Bessie Regina Norris (December 21, 1953 â€" May 10, 2020), better
known by her stage name Betty Wright, was an American soul and R&B
singer, songwriter and background vocalist. Beginning her professional
career in the lateâ€"1960s as a teenager, Wright rose to fame in the
1970s with hits such as "Clean Up Woman" and "Tonight Is the Night".
Wright was also prominent in her use of whistle register.Born in
Miami, Florida, as Bessie Regina Norris on December 21, 1953, Wright
was the youngest of seven children of Rosa Akins Braddy-Wright and her
second husband, McArthur Norris. Wright began her professional career
at the age of two when her siblings formed the Echoes of Joy, a gospel
group. Wright 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, when she
was 12. She released the singles "Thank You Baby" and "Paralyzed",
which found Wright local fame in Miami. In 1967, the teen 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.
known by her stage name Betty Wright, was an American soul and R&B
singer, songwriter and background vocalist. Beginning her professional
career in the lateâ€"1960s as a teenager, Wright rose to fame in the
1970s with hits such as "Clean Up Woman" and "Tonight Is the Night".
Wright was also prominent in her use of whistle register.Born in
Miami, Florida, as Bessie Regina Norris on December 21, 1953, Wright
was the youngest of seven children of Rosa Akins Braddy-Wright and her
second husband, McArthur Norris. Wright began her professional career
at the age of two when her siblings formed the Echoes of Joy, a gospel
group. Wright 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, when she
was 12. She released the singles "Thank You Baby" and "Paralyzed",
which found Wright local fame in Miami. In 1967, the teen 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.
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