Betty Wright, Legendary Soul Singer, Dead at 66

Soul legend Betty Wright has died, aged 66.

Legendary soul and R&B singerBetty Wright, known for classics such as "Tonight Is the Night," “No Pain, (No Gain)" and "Clean Up Woman," has died. She was 66.

I first met Betty Wright, who passed away from cancer yesterday [May 10], three decades ago when she spoke on a panel at New York’s New Music Seminar. She shared the tale of her 1988 R&B hit “No Pain, No Gain.” Here’s what I remember her saying:“I sent my record ‘No Pain, No Gain’ to 20 record companies and they all turned me down.

Betty Wright, a Grammy-winning soul singer and songwriter known for influential hits such as "Clean Up Woman" and "Where is the Love," died at age 66 at her home in Miami on Sunday. Steve Greenberg of S-Curve Records told the New York Times Wright had been diagnosed with cancer in the fall.

Roommates, we are sending our deepest condolences to the family of legendary Soul and R&B singer Betty Wright.

Betty Wright passes away at 66. 

In her nearly 50-year chart career, R&B legend Betty Wright stretched across generations with a soul, funk and disco catalog that made her one of the genre's most consistent hitmakers in the 1970s and early 1980s, and, in later years, as a frequently sampled presence in hits by Beyoncé, DJ Khaled and others.The singer-songwriter, born Bessie Norris, died at age 66 of cancer in Miami.Wright's Billboard chart career began on Aug.

The music community is mourning the loss of legendary soul and R&B singer Betty Wright.Music stars like John Legend, Snoop Dogg, Ledisi, DJ Khaled and many more took to social media Sunday (May 10) to pay tribute to Wright, who recently died after a battle with cancer. She was 66."I loved being around Ms Betty Wright," Legend tweeted.

The Grammys have always been unpredictable. Look no further than Betty Wright, who died today (May 10) at age 66.The first time Wright was nominated for a Grammy, she seemed to have an excellent chance of winning.

Longtime R&B singer Betty Wright has passed away after a long, successful career in the music industry.

Soul legend Betty Wright has died, aged 66.

Betty Wright was one of the most venerated figures in '70s soul, funk, gospel and disco -- not just a brilliant singer- songwriter, but also an accomplished producer and even an instinctive A&R woman, helping singers and eventual disco stars George & Gwen McCrae sign their first record deal in the late '60s while just a teenager herself.

Betty Wright was one of the most venerated figures in '70s soul, funk, gospel and disco -- not just a brilliant singer- songwriter, but also an accomplished producer and even an instinctive A&R woman, helping singers and eventual disco stars George & Gwen McCrae sign their first record deal in the late '60s while just a teenager herself.

Betty Wright has sadly died.

Betty Wright's legacy of soul, funk and disco hits in the '70s and '80s is one that's continued to echo throughout popular music -- somewhat literally, in the case of the many, many artists who have sampled her crisp grooves and peerless vocals over the years.

By Jordan Moreau

By Bruce Haring