Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Black Music Month #16: Betty Davis

And no I am not talking about the actress...This Betty Davis preceded acts like Prince, Grace Jones, Madonna, Erykah Badu, Kelis, Rhianna, and Lady Gaga, but few know about her. Influenced by Jimi Hendrix and Sly and the Family Stone, this funk, rock and soul singer was definitely ahead of her time because of her open sexual attitude, so much so, that the music industry did not know what to do with her (let's face it, they still wouldn't know what to do with her). The former model, who was once married to Miles Davis (she was originally Betty Mabry), this spitfire (she is a leo like me) released three albums, Betty Davis, They Say I'm Different and Nasty Gal, in the 1970s and a fourth album, Is It Love or Desire, was released in 2009. She even had an influence on Miles and his album, Bitches Brew, starting the era of Jazz Fusion. Although, her career only lasted from 1970 to 1980, she had little commercial successes and she declared that she would never perform again (yes, she was that disgusted by the music industry), her style has remained with many. Now living a private life in Pittsburgh, I am wishing she would make a comeback.


Betty Davis-If I'm In Luck I Might Get Picked Up



Nasty Gal



They Say I'm Different



Anti-Love Song



F.U.N.K.



Don't Call Her No Tramp



Podcast Interview from The Sound of Young America (First Interview in 30 Years)

The Sound of Young America

Article on Betty Davis:

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