Betty Everett

Biography

Betty Everett was born on November 23, 1939, in Greenwood, Mississippi, where she began singing and playing piano in church at the age of nine. Immersed in gospel music from a young age, she developed a strong musical foundation before moving to Chicago in 1957 to pursue a career in secular music. There, she recorded for several local labels and briefly sang lead with the Daylighters, gaining experience in the vibrant Chicago soul scene.

Everett's breakthrough came after signing with Vee-Jay Records in 1963, under the guidance of A&R director Calvin Carter. Her early singles included a cover of 'You're No Good,' but it was 'The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)' in 1964 that became her signature hit, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Cashbox R&B chart. She also found success with duets alongside Jerry Butler, most notably 'Let It Be Me,' which reached the US Top 5. Throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, Everett recorded for several labels, scoring another major hit with 'There'll Come a Time' in 1969. Her style blended northern soul, doo-wop, and Motown influences, marked by her expressive vocals and piano skills.

Everett's legacy endures through her influential recordings and her impact on the soul and R&B genres. She was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame in 1996 and continued to perform into the 1990s. Her music has been covered by numerous artists, and 'The Shoop Shoop Song' experienced renewed popularity in the 1990s after being featured in the film 'Mermaids.'

Fun Facts

• Everett was initially reluctant to record 'The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss),' but it became her biggest hit.
• She performed with blues legends Muddy Waters and Magic Sam as a teenager in Chicago.
• Her duet 'Let It Be Me' with Jerry Butler was a major hit and has been widely covered since.
• Everett's last public performance was a reunion with Jerry Butler on the PBS special 'Doo Wop 51' in 2000.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Muddy Waters - Performed with Everett during her teenage years, exposing her to Chicago blues and professional musicianship. (Live performances (no known studio recordings)) [1950s]
• Magic Sam - Collaborated in live performances during Everett's formative years in Chicago. (Live performances) [1950s]

Key Collaborators

• Jerry Butler - Frequent duet partner; recorded several successful singles and an album together. (Let It Be Me, Smile, Delicious Together (album)) [1964-1965]
• Calvin Carter - A&R director and producer at Vee-Jay Records who guided Everett's early recording career. (Produced 'The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)' and other Vee-Jay singles) [1963-1966]
• Eugene Record - Co-writer and producer of 'There'll Come a Time' during Everett's tenure at Uni Records. ('There'll Come a Time') [1969]
• The Daylighters - Sang lead with this group early in her Chicago career. (Betty Everett and the Daylighters recordings) [Late 1950s-early 1960s]

Artists Influenced

• Linda Ronstadt - Covered Everett's 'You're No Good,' turning it into a No. 1 hit and introducing Everett's repertoire to a new generation. ('You're No Good' (1974)) [1970s]
• Dusty Springfield - Covered Everett's 'I Can't Hear You,' showcasing the cross-Atlantic influence of Everett's work. ('I Can't Hear You' (1965)) [1960s]
• Cher - Revived 'The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)' for the film 'Mermaids,' bringing Everett's music to a new audience. ('The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)' (1990)) [1990s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. It's In The Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song) (No Place To Hide)
2. It's in the Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song) (Hot to Hold)
3. The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)
4. You're No Good (Hot to Hold)
5. The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss) (Hands Off)
6. Its In His Kiss
7. Let It Be Me (Moon River / Delicious Together)
8. My Boyfriend's Back (Betty)
9. You're No Good (No Place To Hide)
10. There'll Come A Time (There'll Come A Time)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #2008-universal-fire-victim, #classic-pop-and-rock, #soul