Syreeta Wright facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Syreeta Wright
Wright in 1973
Background information
Also known as	Rita Wright
Born	(1946-02-28)February 28, 1946 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Origin	Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Died	July 6, 2004(2004-07-06) (aged 58) Los Angeles County, California, U.S.
Genres	R&B soul Detroit soul
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1967–2004
Labels	Motown
Associated acts	Dionne Warwick Stevie Wonder Common Billy Preston G. C. Cameron Jermaine Jackson Minnie Riperton Smokey Robinson Gladys Knight Diana Ross

Syreeta Wright (born February 28, 1946 – died July 6, 2004) was an American singer and songwriter. She was known professionally by her single name, Syreeta. Her most famous songs were created in the 1970s and early 1980s. Syreeta worked closely with her former husband, Stevie Wonder, and also with the musician Billy Preston.

Syreeta Wright's Life and Music Career

Early Life and Start in Music

Syreeta Wright was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1946. She started singing when she was only four years old. Her father served in the Korean War. Syreeta and her sister Kim were raised by their mother, Essie, and their grandmother.

Her family moved between Detroit and South Carolina. They finally settled in Detroit when Syreeta started high school. Money problems stopped her from becoming a ballet dancer. So, she decided to focus on a music career instead. She joined several singing groups.

In 1965, Syreeta got a job as a receptionist at Motown Records. A year later, she became a secretary for Mickey Stevenson.

First Steps as a Singer and Songwriter

In 1967, Edward Holland, a songwriter from the Holland–Dozier–Holland team, heard Syreeta sing. He decided to have her record demo songs for The Supremes. Her first solo song, "I Can't Give Back the Love I Feel for You," was released in 1968. It came out under the name Rita Wright.

Syreeta also sang background vocals for famous Motown songs. These included "Love Child" by The Supremes. She also sang on "Something On My Mind" for Diana Ross. When Diana Ross left The Supremes in 1970, Motown's boss, Berry Gordy, thought about having Syreeta join the group. However, Jean Terrell was chosen instead.

Syreeta met Stevie Wonder, another Motown artist, in 1968. They started dating the next year. Stevie Wonder encouraged Syreeta to become a songwriter. Their first song together was "It's a Shame" for The Spinners in 1969. This song became a hit, reaching number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Syreeta also sang background vocals for Stevie Wonder. She co-wrote his hit song "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)".

On September 14, 1970, Syreeta and Stevie Wonder got married in Detroit. They worked together on Wonder's album Where I'm Coming From. Their song "If You Really Love Me" was a big hit, reaching number 8 in the US. Syreeta also sang background vocals on this song. In 1971, the couple moved to New York City.

Syreeta's Solo Albums

While working with Stevie Wonder, Syreeta also wanted to focus on her own singing career. Motown Records moved her to their MoWest label. Syreeta and Stevie Wonder later divorced in 1972.

After their divorce, Stevie Wonder helped produce Syreeta's first solo album. It was called Syreeta and was released in June 1972. The album included her versions of Wonder's "I Love Every Little Thing About You" and Smokey Robinson's "What Love Has Joined Together". It also featured The Beatles' song "She's Leaving Home". Even after their divorce, Syreeta and Wonder remained good friends. She continued to sing background vocals and write songs with him for many years.

In 1974, Syreeta released her second album, Stevie Wonder Presents: Syreeta. Stevie Wonder produced this album. He wanted to show Syreeta as a soulful singer, similar to how he presented Minnie Riperton. The album had songs like "I'm Goin' Left" and "Spinnin' and Spinnin'". Her reggae-style song "Your Kiss Is Sweet" became a UK Top 40 hit, reaching number 12 in 1975. The album also included a duet with G. C. Cameron.

Her third album, One to One, was mostly produced by Leon Ware. This album featured the song "Harmour Love," which was later used in the 2005 movie Junebug. In 1977, she teamed up with G.C. Cameron again for the duet album, Rich Love, Poor Love.

Collaborations and Later Career

Syreeta met Billy Preston, another Motown artist, in 1979. Motown asked them to work together on a song for the movie Fast Break. Their first song, "With You I'm Born Again," became a huge international hit. It reached number four in the US and number two in the UK in late 1979. Because of this success, Motown renewed Syreeta's contract. Syreeta and Billy Preston continued to work together, releasing a duet album in 1981 called Billy Preston & Syreeta.

Syreeta also kept working with Stevie Wonder. She sang lead vocals on "Come Back as a Flower" for his 1979 album Journey through the Secret Life of Plants. She also sang with him on "As If You Read My Mind" from his 1980 album Hotter than July. She continued to provide background vocals for Wonder until his 1995 album Conversation Peace.

Syreeta released her second self-titled album in 1980. In 1981, she released Set My Love in Motion, which included the R&B hit "Quick Slick." She also sang the theme song for the Canadian horror movie Happy Birthday to Me. Her album The Spell was released in 1983 and produced by Jermaine Jackson.

Syreeta left Motown in 1985 after working with Smokey Robinson on the soundtrack for the movie The Last Dragon. She briefly recorded for Motorcity Records. In the mid-1990s, she stopped performing and settled in Los Angeles with her four children. From 1993 to 1995, she toured with the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, playing the role of Mary Magdalene. In 1997, she sang a duet called "Lullaby" on British soul singer Omar's album.

Syreeta's Family and Final Years

Syreeta Wright was married three times and had four children. Her first marriage was to Stevie Wonder. Later, in 1975, she married bassist Curtis Robertson Jr. They had two children, Jamal and Hodari. They divorced in 1982.

Syreeta lived in Ethiopia for a short time in the mid-1970s. There, she taught Transcendental Meditation. She later made her home in Los Angeles.

Syreeta was born a Baptist. After her third marriage, she converted to Islam. She had two more children, Harmoni and Takiyah.

Syreeta Wright passed away in 2004. She had congestive heart failure, which was a side effect of treatments she received for breast cancer and bone cancer. She was buried in Inglewood Park Cemetery.

Syreeta's Music Albums

Studio Albums

• Syreeta (1972)
• Stevie Wonder Presents: Syreeta (1974)
• One to One (1977)
• Rich Love, Poor Love with G.C. Cameron (1977)
• Fast Break with Billy Preston (1979)
• Syreeta (1980)
• Set My Love in Motion (1981)
• Billy Preston & Syreeta (1981)
• The Spell (1983)
• With You I'm Born Again (Japan only) (1990)

Singles

Other Appearances

With Gary Bartz

• Ju Ju Man (Catalyst Records, 1976)

With Donald Byrd

• Thank You...For F.U.M.L. (Funking Up My Life) (Elektra, 1978)

See also

In Spanish: Syreeta Wright para niños