Bettye LaVette's New Book: hmmm, Yeah it's Hot!

[marv2]

http://www.freep.com/article/20120923/ENT04/309230083/Singer-Bettye-LaVette-lets-it-all-hang-out-in-her-revealing-autobiography

By Ben Edmonds

Detroit Free Press Special Writer

Zoom LaVette wrote her book with noted biographer David Ritz.


When we first encounter Bettye LaVette in her new autobiography "A Woman Like Me," it is the mid-1960s and the Detroit soul singer is being dangled by one foot from the roof of a building 20 stories above Amsterdam Avenue in New York City, her fate in the hands of the furious pimp-lover she was attempting to leave.

That's only page one of a dizzying, careening, nonstop roller coaster ride of an autobiography. The book, along with a new album and an international tour, are being coordinated in celebration of the 50-year milestone in LaVette's perplexing, frustrating, but ultimately triumphant career.

Fifty years ago the Detroit music scene was in explosive bloom, and LaVette was one of the city's bright young stars. The diminutive 16-year-old with a commanding voice had just crashed the R&B Top 10 with a saucy boast called "My Man -- He's a Lovin' Man." The talent it showcased predicted an ascendance that would seat Bettye LaVette alongside her neighbors Smokey Robinson and Aretha Franklin at the table reserved for immortals.

It didn't happen. She continued to make records, some of them great, but none caught the necessary breaks and many were never even released. Everyone acknowledged her dazzling potential, but nobody could give it the proper setting. Her bad luck, some of it self-inflicted, was as tenacious as her talent. The ledge we meet her on is one she would dangle precariously from, metaphorically speaking, for decades.

What she calls her "buzzard luck" has reversed dramatically in the past 10 years, thanks to a series of well-received contemporary albums and a pair of televised star-making turns. The first was a jaw-dropping rendition of the Who's "Love Reign O'er Me" at the 2008 Kennedy Center Honors. It was followed a month later by another show-stopping performance, this one a duet with Jon Bon Jovi on Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" during Barack Obama's inauguration festivities. After almost half a century, public perception changed from "Never heard of her" to "Why haven't we heard of her before?"

Hard road to the top
This ranks among the greatest feel-good stories in recent memory, but the feel-good part accounts for a small fraction of the story LaVette has to tell. Her book, co-authored with David Ritz [[celebrated biographer of Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye and many others) is an unflinching and uncompromising look at a life lived across the tracks from fame, where the brass ring was always within view but never within her grasp.

"I did think there would be a book," she says by phone from New Jersey, where she now lives. "But I always thought I'd be discovered after my death, and then somebody would write this great book about me." We are thankful she got around to it herself. No outsider could have begun to do this woman justice.

What you get in "A Woman Like Me" is LaVette raw and unfiltered. "At my age I'm not trying to make any kind of impression on anyone," she says.

The singer, 66, clearly relishes her late-life breakthrough, and she has never stopped engaging the world with the enthusiasm of a teenager. She has an endearing salty streak, leading to statements like, "I know everybody in Detroit over 50. No matter how rich or poor they may be, I've seen 'em drunk or broke or nekkid; sometimes all three."

LaVette is an unabashed sensualist for whom sex -- whether deep, casual or strategic -- has played a part in her life she has no interest in disguising or downplaying. Likewise, she offers no apologies for her fondness for alcohol and the occasional medicinal cigarette. Standard-issue celebrity repentance is not on her menu. "My story is one in which Jesus will not be making an appearance," she writes.

This is a woman who, after arguing theology with the Baptist cast of a musical called "The Gospel Truth," arrived at rehearsal the next day with a T-shirt that proclaimed, "Everybody has to believe in something. I believe I'll roll another joint."

This sensualist also happens to possess an utterly ferocious work ethic and dedication to craft. It helps explain why she's still around after 50 years, and still enjoying herself, when so many others have fallen by the wayside. There is a time to work and a time to play, and LaVette has found ample time for both.

Her narrative is studded with remembrances of Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, Diana Ross [[whom she pointedly calls Diane), Otis Redding and other luminaries. Some may wish they had not been remembered. In one sharply recalled scene, the wife of famed Motown songwriter Brian Holland catches him having a rendezvous with Miss Ross at the Twenty Grand nightclub and delivers a savage and very public beat-down of the diva.

LaVette also has no difficulty expressing a contrary opinion, as with her passionate defense of Ted White [[husband/manager of Aretha) and Ike Turner [[husband/manager of Tina), figures usually vilified in reportage of their respective ex-spouses.

She sees this not as telling all, but simply telling it like it was and is. "Everything I wrote is true," she states firmly. "I had to get three witnesses from the '60s for some of the things I said, and I did. It had to be notarized and we had to retain attorneys. All just to tell the truth! But what I was telling weren't secrets. It was common knowledge at the time, not privileged information. I'm not saying mean things about people. I'm just saying what happened, how it happened, and with whom. That's all."

The early part of the book paints a vivid picture of a vanished city, the Detroit of Black Bottom and her parents' blind pig, the Graystone Ballroom and Phelps Lounge and Paradise Valley. While big names will grab the attention, her most poignant portraits are devoted to relative unknowns, prisoners on the fringe with her. Like Rudy Robinson, the doomed piano genius who was LaVette's accompanist for many of the leanest years.

"Ooh, that man could make me so angry," she says. "He was a brilliant musician and a hopeless drunk. We argued every single day, and I fired him at least once a month ... for 30 years! But without him, and of course Jim, I wouldn't be the artist you see before you."

Jim is Jim Lewis, and LaVette's relationship with the union official and music aficionado was central to her development. He was her mentor, manager and biggest booster, and it was under his tutelage that a talented know-it-all became an authoritative singer and polished performer fit for any stage in the world.

"It's hard to talk about me without talking about what I learned from him," she acknowledges. "Jim once took me to see [[singer-bandleader) Billy Eckstine at the Roostertail. I was 17 and did not want to be there. When we went into the dressing room Jim said, 'Billy, I'd like you to meet a young lady who wants to be a singer.' Wants? I had a record in the charts; Billy Eckstine hadn't had a hit in 20 years! I was offended, but Jim was right. He knew how much I didn't know. I fought him every step of the way, but he made me see it."

LaVette continues: "That's why I can't believe things like 'American Idol.' I know how long it took me to possess, truly possess, even one song, so what 'American Idol' promises in a few weeks is not real. Jim Lewis wanted to impress upon me how much work I had to do before I became the singer I thought I already was."

The decades she endured in obscurity were dedicated to doing that work, to turning a voice that was already a natural wonder into a supremely disciplined musical weapon. When her chance came she was more than ready. She'd been ready for years.

When she stepped forward at the Kennedy Center to sing "Love Reign O'er Me" and faced an audience that included members of the Who and Barbra Streisand, Beyoncé and Aretha Franklin, she was not intimidated in the least. Having watched too many less gifted performers roar past her while she was stalled on the fringe, she takes an understandable pride in arriving at the peak of her powers when she did.

"Anybody that's seen my show knows how hard I work," she asserts. "I keep myself together -- I can fit into a size 6! -- and I keep my voice strong. I have what I've always wanted: a husband, a manager, a booking agent, a publicist, a record company and now a book publisher. These are things my friends and neighbors have had for years. Now I have them. And I can move so much more expediently because I don't waste any time. I'm late for nothing. I know my stuff when I get there. It takes me five days to record an album. I learned this not for the sake of efficiency, but from the years of no money."

On the new album "Thankful N' Thoughtful," her emotive rasp transforms a diverse set of songs from Bob Dylan, Sly Stone, the Black Keys, Neil Young, Tom Waits, Gnarls Barkley and others. "Dirty Old Town" is the most radical example of her transformative process. She keeps only the song's basic framework and rebuilds it with personal references -- to Northern High, the Graystone and Dodge Main -- until Ewan MacColl's English folk song has become LaVette's mournful celebration of her own dirty old town.


"That was how I found my way into that song," she says, "and after I finished it I had to cry. I feel so bad about what's happened to my city. At the same time I feel hopeful for the possibility of a turnaround, because I know how much Detroit has to offer."

More Details: 'A Woman Like Me'
By Bettye LaVette and David Ritz
Blue Rider Press, 278 pages, $26.95
In stores Thursday

[juicefree20]

Marv,

This book is beyond hot! I'll tell you more about it shorty, but this book is so hot that it's smoldering!

[jsmith]

She always did tell it like it is.
I love the story she recounts of Diana Ross & Eddie Holland's wife.

[marv2]

I believe Bettye may have the hottest [[read: controversial) book by a former Motown artist since Mary Wilson's "Dreamgirl, My Life As A Supreme".

[marv2]

Marv,

This book is beyond hot! I'll tell you more about it shorty, but this book is so hot that it's smoldering!

Just knowing that Miss Bettye doesn't fake the funk, I can already imagine! Ahemmmm..........hehehehehehehe!

[carlo]

Can't wait to receive my copy of her book! Bettye is a true survivor. She's been through the fire. Her story is so inspiring. I am so happy she is finally receiving all of this well-deserved attention. Her new album is also fantastic. Check it out.

[milven]

Can't wait to receive my copy of her book! Bettye is a true survivor. She's been through the fire. Her story is so inspiring. I am so happy she is finally receiving all of this well-deserved attention. Her new album is also fantastic. Check it out.

Did you see her on Jay Leno last night ?
She performs starting at 47 minutes.
http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/tuesday-september-25-2012/1418650

[carlo]

Thanks Milven. Unfortunately, the video does not play in my country, but I did get to see her performance last night. She was fantastic!

[hwume]

Hi folks,

For those of you in NYC next Tuesday and have a chance to come by the Apple Store in SoHo [[Prince Street), www.apple.com/soho:

Meet the Author: Bettye LaVette, "A Woman Like Me"
Since charting her first hit record at 16, Bettye LaVette has ridden the roller coaster of fame in the music world for more than forty years. In her memoir, "A Woman Like Me," Bettye shares her inspiring, no-holds-barred account of her 40-year career. Join this R&B legend in a moderated discussion led by award-winning reissue producer and music writer Harry Weinger. Bettye will talk about her life and career, give a reading, and take a few questions.
Tuesday, October 2, 7:00 p.m.

[marv2]

Hi folks,

For those of you in NYC next Tuesday and have a chance to come by the Apple Store in SoHo [[Prince Street), www.apple.com/soho:

Meet the Author: Bettye LaVette, "A Woman Like Me"
Since charting her first hit record at 16, Bettye LaVette has ridden the roller coaster of fame in the music world for more than forty years. In her memoir, "A Woman Like Me," Bettye shares her inspiring, no-holds-barred account of her 40-year career. Join this R&B legend in a moderated discussion led by award-winning reissue producer and music writer Harry Weinger. Bettye will talk about her life and career, give a reading, and take a few questions.
Tuesday, October 2, 7:00 p.m.

Thank you Harry. I will try to make it.

[marv2]

She always did tell it like it is.
I love the story she recounts of Diana Ross & Eddie Holland's wife.

I love it too because several times over the years I have read where people [[Diana Ross fans) characterized Mary Wilson's book as nothing but fables. This is about the 7th or 8th time someone has come forward that was also around the scene in Detroit in those days and verified what Mary had said in her book was true!

[ivyfield]

Apologies for the quality but here's a review from the Times newspaper in the UK. Looks very interesting - unlike some of the awful bio's I've read over the years...
5449

[smark21]

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/bettye-lavette-grandma-moses-soul-tells-new-autobiography-a-woman-highline-ballroom-article-1.1168725?localLinksEnabled=false

[milven]

Just read this about the book. Got a hunch a member here is gonna come in his pants when he reads all the nasty things she says about Diane:rolleyes:


Written with biographer David Ritz, the book tells dirty details and makes juice claims. She explains in her book how she slept with her first music producer at age 16, also claiming to have slept with Otis Redding, who asked her to marry him even though he had a pregnant girlfriend at the time. She says she was the mastermind behind a party held in order for a young Stevie Wonder to lose his virginity. She talks regretfully about how she never got a chance to add Marvin Gaye to her list of sexual conquests. After hounding him with many invites to her room, he finally showed up, but she just happened to not be alone. “Marvin had finally come for me, and I blew it,” she writes.

But a huge bulk of her disdain is directed towards Diana Ross, in particular, calling her a “stuck up b*tch with a small voice and big ambition.”

Well, then! Seems like quite the juicy

Read more: http://singersroom.com/content/2012-09-27/Soul-Singer-Bettye-LaVette-Releases-Tell-All-Memoir-Dishes-on-Motown-Scandals/#ixzz27ispK9Nn

[marv2]

I now expect Diana Ross' small legion of fans to turn on Miss Bettye the same way they've turned on Mary Wilson and others for simply telling the truth! Oh well, life is beautiful and goes on.........

[jazzy j]

I now expect Diana Ross' small legion of fans to turn on Miss Bettye the same way they've turned on Mary Wilson and others for simply telling the truth! Oh well, life is beautiful and goes on.........

Marv/Mary your such a nasty hateful hag..

[reese]

I'm reading Bettye's book now and it is a gripping read, to be sure. I only put it down last night because I had to get some sleep so that I could get to work today.

I must admit that IMO, there are some revelations about others that Bettye didn't need to share, but that's her choice. And aside from a few brief mentions, and the already known story of the confrontation between Diana and Sharon Holland, there's not much for Diana fans to get upset about.

[marv2]

I'm reading Bettye's book now and it is a gripping read, to be sure. I only put it down last night because I had to get some sleep so that I could get to work today.

I must admit that IMO, there are some revelations about others that Bettye didn't need to share, but that's her choice. And aside from a few brief mentions, and the already known story of the confrontation between Diana and Sharon Holland, there's not much for Diana fans to get upset about.

They've already started....[[see the above!)

[Kamasu_Jr]

Marv/Mary your such a nasty hateful hag..

LOL That was funny and so true. But I don't really care what the book has to say about Diana Ross. It's not important. It's not gonna change who Diana Ross is or who Bettye Lavette is. Unfortunately, some poor souls just love to see other people getting what they think is trashed. So far, some people have just picked up on the way Bettye Lavette dishes about Diana Ross, Aretha and other singers. They get off on that kind of stuff. I say whatever gets 'em through! I also remember some of the stuff Bettye dishes happened years ago, so what does it really mean today? I always say when you point a finger at someone else - remember you've got four pointing back at you. I read where one reviewer called Bettye ungraceful and delusional. It just proves there's ususlly two sides to every story and everyone - me included - usually has an opinion about somebody else.

[honest man]

[.

Well said, though i always believe there are 3 sides to every story. your side ,their side and THE TRUTH, but how much trash can one read,the mind boggles.cheers.

[detmotownguy]

Hi Marv:
From the point of view that Mary's book was a "tell all", I'd offer that Mary's book was hardly that, but more of a disappointment of a "friendship" [[if there really was one) gone bad. No monumental revelations, especially to Detroiters, of anything new. The early history of the group was very interesting, in addition to the vertical climb of success after 1964. It seemed that she should have quit reaching out for Diana years ago. After all, didn't we read somewhere that Diana told Mary that they were not friends or something to that effect?

Hope all is well.....

[marv2]

Hi Marv:
From the point of view that Mary's book was a "tell all", I'd offer that Mary's book was hardly that, but more of a disappointment of a "friendship" [[if there really was one) gone bad. No monumental revelations, especially to Detroiters, of anything new. The early history of the group was very interesting, in addition to the vertical climb of success after 1964. It seemed that she should have quit reaching out for Diana years ago. After all, didn't we read somewhere that Diana told Mary that they were not friends or something to that effect?

Hope all is well.....

Hey Detmotownguy! Yes things are fine and thanks for asking. I hope all is well with you too my friend. True, Mary's book was not exactly a tell all. [[Had she told ALL, many people would not have been able to take it!). I feel that Ms. Bettye has a more explosive book, even though I have not read it yet. I can just feel that she did not pull many punches in telling her story.

[luke]

True true true. Mary was very kind to Diana in her books. I think Diana gave/gives mixed messages-sent her love at BET...And they were members in the greatest American singing group so hard to completely detach. I know of one incident that happened that Mary did not even mention-as I said she has been very kind to Diana.

[smark21]

Here's her interview with the NY Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/29/arts/music/bettye-lavette-the-rampb-singer-reflects-on-her-career.html?ref=arts

[marv2]

True true true. Mary was very kind to Diana in her books. I think Diana gave/gives mixed messages-sent her love at BET...And they were members in the greatest American singing group so hard to completely detach. I know of one incident that happened that Mary did not even mention-as I said she has been very kind to Diana.

From what I know, Mary was sweet as pie to Diana in her books. She didn't tell but a little bit of what went on. Just enough to let everyone know that some things were out of control. You really don't have to read between the lines to come away with almost feeling sorry for Diana Ross. Mary took an almost mournful tone through most of the first book when discussing Diane.

[midnightman]

Quite frankly, I'm more interested in why she felt it was okay to sleep with Aretha's husband and her wanting Marvin Gaye to be HER'S than whatever she has to say about Diana [[which is getting real tiresome, don't you think?)

[imnokid]

Being Bettye's husband puts me in a funny place, since I was a member of this group before I even met Bettye. I am not going to get involved in a back and forth with anyone on here. I would merely like to offer that you need to read the book and don't just read the few blurbs that the tabloid press have chosen to focus on. And may I mention that they have parphrased terribly to get their cheesy headlines.

Bettye has chosen to tell her tale, warts and all.

But really, before you dish on her over blurbs, read the whole book and THEN make your comments.

Six two and even, over and out.

[theboyfromxtown]

I'm reading Bettye's book now and it is a gripping read, to be sure. I only put it down last night because I had to get some sleep so that I could get to work today.

I must admit that IMO, there are some revelations about others that Bettye didn't need to share, but that's her choice. And aside from a few brief mentions, and the already known story of the confrontation between Diana and Sharon Holland, there's not much for Diana fans to get upset about.

Reece. Is that the incident with the scissors? And does it mention who stopped it from getting out of hand.

[Kamasu_Jr]

Reece. Is that the incident with the scissors? And does it mention who stopped it from getting out of hand.


John, I don't recall a pair of scissors was mentioned in the book. You gotta clue me in on that. And it did not say who stopped the beat down from getting out of hand. I'm with Reese on this. In my opinion, there were more things in Bettye Lavette's book that I think would probably upset Aretha Franklin more than Diana Ross. That's all I'm gonna say.

[motony]

I read the book in 3 nights, it was hard to put down. The music industry & the entertainment industry in general is not for the meek of heart & seems to be especially difficult on women.Bettye Lavette is a true survivor.

[TivoliEclipse]

Will someone please enlighten me. Diana Ross was 18/19 years old, in a "din" of incestuous lions, sages, patrons, parasites, wise and unwise men and women, engaged in all sorts of bacchanalia -- watched while a wife they probably called, stripped a girl nearly naked for engaging in the same behavior they sanctioned/example they set? Now Bettye Lavette reports this story as if it is some indictment of Diana Ross and not some sorted lapse in judgement on her part... Bettye Lavette is no lady clearly. Imagine that fantastic scene -- the laughter... Jealous all of them. They knew she was the one who would/could dance with Sammy Davis Jr. and Fred Astaire, sing with Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, The Beatles, meet the Queen of England, love and be loved. Humph, Ms Ross got the last laugh didn't she -- but she's not laughing -- because she's the lady!

[TivoliEclipse]

Will someone please enlighten me. Diana Ross was 18/19 years old, in a "din" of incestuous lions, sages, patrons, parasites, wise and unwise men and women, engaged in all sorts of bacchanalia -- watched while a wife they probably called, stripped a girl nearly naked for engaging in the same behavior they sanctioned/example they set? Now Bettye Lavette reports this story as if it is some indictment of Diana Ross and not some sorted lapse in judgement on her part... Bettye Lavette is no lady clearly. Imagine that fantastic scene -- the laughter... Jealous all of them. They knew she was the one who would/could dance with Sammy Davis Jr. and Fred Astaire, sing with Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, The Beatles, meet the Queen of England, love and be loved. Humph, Ms Ross got the last laugh didn't she -- but she's not laughing -- because she's the lady!

[TivoliEclipse]

Will someone please enlighten me. Diana Ross was 18/19 years old, in a "din" of incestuous lions, sages, patrons, parasites, wise and unwise men and women, engaged in all sorts of bacchanalia -- watched while a wife they probably called, stripped a girl nearly naked for engaging in the same behavior they sanctioned/example they set? Now Bettye Lavette reports this story as if it is some indictment of Diana Ross and not some sorted lapse in judgement on her part... Bettye Lavette is no lady clearly. Imagine that fantastic scene -- the laughter... Jealous all of them. They knew she was the one who would/could dance with Sammy Davis Jr. and Fred Astaire, sing with Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, The Beatles, meet the Queen of England, love and be loved. Humph, Ms Ross got the last laugh didn't she -- but she's not laughing -- because she's the lady!

[TivoliEclipse]

I love it too because several times over the years I have read where people [[Diana Ross fans) characterized Mary Wilson's book as nothing but fables. This is about the 7th or 8th time someone has come forward that was also around the scene in Detroit in those days and verified what Mary had said in her book was true!

Will someone please enlighten me. Diana Ross was 18/19 years old, in a "din" of incestuous lions, sages, patrons, parasites, wise and unwise men and women, engaged in all sorts of bacchanalia -- watched while a wife they probably called, stripped a girl nearly naked for engaging in the same behavior they sanctioned/example they set? Now Bettye Lavette reports this story as if it is some indictment of Diana Ross and not some sorted lapse in judgement on her part... Bettye Lavette is no lady clearly. Imagine that fantastic scene -- the laughter... Jealous all of them. They knew she was the one who would/could dance with Sammy Davis Jr. and Fred Astaire, sing with Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, The Beatles, meet the Queen of England, love and be loved. Humph, Ms Ross got the last laugh didn't she -- but she's not laughing -- because she's the lady!

[smark21]

Why are you posting the same message over and over again?

[TivoliEclipse]

Reece. Is that the incident with the scissors? And does it mention who stopped it from getting out of hand.

Someone actually stopped it? Sounds like it went too far. Will someone please enlighten me. Diana Ross was 18/19 years old, in a "din" of incestuous lions, sages, patrons, parasites, wise and unwise men and women, engaged in all sorts of bacchanalia -- watched while a wife they probably called, stripped a girl nearly naked for engaging in the same behavior they sanctioned/example they set? Now Bettye Lavette reports this story as if it is some indictment of Diana Ross and not some sorted lapse in judgement on her part... Bettye Lavette is no lady clearly. Imagine that fantastic scene -- the laughter... Jealous all of them. They knew Diana was "Neo" -- she was the one who would/could dance with Sammy Davis Jr. and Fred Astaire, sing with Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, The Beatles, meet the Queen of England, love and be loved. Humph, Ms Ross got the last laugh didn't she -- but she's not laughing -- because she's the lady!

[smark21]

Someone actually stopped it? Sounds like it went too far. Will someone please enlighten me. Diana Ross was 18/19 years old, in a "din" of incestuous lions, sages, patrons, parasites, wise and unwise men and women, engaged in all sorts of bacchanalia -- watched while a wife they probably called, stripped a girl nearly naked for engaging in the same behavior they sanctioned/example they set? Now Bettye Lavette reports this story as if it is some indictment of Diana Ross and not some sorted lapse in judgement on her part... Bettye Lavette is no lady clearly. Imagine that fantastic scene -- the laughter... Jealous all of them. They knew Diana was "Neo" -- she was the one who would/could dance with Sammy Davis Jr. and Fred Astaire, sing with Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, The Beatles, meet the Queen of England, love and be loved. Humph, Ms Ross got the last laugh didn't she -- but she's not laughing -- because she's the lady!

TivoliEclipse, are you a malfunctioning Stepford Wife? You remind me of the character in The Stepford Wives who short circuits at the summer party and goes around repeating “I’ll just die if I don’t get that recipe”.

[peterr89]

I love the story she recounts of Diana Ross & Eddie Holland's wife

[phil]

It's a great book, frank and sincere like Etta James' Rage To Survive" -minus the [[bad) drugs.

But what a life !

[marv2]

I love the story she recounts of Diana Ross & Eddie Holland's wife

Yes, yes, yes it is a hoot! It once again verifies what Mary Wilson wrote years ago in her book "Dreamgirl, My Life As A Supreme" was true...............

[TivoliEclipse]

Your response makes no damned sense.

[TivoliEclipse]

Why are you posting the same message over and over again?

Sorry my responses went awry. There is frankly only one response. Diana Ross was bullied. It's a Cinderella story, and I think her fans sensed that [Cinderella] from the break! There was something about that -- "thin girl with the small voice." Isn't that what Lavette said they called her?

One of the healthiest responses to bullying [[even adult bullying) is to reduce the effects that bullies have by putting yourself first! Diana Ross did that Supremely well.

Oh, and by the way, I imagine Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard was there when they [Motown] watched with contempt [[while Eddie or was it Brian Holland's wife confronted her husband's "muse." Hence, all those pretty songs!) I always thought your girls should have your back -- Mary, Blondie? I guess not.

[marv2]

Sorry my responses went awry. There is frankly only one response. Diana Ross was bullied. It's a Cinderella story, and I think her fans sensed that [Cinderella] from the break! There was something about that -- "thin girl with the small voice." Isn't that what Lavette said they called her?

One of the healthiest responses to bullying [[even adult bullying) is to reduce the effects that bullies have by putting yourself first! Diana Ross did that Supremely well.

Oh, and by the way, I imagine Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard was there when they [Motown] watched with contempt [[while Eddie or was it Brian Holland's wife confronted her husband's "muse." Hence, all those pretty songs!) I always thought your girls should have your back -- Mary, Blondie? I guess not.

Diane got beat up, hehehehehehehe.........

[ejluther]

Your response makes no damned sense.
Sure it does but you have to have seen the movie to get the reference.

imnokid, please tell Bettye I think she's terrific and I'm especially fond of the record she made with The Drive-By Truckers, THE SCENE OF THE CRIME...

[TivoliEclipse]

Diane got beat up, hehehehehehehe.........

With all the children and young adults killing themselves as a result of bullying in the 21st Century [it is not civilized behavior! It has never been civilized/acceptable behavior], you find the suggestion/proposition that Ms. Ross was bullied -- hilarious. Are you a bully Marv? I think you are... How old are you. Not a question... it IS a statement...

[phil]

Diane Ross has a very small part in this wonderful book.

For me the most talking moment is at the end, when Bettye was invited by Janie Bradford [[one of her only female friends at Motown, along with the sweet Claudette Robinson) at her yearly Heroes and Legends banquet in Beverly Hills.

"All the old Motowners were here in the grand ballroom, including the fattest cat of all, Berry Gordy"...

After accepting her statue she made a little speech, ending by these words : "I'd like to say thar people in this room helped me to get me where I am, but they didn't. But it's okay. I'm here, I'm standing tall, and I'm going to sing you a song."

BRAVO BETTYE !!!

[marv2]

With all the children and young adults killing themselves as a result of bullying in the 21st Century [it is not civilized behavior! It has never been civilized/acceptable behavior], you find the suggestion/proposition that Ms. Ross was bullied -- hilarious. Are you a bully Marv? I think you are... How old are you. Not a question... it IS a statement...

Dude! [[or whatever) bullying is not nice, but in the World and country I live in [[the United States), children and young adults are blowing each other away, murdering one another every night through gun violence. You cannot compare so keep your warped indignation to yourself.

Yes I find it hilarious, especially the way Mary and Bettye LaVette described it! Diane was fooling around with Sharon Holland's husband and she was not having it! LOL! My age is none of your business. I don't even know you. She got her ass kicked trying to be slick.

[marv2]

Diane Ross has a very small part in this wonderful book.

For me the most talking moment is at the end, when Bettye was invited by Janie Bradford [[one of her only female friends at Motown, along with the sweet Claudette Robinson) at her yearly Heroes and Legends banquet in Beverly Hills.

"All the old Motowners were here in the grand ballroom, including the fattest cat of all, Berry Gordy"...

After accepting her statue she made a little speech, ending by these words : "I'd like to say thar people in this room helped me to get me where I am, but they didn't. But it's okay. I'm here, I'm standing tall, and I'm going to sing you a song."

BRAVO BETTYE !!!

That is a superb and truthful qoute! You go Miss Bettye!!!

[luke]

Her honesty is soooooooooo refreshing.

[phil]

Her honesty is soooooooooo refreshing.

You're right Luke, EVERY autobiography should be that honest !

Carl Davis was good at this, too.

Unfortunately 99% of what I've read before was pure edulcoration, even some biographies about the artists that we admire.

[smark21]

I don’t think being attacked at a nightclub by the wife of the man you’re fooling around with constitutes bullying. Maybe the wife had poor conflict management skills, but that’s not bullying. Besides, from most accounts, Diana Ross was no shrinking flower when it came to engaging in “mean girl” drama.

[midnightman]

^ All the Motown women were known to throw down. Diana ain't the only one... all of them [[Martha, Florence, Tammi, Kim, Mary, etc.) were rough around the edges and weren't scared to throw down if they felt they needed to, wrong or right. No one was an innocent... Bettye should know. She's a Detroit girl just like Ree Ree and her kin and we know how the Franklins got down...

[marv2]

^ All the Motown women were known to throw down. Diana ain't the only one... all of them [[Martha, Florence, Tammi, Kim, Mary, etc.) were rough around the edges and weren't scared to throw down if they felt they needed to, wrong or right. No one was an innocent... Bettye should know. She's a Detroit girl just like Ree Ree and her kin and we know how the Franklins got down...

You don't know the half of it! LOL!!!! oh LOL!!

[marv2]

Eddie must have been out of his mind, because Sharon Holland was a gorgeous, beautiful lady. Her pic is on here......

[summer96]

Almost every Motown book tells of that Diana Ross story and Sharon Holland. ex. Mary's, Martha's, and now Bettye's. Bettye's being the most honest and descriptive. I believe Motown controls what their artists say about them and this is one of the stories that they allow to be told. That's why everyone one is telling the story. But by now it's a lame story. We need other juice LOL

[motony]

I thought it was BRIAN Holland that was the Playboy not Eddie.Atleast in this case.

[RossHolloway]

It sounds like Bettye suffers from low self-esteem and career envy.

[marv2]

It sounds like Bettye suffers from low self-esteem and career envy.

Where do you HEAR that?

[Roberta75]

It sounds like Bettye suffers from low self-esteem and career envy.

The fact that Miss Lavette feel that some women deserve a beating from a man turned me off purchasing her autobiography.

Roberta

[marv2]

The fact that Miss Lavette feel that some women deserve a beating from a man turned me off purchasing her autobiography.

Roberta

Don't worry, there will be plenty of grown up folks that will be buying Miss Bettye's book.

[phil]

The fact that Miss Lavette feel that some women deserve a beating from a man turned me off purchasing her autobiography.

Roberta

I don't think she wrote such a thing...

Of course you're free to not buy her book but I can tell you that you'll miss something !

[Roberta75]

I don't think she wrote such a thing...

Of course you're free to not buy her book but I can tell you that you'll miss something !

Actually she did write such a thing phil and had this to say about Tina Turner.

“Hundreds of men would have whisked her off in a hot minute, but she stayed because she wanted to learn the lessons his beatings taught. Those lessons resulted in her becoming a millionaire many times over.”

I think Miss Turner stayed with Ike out of fear and low self esteem.

Sorry but I can't pay money for this book as i have a real big issue with any man who beat their woman.

Yours, with every good wish.

Roberta

[marv2]

Actually she did write such a thing phil and had this to say about Tina Turner.

“Hundreds of men would have whisked her off in a hot minute, but she stayed because she wanted to learn the lessons his beatings taught. Those lessons resulted in her becoming a millionaire many times over.”

I think Miss Turner stayed with Ike out of fear and low self esteem.

Sorry but I can't pay money for this book as i have a real big issue with any man who beat their woman.

Yours, with every good wish.

Roberta

You don't like it, don't buy it. Keep you change in your wallet. Simple as that. A lot more people are going to buy and enjoy reading it!

[phil]

Actually she did write such a thing phil and had this to say about Tina Turner.

“Hundreds of men would have whisked her off in a hot minute, but she stayed because she wanted to learn the lessons his beatings taught. Those lessons resulted in her becoming a millionaire many times over.”



Roberta, she also wrote : "A word about physical violence. I realize it's politically incorrect to admit this, but the sight of a man slapping a woman did not horrify me. Context is everything. In the context of Detroit showbiz culture of the sixties, men slapped their women around.They just did. It may sound radical to say so, but some women needed that. Some women even benefitted from that.We all knew-we saw it with our owneyes- that Ted was slapping Areta around. But without Ted's grooming, Aretha would never have been a superstar.

Same with Ike and Tina...Without Ike,there would be no Tina...Tina could have left Ike at will. She chose to stay because she wanted to learn the lessons he had to teach. And those lessons resulted in her becoming a millionaire many times over"

[Roberta75]

Roberta, she also wrote : "A word about physical violence. I realize it's politically incorrect to admit this, but the sight of a man slapping a woman did not horrify me. Context is everything. In the context of Detroit showbiz culture of the sixties, men slapped their women around.They just did. It may sound radical to say so, but some women needed that. Some women even benefitted from that.We all knew-we saw it with our owneyes- that Ted was slapping Areta around. But without Ted's grooming, Aretha would never have been a superstar.

Same with Ike and Tina...Without Ike,there would be no Tina...Tina could have left Ike at will. She chose to stay because she wanted to learn the lessons he had to teach. And those lessons resulted in her becoming a millionaire many times over"



I must respectfully disagree with you Phil. I have zero tolerance for any man who beat or slap a woman. My best friend at church was in a real abusive marriage for years but was scared to leave him because he threatened her and her kids. Finally our pastor and some of us at church convinced her to leave him but I cant and will never condone or accept any sort of physical violence. I saw what that man did to a once confidant woman. He bruised her face and body and ruin her self esteem. This is the reason I cant but Miss Lavette book.

Yours, with every good wish.

Roberta

[144man]

My father never raised his hand to my mother. To say that some women needed to be slapped around horrifies me.

[Roberta75]

My father never raised his hand to my mother. To say that some women needed to be slapped around horrifies me.

Me too 144man.

Fondly,

Roberta

[summer96]

I like Bettye cause she tells the truth. As far as I'm concerned everybody else at Motown are punks cause they don't wanna tell the truth. Them and everybody else in the 60's. She be telling the truth.

[phil]

I must respectfully disagree with you Phil. I have zero tolerance for any man who beat or slap a woman.


I totally agree with you Roberta, I was just trying to say -and Bettye wrote it - that it was a common practice in the black showbiz at the time.

And I think exactly like summer 96 "I like Bettye cause she tells the truth"

[smark21]

Here's another review of the book:

http://www.avclub.com/articles/bettye-lavette-david-ritz-a-woman-like-me,88574/

[midnightman]

I wonder why Stevie is on her sh*t list. LMAO!

[theboyfromxtown]

Bettye had a thing about Norman Whitfield! She wasn't impressed with him, that's for sure.

I have to say, I loved the book and couldn't put it down until I got to the end

[Kamasu_Jr]

I wonder why Stevie is on her sh*t list. LMAO!

According to most of the reviews I've read... it seems that everyone in or from Detroit is on her sh*t list.

[midnightman]

According to most of the reviews I've read... it seems that everyone in or from Detroit is on her sh*t list.

LOL I see...

[imnokid]

Jr.
Everyone? Really? I suggest you read the book instead of basing your own review on other people's reviews.

[Kamasu_Jr]

I did read the book and I know what's in it.

[imnokid]

If you DID read it, then you know that this statement is an outright lie.
" it seems that everyone in or from Detroit is on her sh*t list."

[Roberta75]

If you DID read it, then you know that this statement is an outright lie.
" it seems that everyone in or from Detroit is on her sh*t list."

If people spend their hard earned money on a book they should be allowed to say and post whatever they want about their interpretation of the book they buy its their money and this is is a free country.

Respectfully yours,

Roberta

[Kamasu_Jr]

If people spend their hard earned money on a book they should be allowed to say and post whatever they want about their interpretation of the book they buy its their money and this is is a free country.

Respectfully yours,

Roberta

I agree. I only said what I think. And I said "it seems," which indicates how I perceived things. It doesn't mean it is, but how I interpreted it. If you write and publish a book, you should be prepared for people to judge it and form opinions. Or as someone else once said: If you wanna be a clown, you better be prepared to take a few pies in the face. The pies in the face come with the job so don't be surprised or have your feelings hurt.

[luke]

Clearly she is misguided to put it mildly to say a woman may needs to be slapped. I hope she doesnt feel that way now!

[Kamasu_Jr]

People can say whatever the fuck they want.

For the record, Bettye could give 2 fucks what any of her critics have to say.

Oh, I just bet she doesn't. What did she tell one writer? Even if you say something bad about her, just say her name. Uh-huh! SHE should also be smart and mature enough to know that not everyone is going to see agree with everything she says, care about how she feels or concur with whatever she believes or thinks.

[jalowe1957]

I bought the book via Amazon.com and read it straight through. She does not suffer fools and pulls no punches.

My favorite part [[aside from the beat down Diana got from Sharon Holland): The incident after she got an award, where G.C. Cameron and her were at the bar. When he informed Bettye that Norman Whitfield passed away, she replied, "Good."

[Kamasu_Jr]

But what she fails to do is to say exactly what it was Norman Whitfield did to her personally for her to hold him in such contempt. Her comment after learning of Whitfield's passing showed nescience, in my opinion. In her book, she shows the same disdain for Aretha Franklin and others. Just what did some of these people do to her that would justify her animosity? Maybe she will come on the forum and answer me. Yeah, right!

[Roberta75]

I bought the book via Amazon.com and read it straight through. She does not suffer fools and pulls no punches.

My favorite part [[aside from the beat down Diana got from Sharon Holland): The incident after she got an award, where G.C. Cameron and her were at the bar. When he informed Bettye that Norman Whitfield passed away, she replied, "Good."

How can you be happy when someone pass away? Miss LaVette seems to have a lot of pent up anger and bitterness and frustration and needs to find some peace and forgiveness in her heart and soul.

I feel real sorry for Bettye LaVette and will pray she find peace.

Fondly,

Roberta

[phil]

My favorite part [[aside from the beat down Diana got from Sharon Holland): The incident after she got an award, where G.C. Cameron and her were at the bar. When he informed Bettye that Norman Whitfield passed away, she replied, "Good."

Personnally my favorite part is her speech in front of all the Detroiters, ending with these lines "And if I'm a legend at all, it's because I know people in Detroit who Berry Gordy still owes fifty dollars to, from when they worked with him on the Chrysler line. I'd like to say that people in this room helped to get me where I am, but they didn't.But that's okay. I'm here, I'm sytanding all, andI'm going to sing you a song."

[theboyfromxtown]

Personnally my favorite part is her speech in front of all the Detroiters, ending with these lines "And if I'm a legend at all, it's because I know people in Detroit who Berry Gordy still owes fifty dollars to, from when they worked with him on the Chrysler line. I'd like to say that people in this room helped to get me where I am, but they didn't.But that's okay. I'm here, I'm sytanding all, andI'm going to sing you a song."

I'd love to have been a fly on the wall!!

I also LOVE the line when Bettye first comes into contact with Kevin. "So you're into antiques....I'm a bit of an antique myself!" I couldn't stop laughing at that line.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I couldn't put it down once I started it. More importantly. I was checking out the music whilst I was going through the book and discovered that there were some songs that I hadn't heard before...one of which I have gone crazy over.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4ixBuhQGsw&feature=related

[Kamasu_Jr]

I sometimes listen to music when I read some book.