This is a perfect example of why we must pay homage to the soul music greats, because through it all, Patti has continued to share her gift of song with us….and we will always respect that. As we all know, celebs are people just like us, who have their fair share of hardships in life, but this one is a shocker! Patti LaBelle has said that a very well known, iconic soul singer attempted to rape her back in the 60’s.
Her story of being sexually assaulted was one that I hadn’t heard her speak of before, until I read her book, “Don’t Block The Blessings“ a few years ago.
According to Patti, it was Jackie Wilson who attempted to rape her backstage at a theater.
Here’s her account of what happened that day via news publication, Michigan Chronicle:
Patti Labelle has had her share of downs, one of which involves being the victim of an attempted rape by another of the greatest singers and performers of all time, the iconic Jackie Wilson. It happened, LaBelle alleges, in the early 1960s. At the time she was with the group Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles. The scene was backstage at a theater and LaBelle happened to be alone. Someone, she says, came up behind her.
“It was Jackie Wilson,” she recalled. “He was kissing my neck and I could smell the liquor on his breath. As I struggled to free myself, Jackie’s accomplice started dragging me in backwards. I was kicking with all my might, but I was no match for him.” Next thing she knew, she was locked in a room.
“Jackie started touching. I started screaming, but no one could hear me. I didn’t have a knife, but I had my voice. I started screaming even louder, at the top of my lungs, and I can scream every bit as loud as I can sing.”
There’s more:
“It worked. Suddenly they backed off. They let me go. I ran as fast as I could in the direction of the lights.” Gladys Knight didn’t deny the accuracy of Patti LaBelle’s story, but remembers Jackie Wilson as a perfect gentleman who always went out of his way to help Gladys Knight & the Pips in the group’s early days. One man, two remembrances.”
Geesh, this is deep! It’s extremely hard to hear stories like this about legends whom we have great respect for from an artistic standpoint. But again, it’s also a reminder that celebs are people, just like us- some of them are incredibly flawed and some of them not-as-flawed.
Overall ILOSM fam,’ are y’all surprised by Patti’s reveal about Jackie Wilson, or nah?
they are human just like everyone else. just because they are stars, dont mean they dont do wrong too….in fact, they are more prone to do wrong.
they are human just like everyone else. just because they are stars, dont mean they dont do wrong too….in fact, they are more prone to do wrong.
Believable, this artist live lives untold, males and females. He is one of my favorite artist. and so is Patti La belle and Tina Turner.
Believable, this artist live lives untold, males and females. He is one of my favorite artist. and so is Patti La belle and Tina Turner.
this is awful news.. jackie IS my favorite still..at least his voice…. i`m wondering if berry gordie knew of this…
this is awful news.. jackie IS my favorite still..at least his voice…. i`m wondering if berry gordie knew of this…
Wait til the man’s dead so he can’t defend himself. smh!
Wait til the man’s dead so he can’t defend himself. smh!
Jackie Wilson was known to be a violent man and a heavy drinker so I believe her.
Jackie Wilson was known to be a violent man and a heavy drinker so I believe her.
wonder what jackie would say to her putting that out there like that an of course we will never know
wonder what jackie would say to her putting that out there like that an of course we will never know
I believe Patti. At the age of fourteen I saw Jackie Wilson let’s say not at his best. One of the ladies waiting to see him after a show got caught between his bus and the front of a car. She wanted an autograph he wanted more. He didn’t care about her when she refused his advances. Some other fans had to rock the car so the lady could escape being crushed. What did he care about? His paper cup full of booze. He almost spilled it. Not one of my favorite people after that. He was literally reeking of booze and falling down drunk in the parking lot of the Penn Theater in Pittsburgh. His people had to load him into a car. SMH
I believe Patti. At the age of fourteen I saw Jackie Wilson let’s say not at his best. One of the ladies waiting to see him after a show got caught between his bus and the front of a car. She wanted an autograph he wanted more. He didn’t care about her when she refused his advances. Some other fans had to rock the car so the lady could escape being crushed. What did he care about? His paper cup full of booze. He almost spilled it. Not one of my favorite people after that. He was literally reeking of booze and falling down drunk in the parking lot of the Penn Theater in Pittsburgh. His people had to load him into a car. SMH
What would she gain from lying about such a thing? Nothing, that I could see, but, some peace of mind, some closure. She is not some ‘has-been’. She is a celebrated recording artist and icon. I believe the telling of the story was cathartic, for her.
As far as Gladys Knight, Jackie had the good sense NOT to attempt anything, such as that. She had a brother and cousins (the Pips) that were her constant travel companions. To try anything, like that, with HER, would have been VERY foolish.
What would she gain from lying about such a thing? Nothing, that I could see, but, some peace of mind, some closure. She is not some ‘has-been’. She is a celebrated recording artist and icon. I believe the telling of the story was cathartic, for her.
As far as Gladys Knight, Jackie had the good sense NOT to attempt anything, such as that. She had a brother and cousins (the Pips) that were her constant travel companions. To try anything, like that, with HER, would have been VERY foolish.
I believe her because it happen to a lot of women of cf color in those day it happen to pam great typo
I believe her because it happen to a lot of women of cf color in those day it happen to pam great typo
Patti story has changed. First she said some men brought her to his dressing room for him to sleep with her.she said she was nervous and started crying. Then Jackie told the guys to leave her alone and let her go.she said he didnt rape her.or tried anything when asked a few years ago.she didn’t say he tried to rape her 3 yrs ago. Which story is real? Did she think we forgot what she said? Two entirely different stories
Patti story has changed. First she said some men brought her to his dressing room for him to sleep with her.she said she was nervous and started crying. Then Jackie told the guys to leave her alone and let her go.she said he didnt rape her.or tried anything when asked a few years ago.she didn’t say he tried to rape her 3 yrs ago. Which story is real? Did she think we forgot what she said? Two entirely different stories
And she is saying this now, why.
And she is saying this now, why.
In the sixties far too many rapes and attempted rape would go unreported.
In the sixties far too many rapes and attempted rape would go unreported.
This is old news. Read it a long time ago in her book
This is old news. Read it a long time ago in her book
I believe her back them people would not say anything but never forget
I believe her back them people would not say anything but never forget
No I am not surprised. Ain’t no telling what goes on with entertainers. They are some strange and wild creatures (some of them) and they are human as well. Being an entertainer is their j-o-b and not their persona. He was probably a gentleman to Gladys because she had three males with her most of the time.
No I am not surprised. Ain’t no telling what goes on with entertainers. They are some strange and wild creatures (some of them) and they are human as well. Being an entertainer is their j-o-b and not their persona. He was probably a gentleman to Gladys because she had three males with her most of the time.
I don’t think patti would lie about something so serious, I believe her.
I don’t think patti would lie about something so serious, I believe her.
Jackie Wilcox was a handsome man and young girl liked older guys.he is dead now let him rest in peace
Jackie Wilcox was a handsome man and young girl liked older guys.he is dead now let him rest in peace
Gladys Knight was an act with her brother and two male cousins who would’ve beat him silly for assaulted her. I’m sure Jackie noted that and acted accordingly. Patti has no reason to lie. it makes sense he’d be one way with Gladys but try to force himself on a woman alone without male protection.
Gladys Knight was an act with her brother and two male cousins who would’ve beat him silly for assaulted her. I’m sure Jackie noted that and acted accordingly. Patti has no reason to lie. it makes sense he’d be one way with Gladys but try to force himself on a woman alone without male protection.
I believe her! #PointBlankPeriod
I believe her! #PointBlankPeriod
I believe you Patti and it does not matter if he is dead or not. You had to finally release it from your heart and mind. People want to forget he was a man and capable of good and evil.
I believe you Patti and it does not matter if he is dead or not. You had to finally release it from your heart and mind. People want to forget he was a man and capable of good and evil.
She told the story years ago, at least 16 yrs ago is when I read it, In her book “Don’t Block the Blessings” so don’t think she is just now revealing this!!!
She told the story years ago, at least 16 yrs ago is when I read it, In her book “Don’t Block the Blessings” so don’t think she is just now revealing this!!!
So sorry that happen to her from a person that was looked up to with respect&@ that time, reporting the incident wouldn’t have matter
So sorry that happen to her from a person that was looked up to with respect&@ that time, reporting the incident wouldn’t have matter
Its true she talked about this in her past interview
Its true she talked about this in her past interview
I’d beat somebody’s ass over Ms. PATTY !
I’d beat somebody’s ass over Ms. PATTY !
What r yall talking about she been said this google it n shut up
What r yall talking about she been said this google it n shut up
Patty told this story a long time ago, im pretty certain it’s in her first book, Patti’s Pearls
Patty told this story a long time ago, im pretty certain it’s in her first book, Patti’s Pearls
Gladys had her brothers with her, so any man would have been a perfect gentleman. I dont have to know anything about Jackie Wilson to believe that Patti LaBelle is telling the truth. She has too much class to make up a story like that. Nothing to gain from lying. God Bless Ms Patti!
Patti actually came out about this many years ago. It’s in one of her early books.
Gladys had her brothers with her, so any man would have been a perfect gentleman. I dont have to know anything about Jackie Wilson to believe that Patti LaBelle is telling the truth. She has too much class to make up a story like that. Nothing to gain from lying. God Bless Ms Patti!
Patti actually came out about this many years ago. It’s in one of her early books.
She offered this account many, many, many years ago. She wrote about it in her book.
She offered this account many, many, many years ago. She wrote about it in her book.
I think what annoys me more than anything is when people skip through an article only to read the end instead of the whole article. “Don’t Block The Blessings” was published in 1996. It’s in the book that she shared this story. SO THIS ISN’T ALL OF A SUDDENYoSUDDEN. You are just hearing about it now because of all the rap accusations. Had you read the article you’d know the source of this story. I swear the media loves to perpetuate controversy and folks fall for it every single time. Lol. Suckers.
I think what annoys me more than anything is when people skip through an article only to read the end instead of the whole article. “Don’t Block The Blessings” was published in 1996. It’s in the book that she shared this story. SO THIS ISN’T ALL OF A SUDDENYoSUDDEN. You are just hearing about it now because of all the rap accusations. Had you read the article you’d know the source of this story. I swear the media loves to perpetuate controversy and folks fall for it every single time. Lol. Suckers.
The man is dead and with that can’t defend himself…
The man is dead and with that can’t defend himself…
She didn’t wait till now, she talked about this along time ago, 10 years ago she spoke about this, she was 16 at the time of the attempted assault
She didn’t wait till now, she talked about this along time ago, 10 years ago she spoke about this, she was 16 at the time of the attempted assault