Detroit-raised singer and songwriter Bettye LaVette was immortalized at the Detroit Historical Museum today, when she placed her hands and signature in cement at a brief ceremony on the museum¹s Legends Plaza.
Now that LaVette’s hand cast is installed in Legends Plaza, shel joins an array of Detroit music legends, including Alice Cooper, Martha Reeves, Mary Wilson, Allee Willis, Juan Atkins, Jeff Mills, Kevin Saunderson, Eddie Fowlkes and Carl Craig.
There is a total of 27 Detroit luminaries of arts, music, film, media and sports who are currently honored in the Plaza, a popular outdoor attraction located in front of the Detroit Historical Museum open since the fall of 2012.
LaVette, whose musical career spans over 50 years, was born Betty Jo Haskins in Muskegon, MI and moved to Detroit when she was six years old. She had her first R&B hit at the age of 16 with the song “My Man He’s a Lovin’ Man.”
After recording and touring steadily for decades, LaVette had achieved only modest fame until her breakout in 2005 with the album I’ve Got My Own Hell To Raise.
She is known for her unique singing voice and eclectic performance style and has shared the stage with artists from Otis Redding to Sir Paul McCartney and Jon Bon Jovi.
Her newest album, Worthy, was released in 2015.
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