Betty Wright
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
"In 1967, Betty Wright was responsible for discovering other local talents such as George and Gwen McCrae, helping them sign with the Alston Records label TK Records, part of Henry Stone's recording and distribution company. 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."--Sholem Stein |
Related e |
Featured: ![]() Kunstformen der Natur (1904) by Ernst Haeckel |
Bessie Regina Norris (December 21, 1953 – May 10, 2020), better known by her stage name Betty Wright was an American singer songwriter active in soul and R&B. She rose to fame in the 1970s with hits such as "Clean Up Woman" (1971) , "Shoorah! Shoorah!" (1974) and "Tonight Is the Night" (1974).
Born in Miami, she was married to King Sporty and was part of the Henry Stone, TK Records and Peter Brown circle. She was the vocalist for the latter's "Dance with Me" (1978) single.
Contents |
Discography
Albums
Source:
- My First Time Around (1968) Atco SD-33-260
- I Love The Way You Love (1972)
- Hard To Stop (1973)
- Danger High Voltage (1974)
- Explosion! (1976)
- This Time For Real (1977)
- Live (1978) (#63 Can.)
- Travelin' In The Wright Circle (1979)
- Betty Wright (1981)
- Wright Back At You (1983)
- Sevens (1986)
- Mother Wit (1988)
- 4u2njoy (1989)
- Passion & ComPassion (1990)
- All The Way Live (1992)
- B-Attitudes (1994)
- The Very Best Of Betty Wright (2000) Rhino Records: 8122-79861-2
- Fit for A King (2001)
- Betty Wright: The Movie - with the Roots (2011) (US:#197); (US R&B:#27)
- Living...Love...Lies (2014)
Singles
Source:
As lead artist
- 1966: "Thank You Baby"
- 1966: "Paralyzed"
- 1968: "Girls Can't Do What the Guys Do" (#33 U.S., #15 R&B, #46 Can.)
- 1970: "Pure Love" (#40 R&B)
- 1971: "Clean Up Woman" (#6 U.S., #2 R&B, gold US, #39 Can.)
- 1972: "Baby Sitter" (#46 U.S., #6 R&B)
- 1972: "Is It You, Girl?" (#18 R&B)
- 1972: "I'm Gettin' Tired Baby" (#42 R&B)
- 1973: "It's Hard to Stop (Doing Something When It's Good to You)" (#72 U.S., #11 R&B)
- 1973: "Let Me Be Your Lovemaker" (#55 U.S., #10 R&B)
- 1973: "It's Bad for Me to See You" (#66 R&B)
- 1974: "Secretary" (#62 U.S., #12 R&B)
- 1974: "Shoorah! Shoorah!" (#28 R&B, #27 UK) 81 Can.)
- 1975: "Tonight Is the Night" (#28 R&B)
- 1976: "Slip and Do It" (#21 R&B)
- 1976: "If I Ever Do Wrong" (#23 R&B)
- 1977: "Life" (#64 R&B)
- 1977: "You Can't See for Lookin'" (#73 R&B)
- 1978: "Dance with Me" (with Peter Brown) (#4 Disco, #5 R&B, #8 pop)
- 1978: "Tonight Is the Night, Pts. 1 & 2 (live)" (#11 R&B)
- 1979: "Lovin' is Really My Game" (#68 R&B)
- 1979: "My Love Is" (#48 R&B)
- 1981: "What Are You Gonna Do With It?" (#42 R&B, #61 Dance)
- 1981: "Goodbye You Hello Him" (#65 R&B)
- 1983: "She's Older Now" (#22 R&B)
- 1986: "Pain" (#42 UK)
- 1988: "No Pain, No Gain" (#14 R&B)
- 1988: "After the Pain" (#57 R&B)
- 1989: "From Pain to Joy" (#39 R&B)
- 1989: "Quiet Storm" (#88 R&B)
- 1989: "Keep Love New" (#71 R&B; #71 UK)
- 1990: "How 'Bout Us" (with Grayson Hugh) (#30 R&B, #67 pop, #15 adult contemporary)
- 1994: "For Love Alone" (#98 R&B)
- 2007: "Baby" (with Angie Stone) (#22 R&B, #3 Dance)
- 2011: "Grapes on the vine" (with Lil Wayne and the Roots)
- 2013: "Mama" (with Ace Hood)
- 2014: "Save Us" with Ace Hood
As featured artist
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
---|---|---|---|---|
US | US R&B | |||
"Holy Key" (DJ Khaled featuring Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean and Betty Wright) | 2016 | 84 | 29 | Major Key |
As a studio background vocalist
Source:
- Benjamin Latimore - Latimore (1973) - her debut as a background singer
- Bill Wyman - Monkey Grip (1974)
- Gwen McCrae - Gwen McCrae (1974)
- Timmy Thomas - You're the Song I've Always Wanted To Sing (1974)
- Johnny Nash - Tears on My Pillow (1975)
- Milton Wright - Friends And Buddies (1975)
- Stephen Stills - Stills (1975)
- Timmy Thomas - Touch to Touch (1977)
- King Sporty - Mr. Rhythm (1977)
- Peter Brown (singer) - A Fantasy Love Affair (1978)
- Philip & Lloyd - You've Got to Keep on Moving (1978)
- Latimore - Goodbye Heartache (1979) - released as a 12" single
- Gwen McCrae - Melody of Life (1979)
- Beverly Johnson - Don't Lose the Feeling (1979)
- Regina James - Alfie / Dancin' in the Flames of Love (1979) - released as a promo 12" single
- Stevie Wonder - Hotter Than July (1980)
- Rachel Sweet - And Then He Kissed Me (1981)
- Richard "Dimples" Fields - Dimples (1981)
- Peter Tosh - Mama Africa (1983)
- K.C. - KC Ten (1983)
- Native - New World (1984)
- Timmy Thomas - Gotta Give a Little Love (Ten Years After) (1984)
- Sonny Okosun - Which Way Nigeria? (1984)
- Philip Michael Thomas - Living the Book of My Life (1985)
- Donna Allen - Perfect Timing (1986)
- Eddie Lovette - Rockers for Lovers Vol. II (1986)
- Margaret Reynolds - Call Me Sometime (1986) - released as a 12" single
- Gloria Estefan & The Miami Sound Machine - Let It Loose (1987)
- Nicole McCloud - Jam Packed (1988)
- Bigga - Earth People (1988)
- Gloria Estefan & The Miami Sound Machine - Anything for You (1988)
- Colin James - Colin James (album) (1988)
- Jimmy Cliff - Images (album) (1989)
- Tomi Jenkins - Tomi (1989)
- Nicole McCloud - Rock the House (1989)
- Angee Griffin - Gentle (1989)
- Clarence Clemons - A Night with Mr. C (1989)
- Gloria Estefan - Cuts Both Ways (1989)
- Pluto Shervington - Rhythm of the City (1990)
- Anthony Watson - 9 Days of Love (1991)
- Phyllis Hyman - Prime of My Life (1991)
- Chris Walker - First Time (1991)
- Gloria Estefan - Into the Light (1989)
- Shana Petrone - Turned Up on You (1992) - released as a 12" single
- Charles Christopher - Think About It (1992)
- Gerald Alston - Always in the Mood (1992)
- Regina Belle - Passion (1993)
- Jon Secada - Heart, Soul & a Voice (1994)
- José Luis Rodríguez El Puma - Razones Para Una Sonrisa (1994)
- Ophélie Winter – No Soucy ! (1996)
- Darrell Brown – Money Makes It Happen (1997) - released as a 12" single
- Cristian Castro – Lo Mejor De Mi (1997)
- David Byrne - Feelings (1997)
- Billie Myers – Growing, Pains (1997)
- Billie Myers – "Tell Me" (1997) - released as a CD promo single
- Gloria Estefan – Gloria! (1998)
- Bob Marley – Chant Down Babylon (1999)
- Jennifer Lopez – On the 6 (1999)
- Erykah Badu – Mama's Gun (2000)
- Cleptomaniacs featuring Bryan Chambers – All I Do (2001)
- Various – American Idol Greatest Moments (2001)
- Joss Stone – The Soul Sessions (2003)
- Joss Stone – Mind Body & Soul (2004)
- Angie Stone – Stone Love (2004)
- Ruby Baker – Love Is Worth It All (2004)
- Peter Gallagher – 7 Days in Memphis (2005)
- Nas & Damian Marley – Distant Relatives (2010)
- Paloma Faith – A Perfect Contradiction 2014
- Nicole McCloud – Red Apples (2015)
- Elise Legrow – Playing Chess (2018)