Betty Davis, a soul and funk singer of the 1960s whose growling, raspy vocal style and unapologetically explicit lyrics would influence future performers from Prince and Erykah Badu to Outkast, died today of natural causes at her home in Homestead, Pennsylvania.
She was 77.Her death was announced by lifelong friend Connie Portis, who said in a statement, “It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of Betty Davis, a multi-talented music influencer and pioneer rock star, singer, songwriter, and fashion icon.
Most of all, Betty was a friend, aunt, niece, and beloved member of her community of Homestead, Pennsylvania, and of the worldwide community of friends and fans.”Born Betty Mabry, the North Carolina native moved to New York City at 16 to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Modeling for such magazines as Glamour and Seventeen, she was drawn to the burgeoning music scene of Greenwich Village, soon meeting the likes of Jimi Hendrix, the Chambers Brothers, Sly Stone, Lou Courtney, Hugh Masekela and, in 1968, jazz great Miles Davis, who would become both a musical collaborator and, briefly, her husband.
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