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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Short description|American songwriter (1939–2022)}}
{{Short description|American songwriter (1939–2022)}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| image =
| image = Bettye Crutcher at Stax Recording Studio.jpg
| caption =
| caption = Crutcher at Stax Recording Studio in 1974
| image_size =
| image_size =
| birth_name =
| birth_name = Bettye Jean Crutcher
| alias =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth year|1939}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1939|9|16}}
| birth_place = [[Memphis, Tennessee]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Memphis, Tennessee]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and given age|2022|10|20|83}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2022|10|20|1939|9|16}}<!-- Her obituary in The Commercial Appeal clearly says that she died at 83 years of age-->
| death_place = [[Nashville, Tennessee]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Nashville, Tennessee]], U.S.
| origin =
| origin =
| instrument =
| instrument =
| genre = [[Memphis soul]]
| genre = [[Memphis soul]]
| occupation = Singer, songwriter
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| years_active =
| years_active =
| label = [[Stax Records|Stax]]
| label = [[Stax Records|Stax]]
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| website =
| website =
}}
}}

'''Bettye Jean Crutcher''' (1939 – October 20, 2022) was an American songwriter. She was a staff writer for [[Stax Records]].<ref name=tennessee>[https://localtoday.news/tn/bettye-crutcher-stax-records-contributor-and-pioneering-songwriter-dies-at-83-54605.html Peter Barker, "Bettye Crutcher, Stax Records contributor and pioneering songwriter, dies at 83", ''Tennessee News'', October 21, 2022]. Retrieved October 21, 2022</ref> Crutcher teamed with [[Homer Banks]] and [[Raymond Jackson (songwriter)|Raymond Jackson]] as "We Three", and co-wrote "[[Who's Making Love]]" for [[Johnnie Taylor]], which earned a nomination for the [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Song]]. Crutcher also wrote music for [[the Staple Singers]], [[Sam & Dave]], and [[Albert King]].
'''Bettye Jean Crutcher''' (September 16, 1939 – October 20, 2022) was an American songwriter. She was a staff writer for [[Stax Records]].<ref name=tennessee>Peter Barker, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20221022004927/https://localtoday.news/tn/bettye-crutcher-stax-records-contributor-and-pioneering-songwriter-dies-at-83-54605.html "Bettye Crutcher, Stax Records contributor and pioneering songwriter, dies at 83"]}}, ''Tennessee News'', October 21, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2022.</ref> Crutcher teamed with [[Homer Banks]] and [[Raymond Jackson (songwriter)|Raymond Jackson]] as We Three, and co-wrote "[[Who's Making Love]]" for [[Johnnie Taylor]], which earned a nomination for the [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Song]]. Crutcher also wrote music for [[the Staple Singers]], [[Sam & Dave]], and [[Albert King]].


==Early life and career==
==Early life and career==
Crutcher was born in [[Memphis, Tennessee]] on September 16,<ref>{{Cite tweet
⚫
Crutcher was born in [[Memphis, Tennessee]] in 1939, and started writing poems as a child. She became a nurse and was a single parent of three children when she applied to work for various [[record label]]s. After being rejected by other labels, she joined [[Stax Records]] as a songwriter in 1967, becoming their only female staffer.<ref name="obit">{{Cite web |title=Stax songwriter Bettye Crutcher remembered for her energy, creativity and perspective |first=Bob|last=Mehr|url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/10/20/bettye-crutcher-stax-records-songwriter-dies/5330509002/ |date=October 20, 2022|access-date=October 21, 2022 |work=The Commercial Appeal |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2019, she said: "Being the only female songwriter for Stax was quite an event [...] They talk about the sexist '60s, and I really think the guys didn't think the girls could do that."<ref name=tennessee/>
| user = StaxMuseum
| date = September 16, 2022
| title = Wishing Happy Birthday today to someone we love so much, Bettye Crutcher! Famed Stax songwriter and dear friend. Check out this photo of Bettye with @johnlennon and @yokoono in 1972 at the @bmi Awards dinner in NYC. Captured after John ran up to share his love for her writing!
| number = 1570744610452013056
⚫
}}</ref> 1939, and started writing poems as a child. She became a nurse and was a single parent of three children when she applied to work for various [[record label]]s. After being rejected by other labels, she joined [[Stax Records]] as a songwriter in 1967, becoming their only female staffer.<ref name="obit">{{Cite web |title=Stax songwriter Bettye Crutcher remembered for her energy, creativity and perspective |first=Bob|last=Mehr|url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/10/20/bettye-crutcher-stax-records-songwriter-dies/5330509002/ |date=October 20, 2022|access-date=October 21, 2022 |work=The Commercial Appeal |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2019, she said: "Being the only female songwriter for Stax was quite an event [...] They talk about the sexist '60s, and I really think the guys didn't think the girls could do that."<ref name=tennessee/>

Crutcher wrote "Somebody's Sleeping in My Bed" for [[Johnnie Taylor]], which made the R&B [[Top 40]] in 1967.<ref name=obit/> She teamed with [[Homer Banks]] and [[Raymond Jackson (songwriter)|Raymond Jackson]] as the songwriting trio We Three. In their first year together, their work accounted for $6&nbsp;million in sales (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|6000000|1970}}}} in current dollar terms).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stax Songwriting Team Accounts For Millions|work=The Pittsburgh Courier |date=May 16, 1970|page=13 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111827223/stax-songwriting-team-accounts-for/ |access-date=October 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> We Three wrote "[[Who's Making Love]]" for Taylor, which was a Top 5 hit in 1968 and was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Song|Best R&B Song]] at the [[1969 Grammy Awards]].<ref name=obit/>


At Stax Records, Crutcher teamed with [[Homer Banks]] and [[Raymond Jackson (songwriter)|Raymond Jackson]] as the songwriting trio "We Three". In their first year together, their work accounted for $6&nbsp;million in sales (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|6000000|1970}}}} in current dollar terms).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stax Songwriting Team Accounts For Millions|work=The Pittsburgh Courier |date=16 May 1970|page=13 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111827223/stax-songwriting-team-accounts-for/ |access-date=October 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> Crutcher wrote "Somebody's Sleeping in My Bed" for [[Johnnie Taylor]], which made the R&B [[Top 40]] in 1967. "We Three" wrote "[[Who's Making Love]]" for Taylor, which was a Top 5 hit in 1968 and was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Song|Best R&B Song]] at the [[1969 Grammy Awards]].<ref name=obit/> In 1974, Crutcher recorded an album of her own, titled ''Long as You Love Me''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stax Songwriter to Speak at Quest Center on Saturday|work=The Dickson Herald |date=3 Apr 2015|page=A6 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111854414/stax-songwriter-to-speak-at-quest/|access-date=October 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> which she co-produced with [[Mack Rice]]. Crutcher and Rice also wrote the soundtrack for ''[[The Klansman]]'' in 1974.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111827086/hollywood-beckons-another-stax-vip/|title=Hollywood Beckons Another Stax VIP|first=Mary Ann|last=Lee|work=The Memphis Press-Scimitar |date=July 12, 1974|page=3|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 22, 2022}}</ref> In addition, Crutcher wrote music with [[Marvell Thomas]] and [[Bobby Manuel]]. She wrote "The Ghetto", "We'll Get Over", and "The Challenge" for [[the Staple Singers]], and recommended that "[[Respect Yourself]]" by Rice and [[Luther Ingram]] would work well for the group.<ref name=obit/> Crutcher also wrote "I Like What You're Doing to Me" for [[Carla Thomas]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111827142/composers-tell-dos-donts-of/|title=Composers Tell Do's, Don'ts of Songwriting|first=Mary Ann|last=Lee|work=The Memphis Press-Scimitar|page=17|date=March 2, 1973|accessdate=October 23, 2022}}</ref> as well as songs for [[Sam & Dave]], [[Ann Peebles]], [[Otis Clay]], and [[Albert King]]. Her songs were covered by [[Joan Baez]], [[Buddy Guy]], [[Paul Weller]], and [[Sammy Davis Jr.]], and sampled by the [[Wu-Tang Clan]], [[Sean Combs|Diddy]], and [[Mary J. Blige]].<ref name=obit/>
In 1974, Crutcher recorded an album of her own, titled ''Long as You Love Me''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stax Songwriter to Speak at Quest Center on Saturday|work=The Dickson Herald |date=April 3, 2015|page=A6 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111854414/stax-songwriter-to-speak-at-quest/|access-date=October 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> She recorded the album with the [[Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section]] and the [[Memphis Symphony Orchestra]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/250527933/?terms=%22bettye%20crutcher%22%20%22Muscle%20Shoals%22&match=1|title=The wax works|first=Jack|last=Burke|work=The Daily Journal|location=Stevens Point, Wisconsin|page=14|date=March 10, 1975|accessdate=October 23, 2022|url-access=subscription}}</ref> and co-produced the album with [[Mack Rice]]. Crutcher and Rice also wrote the soundtrack for ''[[The Klansman]]'' in 1974.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111827086/hollywood-beckons-another-stax-vip/|title=Hollywood Beckons Another Stax VIP|first=Mary Ann|last=Lee|work=The Memphis Press-Scimitar |date=July 12, 1974|page=3|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 22, 2022}}</ref> In addition, Crutcher wrote music with [[Marvell Thomas]] and [[Bobby Manuel]]. She wrote "The Ghetto", "We'll Get Over", and "The Challenge" for [[the Staple Singers]], and recommended that "[[Respect Yourself]]" by Rice and [[Luther Ingram]] would work well for the group.<ref name=obit/> Crutcher also wrote "I Like What You're Doing to Me" for [[Carla Thomas]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111827142/composers-tell-dos-donts-of/|title=Composers Tell Do's, Don'ts of Songwriting|first=Mary Ann|last=Lee|work=The Memphis Press-Scimitar|page=17|date=March 2, 1973|accessdate=October 23, 2022}}</ref> as well as songs for [[Sam & Dave]], [[Ann Peebles]], [[Otis Clay]], and [[Albert King]]. Her songs were covered by [[Joan Baez]], [[Buddy Guy]], [[Paul Weller]], and [[Sammy Davis Jr.]], and sampled by the [[Wu-Tang Clan]], [[Sean Combs|Diddy]], and [[Mary J. Blige]].<ref name=obit/>


==Later life==
==Later life==
After Stax went out of business, Crutcher worked in antiques and made jewelry. She moved to [[Nashville, Tennessee]], in the 1980s and wrote songs for [[B.B. King]] and [[Bobby Bland]].<ref name=obit/>
After Stax went out of business, Crutcher worked in antiques and made jewelry. She moved to [[Nashville, Tennessee]], in the 1980s and wrote songs for [[B.B. King]] and [[Bobby Bland]].<ref name=obit/>


Crutcher died in Nashville on October 20, 2022, at the age of 83.<ref name=tennessee/><ref name=obit/>
Crutcher died in Nashville on October 20, 2022, at age 83.<ref name=tennessee/><ref name=obit/>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:American nurses]]
[[Category:American nurses]]
[[Category:American songwriters]]
[[Category:American women songwriters]]
[[Category:American jewelry designers]]
[[Category:Musicians from Memphis, Tennessee]]
[[Category:Musicians from Memphis, Tennessee]]
[[Category:Musicians from Nashville, Tennessee]]
[[Category:Musicians from Nashville, Tennessee]]

Latest revision as of 22:32, 20 December 2024

Bettye Crutcher
Crutcher at Stax Recording Studio in 1974
Crutcher at Stax Recording Studio in 1974
Background information
Birth nameBettye Jean Crutcher
Born(1939-09-16)September 16, 1939
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedOctober 20, 2022(2022-10-20) (aged 83)
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
GenresMemphis soul
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
LabelsStax

Bettye Jean Crutcher (September 16, 1939 – October 20, 2022) was an American songwriter. She was a staff writer for Stax Records.[1] Crutcher teamed with Homer Banks and Raymond Jackson as We Three, and co-wrote "Who's Making Love" for Johnnie Taylor, which earned a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song. Crutcher also wrote music for the Staple Singers, Sam & Dave, and Albert King.

Early life and career

[edit]

Crutcher was born in Memphis, Tennessee on September 16,[2] 1939, and started writing poems as a child. She became a nurse and was a single parent of three children when she applied to work for various record labels. After being rejected by other labels, she joined Stax Records as a songwriter in 1967, becoming their only female staffer.[3] In 2019, she said: "Being the only female songwriter for Stax was quite an event [...] They talk about the sexist '60s, and I really think the guys didn't think the girls could do that."[1]

Crutcher wrote "Somebody's Sleeping in My Bed" for Johnnie Taylor, which made the R&B Top 40 in 1967.[3] She teamed with Homer Banks and Raymond Jackson as the songwriting trio We Three. In their first year together, their work accounted for $6 million in sales ($47,074,550 in current dollar terms).[4] We Three wrote "Who's Making Love" for Taylor, which was a Top 5 hit in 1968 and was nominated for Best R&B Song at the 1969 Grammy Awards.[3]

In 1974, Crutcher recorded an album of her own, titled Long as You Love Me.[5] She recorded the album with the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra[6] and co-produced the album with Mack Rice. Crutcher and Rice also wrote the soundtrack for The Klansman in 1974.[7] In addition, Crutcher wrote music with Marvell Thomas and Bobby Manuel. She wrote "The Ghetto", "We'll Get Over", and "The Challenge" for the Staple Singers, and recommended that "Respect Yourself" by Rice and Luther Ingram would work well for the group.[3] Crutcher also wrote "I Like What You're Doing to Me" for Carla Thomas[8] as well as songs for Sam & Dave, Ann Peebles, Otis Clay, and Albert King. Her songs were covered by Joan Baez, Buddy Guy, Paul Weller, and Sammy Davis Jr., and sampled by the Wu-Tang Clan, Diddy, and Mary J. Blige.[3]

Later life

[edit]

After Stax went out of business, Crutcher worked in antiques and made jewelry. She moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in the 1980s and wrote songs for B.B. King and Bobby Bland.[3]

Crutcher died in Nashville on October 20, 2022, at age 83.[1][3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Peter Barker, "Bettye Crutcher, Stax Records contributor and pioneering songwriter, dies at 83"[usurped], Tennessee News, October 21, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  2. ^ @StaxMuseum (September 16, 2022). "Wishing Happy Birthday today to someone we love so much, Bettye Crutcher! Famed Stax songwriter and dear friend. Check out this photo of Bettye with @johnlennon and @yokoono in 1972 at the @bmi Awards dinner in NYC. Captured after John ran up to share his love for her writing!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Mehr, Bob (October 20, 2022). "Stax songwriter Bettye Crutcher remembered for her energy, creativity and perspective". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  4. ^ "Stax Songwriting Team Accounts For Millions". The Pittsburgh Courier. May 16, 1970. p. 13. Retrieved October 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Stax Songwriter to Speak at Quest Center on Saturday". The Dickson Herald. April 3, 2015. p. A6. Retrieved October 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Burke, Jack (March 10, 1975). "The wax works". The Daily Journal. Stevens Point, Wisconsin. p. 14. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  7. ^ Lee, Mary Ann (July 12, 1974). "Hollywood Beckons Another Stax VIP". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. p. 3. Retrieved October 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Lee, Mary Ann (March 2, 1973). "Composers Tell Do's, Don'ts of Songwriting". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. p. 17. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
[edit]
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