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Betty Wright, the R&B and soul singer known for classics like “Clean Up Woman” and “Tonight is the Night,” has died at 66 years elderly.
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Her family confirmed the news to Essence on Sunday. The cause of death has not yet been revealed, though Chaka Khan put out a call on Twitter earlier in the week asking for people to pray for the singer and songwriter, who inspired generations of listeners and artists.
Wright—who won a Grammy in 1974 for “Where is the Love?”—was known for songs that told stories of black love and womanhood.
From Essence:
Throughout the overdue 70s and early 80s, the singer-songwriter would continue releasing music and her 1988 hit “No Pain, (No Gain)” would be Wright’s last significant song on the charts in a career spanning five decades. But this did not stop Wright, who would continue performing, writing and producing, as well as being an busy member of The Recording Academy.
A newer generation knew her from the Making the Band reality series, where she appeared as a vocal coach. In 2011, she partnered with The Roots for Betty Wright: The Movie.
This weekend has been tragically punctuated by the loss of stalwarts in black music, including rock ‘n’ roll architect Little Richard and veteran music executive Andre Harrell.
