatti tonight and began singing together
#Labelle #SarahDash #PattiLabelle pic.twitter.com/p4VvqJ5tn6
— bobbie b (@Bougie_Bobbie) September 19, 2021
LaBelle shared a touching tribute to her sister, calling the woman “a loyal friend” and a ”true giver.”
— Patti LaBelle (@MsPattiPatti) September 20, 2021
A cause of death has not been determined. Our prayers go out to Dash’s family and friends.
