Betty Davis dead at 77 – Singer known as the Queen of Funk passes away

BETTY Davis, better known as The Queen of Funk, has passed away at 77.

The singer’s friend Danielle Maggio confirmed her death to  on Wednesday.

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Amie Downs, the communications director for Allegheny County where Davis resided, revealed that her cause of death was from natural causes.

Davis' career spanned 11-years, between 1964 and 1975; however, her music's impact was felt for decades.

Famous for her raspy vocals, Davis was known for singing hits such as Get Ready for Betty, It’s My Life, If I’m In Luck I Might Get Picked Up, and many more.

She also wrote the Chambers Brothers song Uptown (to Harlem).

Davis famously married Jazz legend Miles Davis in 1966.

Miles was 19 years older than her as the two began dating two years earlier when Davis started her career as a model.

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Although the marriage only lasted one year, Davis is credited with introducing Miles to the era's rock music.

Miles ultimately ushered in his jazz fusion era beginning with 1969’s In a Silent Way and 1970’s B***** Brew.

Davis remained a figure in the jazz genre; however, she received backlash in the mid-'70s due to her sexually explicit lyrics and performance style.

She found success in Europe, but she was barred from performing on television in the US because of her sexually aggressive stage persona.

Davis eventually exited the music industry in 1979 and moved to Pittsburgh, where she lived for four decades following her album releases.

The Queen of Funk opened up to about her exit from the music scene after being dropped by her label and "accepting it" as the end.

“When I was told that it was over, I just accepted it. And nobody else was knocking at my door.”

After her father died in 1980, Davis explained how she “went to another level."

“It was no longer about the music or anything, it was about me losing a part of myself. It was devastating.”

Davis’ music gained a following, inspiring a generation of artists like Erykah Badu and Janelle Monae.