On May 11, 2020, Bessie Regina Norris, better known by her stage name Betty Wright, was an American Soul and R&B (Rhythm & blues) singer, songwriter and background vocalist passed away at the age of 66 in Miami, Florida, US (United States) due to cancer. She was born on December 21, 1953, in Miami, Florida, US.
Key Points:
i.About Betty Wright: She started singing as part of her siblings musical group called the ‘Echoes of Joy’, but she rose to fame in the 1970s. She was a member of the gospel ensemble which had led her to embrace R&B music.
ii.Wright signed with the label Deep City Records in 1966, a year later becoming a local hit with songs “Thank You Baby” and “Paralyzed”.
iii.First album: Her first album was ‘My First Time Around’ wasn’t released until 2 years later featuring the hit “Girls Can’t Do What the Guys Do.”
iv.Hit: The biggest hit of her career “Clean Up Woman”, which was certified gold barely days after her 18th birthday.
v.Award: Betty Wright at the age of 23, received her first Grammy Award for the Best Song, “Where is the Love?”.
vi.She also continued writing & producing music for 2 decades, her final hit “No Pain, (No Gain)” was released in 1988.Â
vii.Wright also collaborated with Miami superstar Gloria Estefan, for whom she arranged the harmonies on the 1991 track “Coming Out of the Dark”, as well as Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Clarkson, and Joss Stone.
viii.Vocal Coach: She served as the vocal coach of the girl group Danity Kane on “Making of the Band” (2006).
ix.With her collaboration with The Roots titled ‘Betty Wright: The Movie’, Wright again came under the spotlight in 2011. This was her first album in a decade and she scored a Grammy nod for the song “Surrender” from the album.
About US:
Capital– Washington, D.C.
President– Donald John Trump.
Currency– United States Dollar.
