Bettye LaVette facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bettye LaVette
LaVette at Cosmopolite Scene in Oslo in 2016
Background information
Birth name	Betty Jo Haskins
Born	(1946-01-29) January 29, 1946 (age 79) Muskegon, Michigan, United States
Genres	Soul, Blues, R&B, Funk, Rock, Country, Americana, Gospel
Occupation(s)	Singer, entertainer
Years active	1962–present
Labels	Atlantic, Calla, Silver Fox, Atco, Motown, Epic, Charly, Munich, Blues Express, ANTI-, Verve

Bettye LaVette (born Betty Jo Haskins, January 29, 1946) is an American soul singer. She recorded her first song when she was just sixteen years old. While she had some success early on, she became widely famous later in her career.

In 2005, her album I've Got My Own Hell to Raise received great reviews. Many music critics called it one of the best albums of that year. Her next album, The Scene of the Crime, topped the Billboard Top Blues Albums chart. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award in 2008. Bettye LaVette's music mixes different styles. These include soul, blues, rock and roll, funk, gospel, and country music. In 2020, she was honored by being added to the Blues Hall of Fame. She also received a special award in 2023 for her long career in Americana music.

Life and Music Journey

Early Life and First Songs

Bettye LaVette was born in Muskegon, Michigan. She grew up in Detroit. Unlike many singers of her time, she did not start singing in church. Instead, she sang R&B and country music in her parents' living room. She was raised as a Catholic.

When she was sixteen, a local producer named Johnnie Mae Matthews signed her. In 1962, Bettye recorded her first single, "My Man – He's a Lovin' Man." This song became a big R&B hit. It led to Bettye touring with famous Atlantic Records artists. These included Clyde McPhatter and Otis Redding.

Finding Her Sound

After a few more songs, Bettye returned to the R&B charts in 1965. Her song "Let Me Down Easy" became a success. This allowed her to tour briefly with the famous James Brown Revue. She recorded more songs for different labels in Detroit. In 1969, she signed with Silver Fox. Here, she had two more Top 40 R&B hits: "He Made A Woman Out Of Me" and "Do Your Duty."

In 1972, she signed with Atlantic/Atco again. She went to Muscle Shoals Sound Studio to record her first album. It was called Child of the Seventies. However, the label decided not to release it at that time.

Broadway and Comeback

In the mid-1970s, Bettye released a disco hit called "Doin' The Best That I Can." In 1982, her hometown label, Motown, signed her. She recorded her first album that was actually released, called Tell Me A Lie. The first song from it, "Right In The Middle (Of Falling In Love)," became an R&B Top 40 hit.

Bettye then took a break from recording music. She spent six years performing in the Broadway show Bubbling Brown Sugar. She performed alongside famous artists like Cab Calloway.

Years later, a French music collector found the recordings for her unreleased 1973 album. In 2000, it was finally released as Souvenirs. This sparked new interest in Bettye's music. In 2003, she released A Woman Like Me. This album won a Blues Music Award in 2004. Bettye said this album started the second part of her career.

LaVette performing in Leuven, Belgium, in 2006

Later Success and Recognition

In 2005, Bettye signed a new record deal. She released I've Got My Own Hell to Raise. This album featured songs written by famous women artists like Fiona Apple and Dolly Parton. It was praised by many critics. In 2006, her unreleased album Child of the Seventies was finally reissued.

Bettye received a "Pioneer Award" from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 2006. Her 2007 album, The Scene of the Crime, was recorded with the band Drive-By Truckers. It was nominated for a Grammy Award. In 2008, she won a Blues Music Award for "Best Contemporary Female Blues Singer."

LaVette, live at Massey Hall in Toronto

In December 2008, Bettye gave a memorable performance at the Kennedy Center Honors. She sang "Love, Reign o'er Me" to honor The Who. On January 18, 2009, she performed a duet with Jon Bon Jovi. They sang Sam Cooke's song "A Change Is Gonna Come" at the We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial.

In 2010, Bettye released Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook. On this album, she sang classic songs by British bands. These included The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. This album was also nominated for a Grammy Award. She has appeared on many TV shows and radio programs.

Bettye's album Worthy was nominated for a Grammy in 2016. In 2016, she won another Blues Music Award. In 2017, she performed at a concert honoring Aretha Franklin. She also appeared in the documentary film The American Epic Sessions. For the film, she recorded a song using old 1920s recording equipment.

In 2018, Bettye LaVette was added to the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame. Her 2018 album, Things Have Changed, featured songs by Bob Dylan. It was nominated for two Grammy Awards. In 2020, she won another Blues Music Award. She was also inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. Her 2020 album, Blackbirds, was nominated for a Grammy too. In 2021, she won the Blues Music Award again. In 2022, her vocals from "Let Me Down Easy" were used in Odesza's song, "The Last Goodbye."

Personal Life

Bettye LaVette is married to Kevin Kiley. He is a music and antiques dealer, and also a singer. They live in West Orange, New Jersey.

Albums

See also

In Spanish: Bettye LaVette para niños