Bessie Regina Norris (December 21, 1953 – May 10, 2020), better known by her stage name Betty Wright, was an American soul and R&B singer, songwriter and background vocalist, who rose to fame in the 1970s with hits such as "Clean Up Woman" and "Tonight is the Night". She was also prominent in regard to the use of whistle register.
Born in Miami, Florida as Bessie Regina Norris on December 21, 1953, Wright was the youngest of seven children of Rosa Akins Braddy-Wright and her second husband, McArthur Norris. Wright began her professional career at the age of two when her siblings formed the gospel group, the Echoes of Joy. Wright contributed to vocals on the group's first album, released in 1956. Wright and her siblings performed together until the mid-1960s.
Peel was a fan of Betty Wright's material, along with soul artists such as Linda Jones, Ann Peebles and Millie Jackson, especially during the early 70's. He nominated her single, Secretary, at number 24 in his own 1974 Top Fifty One Singles, which was published in Sounds on 4th January 1975.
Although most of Betty's material played by Peel was from the early 70's, he did play later material from the singer, especially in the mid-80's when she released her Pain single.
