Artist:Betty Wright
Song:Clean Up Woman
Album:The Very Best Of Betty Wright
The 1972 hit Clean Up Woman was Betty Wright's only top ten pop hit. But she's been a big part of the Miami music scene for many years and continues to be an influence and mentor to young singers. She was born Dec. 21, 1953 in Miami and grew up singing in the family gospel group Echoes Of Joy. As a teen, she began a long association with Henry Stone's Alston label. Not only did she record her debut album at age 15 but she brought singers like George & Gwen McCrae to Alston. Betty had her first top 15 R & B hit in 1968 with Girls Can't Do What Guys Can Do but she cracked the top ten pop singles chart with Clean Up Woman. The song was written by veteran songwriter Clarence Reid and partner Willie Clarke and has a great guitar riff by Little Beaver Hale. Betty worked frequently with Reid. Alston had a distribution deal with Atlantic but when he learned that they were selling out to Warner Bros., Alston started TK Records and they were very successful in the 70s including several club hits for Betty Wright. When her recording career slowed down in the 80s, she started her own label and contributed background vocals to many artists. This Rhino comp covers her entire career. Betty Wright is still respected today. Sean Combs hired her to be vocal coach on the TV series Making The Band and she mentors young singers like Joss Stone. Here's Betty Wright performing Clean Up Woman on the Afterdark TV show.
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