Betty Wright

I promise God must be putting together his own band or something up there. Three musical icons passes away within hours of each other. Andre Harrell, Little Richard and now one of my all time favorites Ms. Betty Wright.

The 70,s introduced us to the "Clean Up Woman", heartaches from relationships introduced us to "No Pain , No Gain" and "After The Pain" brought it all full circle ...at least for me that is, as I tried to figure out how I could still love someone that could hurt me. Although these songs weren't the gist of her music catalog, these were my personal favorites. Ms. Betty sung a lot about forgiveness and love... Although I had questions for her and looked forward to one day getting answers ... she's now gone!

Weeks after watching unsung and learning that she had some new projects in the works , I became excited , now my heart melts to hear the news that she was battling cancer and lost the fight.

Ms. Betty being the youngest of seven children began her professional career at the age of two when her siblings formed the Echoes of Joy, a gospel group. She contributed to vocals on the group's first album, released in 1956. Wright and her siblings performed together until 1965, when she was 11 years old. Following the group's break-up, Wright, who was already using the name Betty Wright, decided to switch musical styles from gospel to rhythm and blues, singing in local talent shows until she was spotted by a Miami record label owner, who signed her to her first label (Deep City Records) in 1966, at 12. She released the singles "Thank You Baby" and "Paralyzed", which found Wright local fame in Miami.

Her first album, My First Time Around, was released when she was age 14. Her first hit single was "Girls Can't Do What the Guys Do". In 1970, while still in high school, she released "Pure Love" at the age of 16.

About a year later, Wright released her signature song "Clean Up Woman", written by Clarence Reid and Willie Clarke and recorded when she was 17. The record reached number two on the R&B charts, where it stayed for eight weeks. It crossed over to the pop charts, peaking at number six and staying on the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks.

Betty Wright won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song award for composing "Where Is the Love" at the 18th Annual Grammy Awards in 1976 she also made history as the first black female artist to score a gold album on her own label, when her 1987 album, Mother Wit achieved that certification.

Betty Wright age 66 was the mother of 5 (one deceased) and two grandchildren, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.