Celebrate Black History 2021 - Betty Davis

by Dick Mac

Betty Davis (nee Mabry) is an American funk singer whose gritty and glamorous style made her popular among fellow musicians, but not record company and radio executives. She worked as a songwriter and a model, but it was her amazing live performances that put her on the map and created her cult following.

In 1968, she married Miles Davis and introduced him to the music of Jimi Hendrix and other up-and-coming musicians, causing a shift in Miles' musical approach and influenced his remarkable 1970 release "Bitches' Brew."

Her three self-produced LPs for Island Records in the 1970s are supersonic funk creations loaded with feminism and sexual aggression. Her openness likely prevented radio play, even though white artists of the era were starting to sing about sex. None of her LPs enjoyed chart success and she vanished from sight for decades.

Hers is a story that highlights the history of black women being treated very poorly in every industry. The story of Betty Davis is why celebrating Black History Month is so important.

I recommend the LP "Nasty Gal." Betty Davis was the first true Queen of Funk.

See this video: https://youtu.be/EtInpDRchM0

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Davis

#blackhistorymonth #BlackLivesMatter #WorkForChange