Editing Labelle (section)

===Breakup===
Despite critical acclaim for their follow-ups to the ''Nightbirds'' album, ''Phoenix'' and ''Chameleon'' failed to repeat the success of ''Nightbirds'' as the group struggled to have another hit.<ref name="LarkinSM"/> By 1976, tensions had developed within the group, with the act's three members splintered on its sound and direction.<ref name="LarkinSM"/> Patti LaBelle had wanted the group to record more soul, Nona Hendryx wanted the group to go further into funk rock, and Sarah Dash wanted to record songs in a more disco direction.

During a show in [[Baltimore, Maryland|Baltimore]] on December 3, 1976, Hendryx wandered off the stage and into the audience at the beginning of "(Can I Speak To You Before You Go To) Hollywood". Labelle's stage manager was able to steer Hendryx backstage, but Hendryx locked herself in her dressing room and beat her head against the wall until it began to bleed severely. She was removed from the theater in restraints.<ref>LaBelle, Patti; Lancaster, Laura Randolph. ''Don't Block the Blessings: Revelations of a Lifetime'' (Kindle Location 2529). New York : Riverhead Books. Kindle Edition.</ref>

After the incident, LaBelle advised the group to disband, fearing for the other members' well-being and that the mounting tension could also put an end to their friendship. Hendryx and Dash agreed and the trio formally announced their split at the end of 1976 after fourteen years together.<ref name="LarkinSM">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1993|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-733-9|page=155}}</ref>