Nona Hendryx – Labelle soul meets Prince funk

Early Life & Labelle

Solo Career & Prince Collaboration

Nona Bernis Hendryx  (born October 9, 1944) is an American vocalist, record producer, songwriter, musician, and author. She is best known as one-third of the iconic trio Labelle, famous for the 1974 hit "Lady Marmalade". Hendryx has enjoyed a long solo career blending soul, funk, R&B, hard rock, new wave, and new-age music. Early Career Born in Trenton, New Jersey, she formed a group with Sarah Dash and Patti LaBelle. They started as the Blue Belles and later became Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles. Their 1962 hit "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman" brought early success. In 1971 they rebranded as Labelle, adopting a bolder, glam, and socially conscious style. Hendryx became the group’s main songwriter.

Solo Career Highlights • 1977 – Self-titled debut solo album • 1983 – Nona (produced by Material) – hits: "Keep It Confidential" & signature song "Transformation" • 1984 – The Art of Defense • 1985 – The Heat (featured "Rock This House" with Keith Richards – Grammy nominated) • 1987 – Female Trouble – biggest hit "Why Should I Cry?" (Top 10 R&B) Prince Collaboration: “Baby Go-Go” • Third track on Female Trouble (1987) • Released as the album’s second single approximately three months later. • Basic tracking by Prince: 12 June 1986 at Sunset Sound, Hollywood. • Nona Hendryx re-recorded the track in early 1987 in New York with her own musicians.

Labelle Reunions

Prince Connection

Labelle has reunited multiple times, notably for the 2008 album Back to Now and tours. Personal Life  Hendryx has lived in Manhattan’s Upper West Side since the early 1970s. She is openly bisexual, with long-term partner Vicki Wickham. She is a longtime gay-rights activist and was involved in anti-apartheid efforts. She has also written a children’s book (The Brownies), acted, and continues to tour and create music. Prince “Baby Go-Go” Recording Details Nona Hendryx Version Personnel  • Nona Hendryx – lead vocals • Trevor Gale – drums • T.M. Stevens – bass • Ronny Drayton – guitar • Mavis Staples & George Clinton – background vocals • Steve Scales – percussion • Uptown Horns (Crispin Cioe, Arno Hecht, Paul Litteral, Robert Funk)

Released Versions • Baby Go-Go (Album Version) – 5:25 • Baby Go-Go (7" Alge Mix) – 4:02 (remix by Chris Lord-Alge) • Baby Go-Go (Rub-A-Dub-Dub) – 6:25 (remix by Mark S. Berry) • Baby Go-Go (Superstitious Mix) – 6:49 (remix by Mark S. Berry) • Baby Go-Go (Single Version) – 4:08 George Clinton also appears in the official music video.