ArtistInfo

Betty Willis

voc, 1941-2018 US
Singer of R&B/Soul

Betty Willis (born March 10, 1941 - died January 1, 2018) was an American singer. Sister of Alonzo Willis and Carolyn Willis. Sadly in later life Betty ended up homeless and was murdered. In the early 1960s, Betty began singing at various clubs in Santa Ana, California and throughout Orange County. In 1962, she recorded a duet with Ray Lockhart as Betty & Ray on Rendezvous Records entitled Turn Your Love Lights On / You're Too Much and followed it up with a solo single entitled, Take Your Heart also in 1962. She also recorded two singles with the label as the lead vocalist of a studio group of singers credited as the Instants (2). She occasionally sang with Santa Ana neighbor, Bill Medley (who eventually became the lower voice of The Righteous Brothers) at various local clubs. While The Righteous Brothers were signed to Moonglow (2) records, Betty and Bill Medley recorded a duet with one of Bill's songs entitled, 'My Tears Will Go Away' which was never released. Betty eventually hooked up with Wrecking Crew pianist, Leon Russell who would produce her next record on the Philles Records subsidiary, Phi-Dan Records. Betty recorded one final single on the Mojo Records label in 1967 entitled, Ain't Gonna Do You No Good which had been also recorded in 1966 by Rita & The Tiaras on Dore records. The A-side of the disc was written and produced by Jackie Avery and John Farris. Both original 45s of Betty's and Rita & The Tiaras' versions of the tune have exchanged hands for handsome sums on internet auction sites.

Genres

• R&B/Soul
• Rock

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