Patti LaBelle & Michael Bolton

[@fld2240]

Very few people can hold their own against Patti. But he did, He went to the rafters with her. One of my favorite performances.

[@colby4lloveu252]

Fredrick Douse you are absolutely right!

[@jada972]

For Me too it's my favorite duet of Patti Labelle

[@wllfaith]

Absolutely correct!!!

[@slim0815]

Absolutely

[@godsmigtywarrior]

I loved Michael Bolton before this, but I gained a whole new level of respect after this. Very few singers, male or female, can hold their own with Patti. He did the doggone thing. This is one of my favorite duets of all time!! Thanks for posting it.

[@jada972]

I m a agree with you. I m discovering him again with this show. Il love him more Alain. patti Labelle's voice is so powerful, it's very hard to sing with her if your level is low

[@philbert572]

@@jada972 I am completely thrown out and shocked and in awe as a singer and guitarist!!! Only God bestows such talent... Two absolute Legends.... I just wish to sound quality was better but that's okay

[@jada972]

@@philbert572 i'd like to return in past for being at this place and just crying to hear both singing. In France we don't have so powerfull voices

[@Friend2FriendnMA]

That was a bloody performance for the record books! They tore it up!!!

[@cflo1023]

TORE IT UP! Yep

[@sharelleervin4723]

Ok...

[@liltony4233]

They SHOWED UP and SHOWED OUT! Their voices truly complimented each other's.

[@GospelAccording2ME]

Bravo to Mikey for being able to hang w LaBelle in a live setting. Not many could have done it.

[@REDDOG525]

All I can say, " @ 2:57 Patti Labelle gave that tremendous band/orchestra that was backing them up a run for their money and tore their asses a new sound. Patti's voice was empowering chords of a serious French Horn & Baritone Horn SECTION with her holding them notes CAREFULLY and POWERFULLY coming down the scale. While doing this, she pointed and directed Michael Bolton to "free style." Michael took that direction indeed, hitting some serious "Patti Notes" of his own with some serious range.

[@clevelandmclean6797]

Man he came out fighting. Patti made him work for it .wow!

[@karaokesinger1758]

The only guy in the planet i saw who can keep up with Patti, Michael Bolton. This is the first time Patti does not have restrain herself singing with a guy. Powerful and soulful voice of Michael is a force to be reckoned with thats why he is one of my fave singers. Patti is so happy here

[@trymenot81]

The audience erupted into spontaneous, rapturous applause, leaping to their feet as a whole. Precise and appropriate response to a once in a lifetime performance. This proved to be the sole reason for my owning a VCR!

[@dericktriplett2178]

Vocals masterfully on point, diction in placed, and character is one hell of a performance. I'm 47 and I remembered in 1988-89 when it first came on TV. Always have love them, but didn't know back then they can tare it up like that. DAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@doneLjohnsonjr]

F.A.C.T.S.!

[@mahoganystarchild]

Some singers like patti can eat a duet partner up, even she isn't meaning to do so. I had no idea Bolton could sing like that! HE definitely held his own and put some stank on it. Beautiful colab

[@DINOLOVER6717]

This is the ONLY MAN that can hold a candle to Patti when she gets to screaming! She took it easy on Michael McDonald in "On My Own" but Michael Bolton can scream with her like NO OTHER!!!! They are beasting in this duet!!

[@MattMcDade-hy7qz]

Anyone that can sing Rock to Pop to Opera is no joke

[@DEIHireDefinitelyEarnedIt]

No Luther and Gerald L. deserve that!

[@michaelgreisinger5255]

​​​@@DEIHireDefinitelyEarnedIt I'm sorry I love Luther, but Michael Bolton killed this. Luther couldn't do this performance on his best day. Michael was hitting some high notes for days in full voice. Not to mention his falsetto.

[@MM-tx7gi]

Patti Labelle cannot be denied her place in history as one of the greatest singers of all time!

[@jermainereed9143]

That part

[@Richard-to1tm]

Well said.

[@coolco1619]

Usually Patti LaBelle sang everybody down! but not in this case, Michael Bolton gave it back as much as she could get... what a phenomenal performance. So glad I've found this clip.

[@stillwill2215]

Bolton called her the voice of the century" [and he was right] and he is equally as good, but Nobody brings the excitement , range love, like Patti LaBelle, she is The Queen.

[@stillwill2215]

'TheBEST VOICE OF OUR TIME" , is what Bolton called her.

[@dericktriplett2178]

stillwill2215 i cant help but watch it over and over. I was 16 when this performance came on T.V. my family watched it. I was like omg never seen someone perform live like this with a pure natural voice, i mean it was like another time frame. Just fuckin unbelievable.

[@jermainereed9143]

@@stillwill2215 whatever he called her he knew she was a rare vocal beast.

[@shanyjoe88]

You could tell at first Michael really didn’t want to go there...he even gestured downward a couple times trying to keep it vanilla but Patti was going whether he wanted or not. Gotta admit for a guy that filled in last minute and didn’t know the lyrics to hall the songs he held his own with her. Probably the best duet to ever be on live tv

[@skepchica]

He was probably terrified after she hit that note at 2:22 and drowned out the band. But when she started sliding down the scales with all that power, he had no choice- and what happened then was pure magic!

[@MrBarrywes]

​@@skepchicavery will put

[@Charles-kw3nx]

They both did an excellent job. And few singers can hang with Patti Labelle in her prime. Michael Bolton hung in there.

[@keith1980ful]

I know this was many years ago. But Patti kicked ass. She made Michael sing. Not to many professional singers can keep up with Patti labelle but Michael was right there

[@iancorley7681]

Michael Bolton is an amazing singer, but I know HE KNEW Patti LaBelle just helped him increase fans and album sales tenfold! He held his own with the BEST! Homeboy probably didn't get a wink of sleep that night!! Brava!

[@KenyattaArnette]

I remember when this aired on TV. My family went up in an uproar in the living room. There is only one Miss Patti!!!

[@coenpat]

and Mr Bolton :)

[@verlinden80]

Kenyatta Arnette what show wuz this

[@savageheathen8172]

I think it was motown 25

[@asayudwhaddameant8346]

No, Motown 25 was in 1983. Patti was not asked to perform, and Michael Bolton was barely on the radar back then.

[@drpastry]

Assayud Whaddameant Michael was very much in the radar back then. He was a rock star before this and before he got really famous with the number ones he is actually known for now but if you had heard the songs he did like from his first album,there were 2 or 3 that did get radio play but nothing like the number ones he is known for. Seriously.

[@i_am_legend7827]

That damn Patti worked that stage like it owed her rent and it was past due! The Audience knew they were witnessing the greatest live duet of the century! Michael Bolton you have gone through the fire, toe to toe with the ultimate performer, singer THE VOICE and you came out as pure gold! That was an amazing performance Lord Have Mercy! When they separated and went to their corners they came back for BLOOD 🩸

[@mr.toiletepaper9692]

WHAT A FALCETO ON 3:06 M. BOLTON GOD !!!

[@zanthus7]

August 2021 and I'm still watching this performance and blown completely away by this. There are very few women that can keep up with Patti and the number of men are far less. Michael Bolton impressed everybody. This performance just gives me chills.

[@alesangelalbizu74]

1:17 - 1:20 Patti LaBelle LOVES when others can sanggg

[@joycewilliams7393]

Awesome duet. He was not conquered!

[@glendamiller9366]

This is epic!! The best duet I ever heard .wow two powerhouse singers.Michael Bolton and Patty 😲😲😲

[@rhondapaul2797]

This clip gives me life every time I watch it!!! That was everything!!! I still have goose bumps!!!!

[@michaelbolton534]

Thank you so much for your support

[@alita1821]

There is no one in this new generation that can even come close to the amount of true talent on this stage. True Legends🙌

[@SoulSir]

Patti & Micheal live!!! This incredible performance is one of the most electrifying collaborations ever assembled. Sheer perfection!!! Can I get a witness?

[@mariakonya3263]

You Michael bolton 👍 Best super heroes always fantastic wow god bless 🙏 you my love 💖💖💖💖💋💋💋💋

[@rachybaby72]

CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP!!! STANDING OVATION!!!

[@iancorley7681]

As a Norristown resident, 20 minutes Northeast of Philadelphia, I am so very very very proud to watch Patti LaBelle do her thing here and shine like the Superstar she is. She pumped Michael Bolton up during the course of this song to make him know that she got him, and if you just sing YOUR face off well, Miss Patti will too and the standing ovation is ours. Patti is unselfish. She WANTS other singers to get their applause and satisfaction. But don't ever get it wrong... Patti LaBelle has been in this business for a long long time and stars are made by their solo abilities FIRST!!! Basically what she was doing was giving him an opportunity to feel the joy of a standing ovation, but she was also saying boy you gotta earn it. She is an ABSOLUTE national treasure, and Michael Bolton earned his wings with her this night. It is well known that you cannot keep up with Patti LaBelle unless you come fully correct and committed to the event or she will overrun and outshine you in an embarrassing way. The woman MAKES careers of singers who dare to sing with her, which is why most singers choose not to. The woman is simply AWESOME!!

[@patgorden5002]

Ian Corley I love it! “YOU GET PATTI”

[@malcolmbrown-herrera7497]

The Queen inspires the best to come out

[@doneLjohnsonjr]

Few ppl know that Levi Stubbs was scheduled to perform this medley with Patti, but called in sick. Bolton was a last minute replacement. They had very little rehearsal time but DID THEY NOT SLAY???! If you watch carefully, he didn't really know the lyrics and was on the prompter most of the time. At the end, however, the spirit hit him & he just said "fuck these words!" and freestyled from there. Patti had his back & filled in lyrics. She recorded the song as a duet w/ Sarah Dash back in the day on Sarah's project, so she had the lyrics on lock. This was a truly ELECTRIC performance... you can feel the voltage even thru the video! Never gets old...

[@jermainereed9143]

Never knew this. RIP Levi, but he wouldn't of been able to ignite this the way Michael did.

[@skepchica]

@@jermainereed9143 Aye, but I'd have paid good money to see that duet! You're right tho, Levi even considered himself more of an entertainer vs being a singer, taking absolutely nothing away from him. Between Patti sliding down the scales with the most precise and incredible power I've ever seen, and that falsetto he hit- this performance was EPIC!

[@catherinegriffith7277]

He held it down with Patti not too many can do that!! Still love this performance!! I miss the good ole days

[@thechristianteen9167]

This looks like full power Michael and Mid Power Patti. Being able to keep up Patti at any power is an accomplishment. Patti be making people show their best.

[@Tadzio5050]

I remember when this was on TV and I watched it with a sick friend who really hated MB BUT after this he had to give him some new respect. I think the moment even made Patti Labelle stop and go, wait a minute. Fine TV viewing & a real showstopper.

[@jemelwilliams4521]

2:22 that resonances and projection👌 prefect

[@skepchica]

You can hear that note bounce off the ceiling. Patti's power don't make NO SENSE. 🙌🙌

[@poetxyz]

I remember seeing this when it originally aired and it remains one of the most memorable musical performances I've seen on tv. How nice to find it on KZbin. It still brings tears. What a moving and spontaneous standing ovation.

[@nicholetaimi5331]

It has been a hundred years since I first saw this in real-time. It still makes me smile. Michael Bolton got his stripes that night. The night Patti Labelle almost broke him. In fact, she did break him and made him better. Patti is a heavy hitter. One of the biggest hitters. Michael held his own...barely and came out stronger. I loved him before this, but... man the level of respect after hasn't fallen all of these years. Much respect. Patti, as usual, didn't disappoint. Love her. I will download this gem.

[@datboyb214]

How lucky you were to be in that audience, 1 take!!! Pure heart n soul sang from the pit of their stomachs. Crowd witnessed history!!! I can feel the energy thru the phone! MASTERCLASS!!!!

[@CHEETAH69]

When Patti walked over to the side of the stage and held that note, I literally got chills. Her talent is unreal and unparalleled.

[@lalagonegaga]

One is left to wonder how much did installing a new roof cost...

[@spyderj3756]

#truth

[@thechristianteen9167]

Who knows?

[@cvc1814]

facts.....

[@moosejaw2687]

Michael: Look Patti, I can sing too!

[@TheDaskell]

How lucky were those people to witness a duet such as that. Mighty….

[@verlinden80]

This gotta b one of Michale Bolton's most proudest moments! In ur face office space!

[@mahoganyslay5767]

Michael Bolton baby! Yassss❤❤️🔥🔥😍😍

[@BoozieFoodieSun]

Patti was cutting up. lol she said I might’ve not been Motown but don’t think I can’t slay their songs

[@Toppart]

Awesome performance. Michael was outstanding. Patty was Patty.

[@Mylapoole30]

OMG!!!! This duet...Michael Bolton with Miss Patti Labelle is unbelievable! What an amazing performance and what tight harmony the towof them have together.This is also once again proof that Micahel has just as much if not more soul in his voice that blows away every R & B and Motown Iconic Singer that's ever lived.

[@catherinegriffith7277]

Patti voice is one of a kind my God!!!

[@andrewcoleman6349]

He really showed what he was made of,he was better than some of his black counterparts, boy him and Michael MacDonald are so relaxed and real in their God giving talents,❤what a blessing

[@phinebrowngirl5467]

wowwww!! they tore the roof off!!

[@theovl316]

I remember seeing this live..best live duet performance ever!! Would love to see them make a tribute recording of Marvin and Tammy's hits!

[@jermainereed9143]

Their prime was incomparable

[@mps929]

one of the best parts of this AMAZING performance was that it was pulled to gether last minute Patti & Michael were asked to fill in 2 hours b/f the show b/c the original people scheduled were sick- don't remember the exacts but it was in the news how amazing they did and how quickly they were able to pull this together- just freaking amazing!

[@doneLjohnsonjr]

She was originally supposed to do it with Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops.

[@eddiethek]

To Hell with those folks who think this guy sings sappy elevator music. Dude can bring it: Check out his live version of Fool's Game from '83.

[@rannedwards]

Michael was new to the game, when they did this quick impromptu singing for the show. The joy of watching him survive the collaboration of singing with Patti on the stage was awesome then and still remains true today. What a remarkable pairing.

[@doneLjohnsonjr]

Few ppl know that Levi Stubbs was scheduled to perform this medley with Patti, but called in sick. Bolton was a last minute replacement. They had very little rehearsal time but DID THEY NOT SLAY???! If you watch carefully, he didn't really know the lyrics and was on the prompter most of the time. At the end, however, the spirit hit him & he just said "fuck these words!" and freestyled from there. Patti had his back & filled in lyrics. She recorded the song as a duet w/ Sarah Dash back in the day on Sarah's project, so she had the lyrics on lock. This was a truly ELECTRIC performance... *you can feel the voltage even thru the video*! Never gets old...

[@fatherf5550]

That note they hit at 2:45 in unison was everything.

[@thatguy9760]

RIGHT!!!! 😳 It’s not to many people that can hang with Patti on the Mic 🎙️. But Mike understood The Assignment and My God they killed it. 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@ANDREOFDALLAS]

Both was sanding that night!!!

[@moniquevalois1793]

Toute une performance de Patti Labelle et Michael Bolton, juste extraordinaire! Wow! ❤❤❤

[@ianravel5740]

You know you are the truth when the orchestra who played for you is clapping!!! Phenomenal performance!

[@bitokay147]

Someone study - this - needs to go viral again because this is crazy - literally people jumped out of their seats at the end . I watch this a few times a year. Experience is crazy. Her voice is crazzy! Bolton didnt disappoint he kept that same energy.

[@DonDiva4u03]

This was the days where the Award Ceremonies were so good because people sang for real! Thanks for the clip!

[@kaiasian]

oh man dat was crazy....every time i watch this its like dang micheal? singin like this....empressive! every1 knows how vocally strong patti is but micheal... like dis! dangg.....

[@KenTurnerSings]

ok...WHY DO I LOVE Patti's Movements at 3:31 So Much!! i guess it reminds me of the good ol days in church. She feels the spirit on Every Song she sings...thats why i Love PATTI LABELLE! She's Just Anointed by God To move us to tears with her voice!

[@freddiefelder7121]

I still get chills

[@michaelbolton534]

That's so amazing

[@mylapoole2790]

THIS IS MY FAVORITE LIVE MAN and WOMAN DUET PERFORMANCE ... OMG! TWO ICONIC ORIGINAL SINGERS/PERFORMERS LOVED BY THE ENTIRE WORLD... THEY HAD ONE REHEARSAL AND JUST WENT OVER THIS 3 SONG MEDLEY ONCE AND THEY DID IT THIS WELL JUST WINGIN IT... THAT'S WHAT YA CALL TRUE, ONE OF A KIND, BLOW YOUR MIND, AMAZING, TALENT!!!! PATTI HAS HER STYLE WHICH iI LOVE TO IMPERSONATE AND LOE TO JUST WATCH HER PERFORM LIVE ON STAGE. SHE IS SO VERY UNIQUE AND AMAZING IN HER OWN WAY NO ONE SOUNDS LIKE HER, AND MICHAEL HAS HIS BEAUTIFUL, SOULFUL, HEART GRIPPING VOICE THAT TAKES A HOLD OF YOU AND DOESN'T LET YOU GO, BUT HIS AMAZING VOCAL RANGE IS MIND BLOWING TO ALL PROFESSIONAL SINGERS. HE BAFFLED THE GREATEST MALE OPERA SINGER IN THE WORLD WHEN THE TWO OF THEM WERE ASKED TO SING TOGETHER AT ONE OF OUR GRAMMY AWARD SHOWS ONE YEAR. I LOVE WATCHING THIS LIVE VIDEO OF THEM BOTH. I JUST WISH THE AUDIO WAS MORE CLEAR AND LOUDER. BUT LOVE IT ANYWAY!!!!!!!!!!!

[@trymenot81]

This is what ecstatic love is when perfectly expressed. Watching these two go at it is uniquely fulfilling --when it is done so very rightly. 

[@Nidia-t6r]

Que lindo, pero q lindo, wuaoooooo sin palabras, lo mejor de lo mejor, 2 grandes. Michael te amo. Eternamente, te amo.

[@ricardovelasquez2083]

Just a trivia in 2004 during nobel peace prize presscon with tom cruise and oprah, Miss Patti wore that same red dress years years after. LEGEND.

[@rubenleite5428]

You know miss Patty enjoyed every second of it. When she hypes her partners up and they take the challenge and go off with her she just lives for it.

[@alesangelalbizu74]

Patti LaBelle is BAD ASS , my lord and MR.Bolton held it

[@bhayes06]

This is actually from the Motown 30 special that aired on CBS in 1990.

[@richch689]

Bolton's got SOUL

[@amandastandish5774]

Great combo...Michael Bolton and Patty Labell! Great 🎶 music.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@kaiart955]

I remember when they aired this. Gives you chills towards the end. Notice from halfway to the end of the last song ('You're All I Need), the audience applause is NON-STOP! Yes, they were in the zone!

[@sicilianbabe8]

Totally amazing....Yah Ashford and Simpson stuff...well done by both. Incredible. Damn Patti....you made Bolton a MAN in a little over 4 minutes. That hair!

[@michaelbolton534]

Thank you alot for your kindness

[@glenncreswell2357]

They killed that song.

[@computerblue8995]

MICHAEL BOLTOOOOOONNNNNNNN!!!

[@pattyc.4978]

I keep coming back to be reminded what bringing down the house looks like

[@truthfulpam]

The best performance I've ever seen in my life! Very strong indeed.

[@SoulSir]

I second your emotion, she's vintage wealth, style and grace.

[@heirsofthekingdom9810]

Two of the very best voices ever. Michael Bolton's voice.... my goodness

[@marimerlyn7348]

Dos voces únicas. Saludos desde Cuba

[@joelgarcia3907]

Never liked him but he goes in history as one of the few that can hang with Patti

[@Hiben13]

Michael , I really have no words to describe beautiful

[@rannedwards]

Patti made Michael a star this night. He was good and known, but after this performance with Labelle he was great and well-known.

[@jasonmcphatter1]

They sang this an both had to earn every inch thats singing blew the roof off the building

[@gunnyah]

Pre-diva shows, duet shows, tribute shows. Classic and professional and true skill in complimenting each others strength as singers, which is why everyone jumps up at the end. Imagine seeing this live. AWESOME!

[@nashshaffer6235]

I was there for this. I was also at the sound check and they blew the roof off then. FYI they are reading words to the songs off of a teleprompter

[@patgorden5002]

I could tell I been a Patti LaBelle fan many years I can tell when she's reading..lol Michael Bolton was a last-minute fill-in

[@ThatsJustMyBabyDaddy]

Michael was GLUED to that promoter.

[@sonyahogans1038]

Love this. Thank you Auntie Pat. Love you Michael Bolton.

[@michaelbolton534]

I do appreciate you

[@rhondapaul2797]

I still get goose bumps listening to them. That was freaking amazing.

[@falangja17]

PEOPLE I'M LOST FOR WORDS & CAN BARELY SWALLOW MY SPIT!!!! PATTI WAS WONDERFUL & MICHAEL WAS FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!! KUDOS!!!!!!!!

[@tammya.phillips5672]

Excellent duet.

[@michaelbolton534]

Thank you so much for support

[@Raphalou]

One of my favorite people singing together

[@user-fx3jw2qm1q]

This was Lit!

[@shannondavis7394]

Michael probably shocked himself this night. Patti had Michael going off on that stage. She was directing him to reach places he never had before and he showed out.

[@jordan84]

lol- she didn’t do anything. She didn’t direct Michael to do anything. You obviously don’t know his range and talent. He was able to go toe to toe with her with ease.

[@shannondavis7394]

@@jordan84 baby see when I said directed I was meaning go where she was going. If you knew anything he was a fill in last minute so yes she was directing. him. That was never to take anything from his capabilities because he did amazing with hanging in there with her. It wasn’t about his range or anything but he was going places I have never seen from him before and it was because it was with her. So watch your mouth next time

[@jordan84]

@@shannondavis7394 girl please, educate your mouth before you try to speak on something you obviously don’t know. You don’t know his catalog, you don’t know his range. What he did on that stage was by pure talent and he doesn’t need anyone to show him or direct him. No matter how much you want to take credit from him. So watch your mouth.

[@erwinyong3642]

THE QUEEN OF ROCK AND SOUL !

[@stillwill2215]

ALSO THE QUEEN OF RYTHMN AND BLUES.

[@cflo1023]

STILL GIVES ME GOOSEBUMPS! Come on Patti and Bolton.....

[@sandydee1126ify]

I remember watching this as a young child with my now deceased uncle. I miss him so much

[@quiddy]

Love the way michael Bolton kissed Patti La belle at the end.

[@skepchica]

Bui, he just got a standing ovations at the Apollo. This moment probably changed his whole career.

[@sharkeisha2225]

I find Michael soooo handsome