Bettye LaVette
Bettye LaVette is an American soul singersongwriter who made her first record at sixteen, but achieved only intermittent fame until 2005, with her album Ive Got My Own Hell to Raise. Her eclectic musical style combines elements of soul, blues, rock and roll, funk, gospel, and country music.
LaVette was born in Muskegon, Michigan, and raised in Detroit. Unlike many of her contemporaries, she did not begin singing in the church, but in her parents living room, singing RampB and country and western music. She was signed by Johnnie Mae Matthews, a local record producer. In 1962, aged sixteen, she recorded a single, My ManHes a Lovin Man, with Matthews, which became a Top Ten RampB hit after Atlantic Records bought distribution rights. This led to a tour with rhythm and blues musicians Clyde McPhatter, Ben E. King, Barbara Lynn, and thennewcomer Otis Redding. She next hit the charts with Let Me Down Easy on Calla Records in 1965. This led to a brief stint with The James Brown Revue. After recording several 45rpm singles for local Detroit labels, in 1969 LaVette signed to the Silver Fox label. She cut a handful of tracks, including two TopRampB hits He Made A Woman Out Of Me and Do Your Duty. The Memphis studio musicians on these recordings have since become known as The Di
Source: Wikipedia