Betty Davis facts for kids

Betty Davis (born Betty Gray Mabry; July 26, 1944 – February 9, 2022) was an American singer, songwriter, and model. She was known for her unique and exciting funk music. Many people described her as a powerful performer. She combined the strong feelings of Tina Turner with the cool style of David Bowie. She also had the trend-setting ideas of Miles Davis, whom she married.

Early Life and Musical Start

Betty Gray Mabry was born in Durham, North Carolina, on July 26, 1944. She became interested in music around age ten. Her grandmother, Beulah Blackwell, introduced her to many blues musicians. This happened while Betty stayed at her grandmother's farm in Reidsville. At 12, she wrote one of her first songs. It was called "I'm Going to Bake That Cake of Love."

Her family moved to Homestead, Pennsylvania. Her father, Henry Mabry, worked at a steel mill there. Betty graduated from Homestead High School. She decided to work in show business after seeing her father dance like Elvis Presley.

Career in Music and Fashion

When Betty was 16, she moved to New York City. She studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). She lived with her aunt and explored the exciting culture of Greenwich Village. She loved the folk music scene of the early 1960s.

Betty spent time at a cool club called the Cellar. It was a place where young, stylish people gathered. This group included models, design students, actors, and singers. At the Cellar, Betty played records and talked with people. She became a friend and early inspiration for fashion designer Stephen Burrows. He also studied at FIT. Betty also worked as a model. Her photos appeared in magazines like Seventeen, Ebony, and Glamour. She found modeling boring because it didn't challenge her mind.

In New York, she met famous musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone. Her music career began through her friendship with soul singer Lou Courtney. She recorded her first single, "Get Ready For Betty," in 1964. She also recorded "I'll Be There" with Roy Arlington.

Her first professional music success came when she wrote "Uptown (to Harlem)." This song was for the Chambers Brothers. Their 1967 album was very popular.

Influence on Miles Davis

In 1968, Betty recorded several songs for Columbia Records. She later met and married jazz musician Miles Davis. Their marriage lasted about a year. During this time, Betty introduced Miles to new fashion styles and popular music. She showed him psychedelic rock and the music of Sly Stone. Miles Davis' album Filles de Kilimanjaro (1968) features Betty on its cover. It also includes a song named after her, "Mademoiselle Mabry."

After her marriage to Miles ended, Betty moved to London around 1971. She continued her modeling career there. She also wrote new music. After about a year, she returned to the U.S. She wanted to record her songs.

Releasing Her Own Albums

Betty recorded her own music with talented funk musicians. These included Larry Graham, Greg Errico, the Pointer Sisters, and members of Tower of Power. Betty wrote and arranged all her songs. Her first album, Betty Davis, came out in 1973.

She released two more studio albums: They Say I'm Different (1974) and Nasty Gal (1975). None of these albums became huge commercial hits. However, she had two smaller hits on the R&B chart. "If I'm in Luck I Might Get Picked Up" reached number 66 in 1973. "Shut Off the Lights" reached number 97 in 1975.

Betty Davis became a cult favorite as a singer. She was popular in Europe. But in the U.S., she faced challenges. She was not allowed to perform on television. Some of her shows were boycotted. Her songs were not played on the radio due to pressure from some groups.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1976, Betty finished another album for Island Records. This album was not released for 33 years. She then spent a year in Japan.

In 1980, Betty's father passed away. She returned to the U.S. to live with her mother in Homestead, Pennsylvania. Betty found it hard after her father's death. She accepted that her music career had ended and lived a quiet life.

Recordings from Betty's last sessions in 1979 were later released. These included Crashin' from Passion (1995) and Hangin' Out in Hollywood (1996). A greatest hits album, Anti Love: The Best of Betty Davis, also came out in 1995.

In 2007, her albums Betty Davis (1973) and They Say I'm Different (1974) were re-released. In 2009, Nasty Gal and her unreleased fourth album, Is It Love or Desire?, were also re-released. These reissues helped people learn more about her music.

In 2017, a documentary called Betty: They Say I'm Different was released. This film renewed interest in her life and music. In 2019, Betty released "A Little Bit Hot Tonight." This was her first new song in over 40 years. It was sung by Danielle Maggio, a friend and associate producer of the documentary.

Betty Davis passed away from cancer at her home in Homestead, Pennsylvania, on February 9, 2022. She was 77 years old.

Her music has been featured in TV shows. These include Orange Is the New Black, Girlboss, and High Fidelity.

Discography

Studio Albums

Singles

Compilation

Unofficial Releases

• Crashin' from Passion (1995) (Razor & Tie) / Hangin' Out in Hollywood (1995) (Charly Records) – Collection of songs recorded in 1979
• Anti Love: The Best of Betty Davis (2001) (MPC limited) – Collection of her best songs
• This Is It! Anthology (2005) (Vampisoul) – Another collection of her songs

See also

In Spanish: Betty Davis para niños