The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Betty Davis, the singer, songwriter and performer whose raw, sexually frank funk challenged expectations, died on February 9, 2022, at age 77. She died in Homestead, Pennsylvania. Her label’s announcement, as reported by The Washington Post, did not give a cause of death.
Who was Betty Davis?
Davis was a musician in her own right, not simply a figure in Miles Davis’s biography. She began recording as Betty Mabry and later released music under the name Betty Davis. Her work combined assertive vocals and candid lyrics with funk shaped by blues and rock.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
They Say I'm Different | $34.40 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Betty Davis | Buy on Amazon | |
| 3 |
|
Betty Davis Vinyl, Crashin' From Passion Record, Red LP | $64.25 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Is It Love Or Desire - Silver | $24.14 | Buy on Amazon |
Before her solo albums, she wrote “Uptown (to Harlem),” recorded by the Chambers Brothers in 1967. An early single, “Get Ready for Betty,” appeared under the name Betty Mabry in 1964.
Her connection to Miles Davis
Betty Mabry married Miles Davis in 1968, and the marriage lasted about a year. She appeared on the cover of his album Filles de Kilimanjaro, and “Mademoiselle Mabry” was inspired by her. Accounts also credit her with introducing him to rock artists and sounds; that influence should not be mistaken for sole responsibility for the direction of his later music.
#1 Best Overall
Betty Davis’s solo albums
| Album | Release year |
|---|---|
| Betty Davis | 1973 |
| They Say I’m Different | 1974 |
| Nasty Gal | 1975 |
These three records form the core of her solo album run. Davis’s confrontational performance style and sexual candor set her apart, but her records had limited commercial reach at the time. Later reissues brought the music to new listeners.
Why her music was rediscovered
Davis left the music industry and lived privately in the Pittsburgh area for decades. The contrast between the forceful persona on her records and her long retreat from public life became part of the story surrounding her work. Renewed attention through reissues and later recognition helped listeners encounter the albums beyond their original release period.
Rank #2
- Music
The documentary Betty: They Say I’m Different offers a route into her life and music beyond the brief framing of her marriage. Its current availability may vary by territory and service.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When and where did Betty Davis die?
Davis died on February 9, 2022, in Homestead, Pennsylvania, at age 77. The label announcement cited by The Washington Post did not specify a cause. The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame describes her as having died after a series of illnesses, but no specific illness is established in these accounts.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
Rank #3
- Betty Davis Vinyl, Crashin' From Passion Record, Red LP
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
