Long before Rihanna was crowned Esquire magazine’s sexiest woman alive, singer-songwriter Sarah Dash of the legendary soul group, Labelle, was the reigning femme fatale. Flanked by fellow members, Patti Labelle and Nona Hendryx, Dash often stood in the middle as a sex symbol in revealing and flamboyant costumes that complemented the group’s funky space-age theme. On Oct. 13, Dash stood solo at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in New York for the debut of her cabaret act, Sarah Dash: One Woman. Gone were the sartorially seductive outfits and in their place was a regal and humble woman who performed songs from her nearly 50-year career, including her new album, The Seventh Child to an enthused gathering of fans. Rolling out spoke with Dash about her thoughts on today’s sexy crop of young women and more.
What inspired you to put together this show at this stage in your career?
I’m the member of Labelle nobody knows and I have a story to tell. Being a solo artist gives you the freedom to express who you are with the gift God gave me. I’m at an age now where I don’t care what anybody thinks about it so I’m just going for it.
You were one of the original sex symbols of soul music. What are your thoughts on today’s female sex symbols?
If you’re going to show it all don’t shake it all. A woman is more sexy standing like that and having people wonder how is she gonna get down. There are people and some children mind you, who find that shaking and stuff appealing but I think it’s wearing thin now. People want more substance as they mature.
There is a dearth of girl groups. Why do you think it is so hard for a group to sustain themselves now?
Women are smarter now; they don’t want to invest into a group when they know one ego will pull away from the others. What we need to understand about girl groups is they only last for a little while. They’re good only if it develops into a situation where each member can go out and do solo work. They each may not have the same level of success but that depends on what you call success. Success for me now is being mature, grounded and doing what I want to do.
Please visit here for tickets to Sarah Dash: One Woman.
