One of the most dazzling voices in soul music, Betty Wright has sadly passed away on May 10th at the young age of sixty-six. She died in her home in Miami from complications of cancer. The singer, born Bessie Regina Norris, was also an acclaimed songwriter (winning her only Grammy out of six nomination in 1974 for Best R&B Song for co-writing, "Where Is The Love"), producer and worked with virtually everyone in all genres of music as a background vocalist. Wright would help nurture new musical talent including George and Gwen McCrae, Peter Brown and Joss Stone.
Music had always been a passion for Wright since she was a child as she became a part of her family's gospel group, Echoes of Joy. She performed and recorded with them until she was eleven years old. She then decided to move in to secular music and after being discovered at a Miami talent show, Wright signed to her first label, Deep City Records at the age of twelve in 1966. By the age of 15, she released her first solo album, "My First Time Around" and had her first top twenty r&b song and Top 40 on the pop charts with "Girls Can’t Do What the Guys Do".
In 1971, Wright would have her biggest commercial hit with "Clean Up Woman" that reached number two on the r&b chart, number six on the US pop chart and sold over a million copies. While she never had another major hit again, Wright would continue to record and tour throughout the rest of the 1970's and '80's. She started her own record label, Miss B Records in 1985 and would spend time writing and arranging music for other artists like Gloria Estefan, Tom Jones and Jennifer Lopez. Wright was asked to appear as a vocal coach on on the reality television series, "Making the Band" in 2006 and teamed-up with the Roots for her last studio album, "Betty Wright: The Movie" in 2011. Here is a small sample of music featuring the amazing voice of Betty Wright:
In 1971, Wright would have her biggest commercial hit with "Clean Up Woman" that reached number two on the r&b chart, number six on the US pop chart and sold over a million copies. While she never had another major hit again, Wright would continue to record and tour throughout the rest of the 1970's and '80's. She started her own record label, Miss B Records in 1985 and would spend time writing and arranging music for other artists like Gloria Estefan, Tom Jones and Jennifer Lopez. Wright was asked to appear as a vocal coach on on the reality television series, "Making the Band" in 2006 and teamed-up with the Roots for her last studio album, "Betty Wright: The Movie" in 2011. Here is a small sample of music featuring the amazing voice of Betty Wright:
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