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“There is no other”: Betty Davis, the ‘Queen of Funk’, dies at 77

<p dir="ltr">Funk and soul legend Betty Davis has died at 77 years old.</p><p dir="ltr">Danielle Maggio, a friend of the music star and model, confirmed the news on Wednesday, as reported by <em>Metro UK</em>.</p><p dir="ltr">Maggio also took to Twitter to share the sad news, writing: “Devastated by the passing of my dear friend, pioneering songwriter, singer and producer, #BettyDavis.”</p><p dir="ltr">She confirmed that the “Queen of Funk” died peacefully, with “no pain or fear”.</p><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-39ce42f6-7fff-80cd-3c50-4c0a85ff5061"></span></p><p dir="ltr">“Knowing her was the greatest honour of my life,” Maggio wrote. “I love you, Betty. Your music and spirit will live on forever.”</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Devastated by the passing of my dear friend, pioneering songwriter, singer and producer, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BettyDavis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BettyDavis</a>. There was no pain or fear as she left this physical world. Knowing her was the greatest honor of my life. I love you, Betty. Your music and spirit will live on forever. <a href="https://t.co/8pZAK6nS0S">pic.twitter.com/8pZAK6nS0S</a></p>— Danielle Maggio (@saucequeen_pgh) <a href="https://twitter.com/saucequeen_pgh/status/1491500133074280453?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2022</a></blockquote><p dir="ltr">Amie Downs, the communications director for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania - where Davis lived - told <em><a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/betty-davis-dead-obit-1297372/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rolling Stone</a></em> the star died of natural causes.</p><p dir="ltr">In a statement on Wednesday, Davis’ longtime friend Connie Portis remembered the trailblazing singer as a “beloved member of her community”.</p><p dir="ltr">“It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of Betty Davis, a multi-talented music influencer and pioneer rock star, singer, songwriter, and fashion icon,” Portis said.</p><p dir="ltr">“Most of all, Betty was a friend, aunt, niece, and beloved member of her community of Homestead, Pennsylvania, and of the worldwide community of friends and fans.”</p><p dir="ltr">Davis, born Betty Mabry in North Carolina, moved to New York, where her music career began.</p><p dir="ltr">She became known for her sexualised lyrics, rising to fame to produce hits like <em>Get Ready for Betty</em>, <em>If I’m in Luck I Might Get Picked Up</em> and <em>It’s My Life</em>.</p><p dir="ltr">Davis also wrote <em>Uptown (to Harlem)</em>, which appeared on The Chamber Brother’s 1967 album <em>The Time Has Come</em>.</p><p dir="ltr">She released her self-titled first album in 1973, followed by <em>They Say I’m Different</em> in 1974 and <em>Nasty Gal</em> in 1975.</p><p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2cf2c43f-7fff-9d98-88a0-2ad15fb9134e"></span></p><p dir="ltr">Davis was also known for being the second wife to jazz legend Miles Davis, who was 19 years older than her. The pair were wed in 1968 after being together for two years, but filed for divorce after just one year.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">It's been talked about over and over but let's just emphasize again how Betty Davis had a GIGANTIC impact on music, as well as being unapologetically herself as both an independent woman as well as an artist. A true pioneer and trailblazer <a href="https://t.co/01g53Sd93g">pic.twitter.com/01g53Sd93g</a></p>— COSMO BAKER (@CosmoBaker) <a href="https://twitter.com/CosmoBaker/status/1491462261134798850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2022</a></blockquote><p dir="ltr">Though their marriage was brief, Davis still influenced her former husband’s music, appearing on the cover of his album <em>Filles de Kilimanjaro</em> and inspiring the track <em>Mademoiselle Mabry (Miss Mabry)</em>.</p><p dir="ltr">Despite releasing her album in the same year, Davis left the music industry in 1975, moving to Pittsburgh to get away from the spotlight.</p><p dir="ltr">Her disappearance from the public eye didn’t stop her from gaining a cult following or continuing to inspire a new generation of artists. The renewed interest in her work resulted in the re-release of her albums in 2007, as well as the debut of her unreleased fourth album, which was recorded in 1976 and released under a new name in 2009.</p><p dir="ltr">Speaking to the <em>New York Times</em> in 2018 about her decision to retire, Davis said: “When I was told that it was over, I just accepted that. And nobody else was knocking at my door.”</p><p dir="ltr">During the same year, Davis released her first song in 40 years, titled <em><a href="https://daniellemaggio.bandcamp.com/album/a-little-bit-hot-tonight" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Little Bit Hot Tonight</a></em>, which was performed by Maggio on Davis’ behalf.</p><p dir="ltr">Portis said a tribute would be made to “her beautiful, bold and brash persona” at a later date.</p><p dir="ltr">“Today we cherish her memory as the sweet, thoughtful, and reflective person she was… There is no other.”</p><p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1c96b23e-7fff-be19-07dd-d94e38a99e65"></span></p><p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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The free NBN upgrade that could save you $120

<p>Many Aussie households are unaware that they are eligible for an NBN upgrade and those with standard (25Mbps) plans could save an average of $120 a year according to <a href="http://clickmeterlink.com/9SAVER_WO_BROADBAND?utm_source=9SAVER&amp;utm_medium=WEB&amp;utm_campaign=WHISTLEOUT_BROADBAND_NATIONAL" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">whistleout.com.au</span></strong></a>.</p> <p>Last year, NBN changed its wholesaling pricing, making the 50-speed plan the same price as the standard plan.</p> <p>Whistleout.com.au said, “We would strongly recommend that any NBN users currently on a 25 plan contact their provider to request a free upgrade to [a 50 Mbps speed], since 50 plans are now being sold at 25 prices. Some carriers are already offering this, but if you don’t ask you might not get it.”</p> <p>Trevor from <a href="https://www.9saver.com.au/telco-broadband/1918/how-to-request-an-nbn-upgrade-and-save-up-to-120" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>9Saver</strong></span></a> has shared a template letter that those who are on the Standard NBN 25Mbps plan can use to secure their free upgrade:</p> <p><em>"Dear Internet Service Provider</em></p> <p><em>Given NBN Co is now charging internet service providers the same for NBN 50 plans as it is for NBN 25 plans, I would like to request an upgrade to the higher speed.</em></p> <p><em>If my internet service provider is paying the same for a higher-speed connection, then as an existing customer I should receive the same deal.</em></p> <p><em>I would prefer not to enter a long-term contract because NBN pricing is likely to change again in April so I want to keep my options open.</em></p> <p><em>Yours Sincerely,</em> <em>Your name here</em></p> <p><em>Account # your account number here"</em></p> <p>Have you upgraded your NBN plan for free? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

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Elderly couple capture hearts with dance at a restaurant

<p>A Texan couple on holiday in Nova Scotia, Canada, had no idea their little dance session at their hotel’s restaurant would be such a hit. Burt and Carol showed off their youthful spirits when they busted some moves to the hit 2014 song “Uptown Funk” performed by the house band.</p> <p>The video, captured by an impressed waitress, soon went viral on Facebook, where it has racked up almost half a million views.</p> <p>“They said, ‘Is there any way we can just order water? Because we're here to dance,’” musician Keith Mullins told <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/couple-dancing-elderly-uptown-funk-keith-mullins-inverary-1.3243366" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">CBC News</span></strong></a>. “I said, ‘Yeah, let's make that happen.’ So I talked to the waitress and they danced for about four or five songs.”</p> <p>Take a look at their wonderful performance in the video above and tell us in the comments, have you ever witnessed anything like this?</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/09/grandma-surprised-with-monster-truck-experience/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Daughters surprise monster truck-obsessed mum with high-octane adventure</strong></span></em></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/09/grandma-surprised-with-musical-flash-mob/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Musical-loving grandma surprised with flash mob on 85th birthday</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/09/couple-still-in-love-after-85-years-together/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Couple who fell in love at the age of nine still together 85 years later</span></em></strong></a></p>

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Music icon, Prince, dies aged 57

<p>The world renowned and hugely popular musician, Prince has died at his home in Minnesota at the age of 57.</p> <p>Police went to his Paisley Park estate early on Thursday and found his body in a lift. In a statement, Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson said his deputies responded to a medical call at about 09:43 local time and later found an unresponsive adult male in an elevator at Paisley Park Studios. First responders tried to revive him with CPR but he was pronounced dead at 10:07. An investigation has now been opened.</p> <p>Rising to superstardom in the 1980s with albums such as 1999, Purple Rain and Sign O' the Times, Prince was one of the world’s most influential musicians.</p> <p>With music that spanned rock, funk and jazz, his innovative style sold more than 100 million records during his career.</p> <p>"It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died," his spokeswoman said.</p> <p>"There are no further details as to the cause of death at this time."</p> <p>As tributes flow in from all around the world, hundreds of fans have also gathered outside Paisley Park. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/04/queen-has-hilarious-exchange-with-tourists/">The Queen’s hilarious exchange with tourists who didn’t recognise Her Majesty</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/04/90-photos-celebrating-queen-birthday/">The Queen’s Birthday: 90 years in 90 photos</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/04/princess-mary-children-all-grown-up/">Princess Mary’s children all grown up</a></strong></em></span></p> <p> </p>

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82-year-old keyboardist and her band bring the “funk” to Washington D.C. Bar

<p>Every Sunday for the past two years, crowds have flocked to a Washington, D.C. bar called Showtime for a very special musical act: Granny’s Ball of Odds, or Granny and the Boys as they’re called by locals.</p><p>Granny is Alice Donahue, the 82-year-old keyboardist of the funk fusion band who play every Sunday at Showtime. When her husband passed away in 1996, Alice joined a music class for seniors at the University of Maryland. Richard Lynch, the band's drummer, who was working at a restaurant in the school persuaded Alice to manage the group, which she did. More than willing to lend a helping hand, when a keyboardist was needed for a performance, Alice was happy to step into the role.</p><p>“We like to call ourselves an ‘old school’ band. Emphasis on the old,” said the band’s bassist, Roberto Santos. “I'm the baby of the bunch now. I’m 58.”</p><p>The band play a mix of different genres but Alice says their specialty is “funky” music.</p><p>“Funky – that we can do, no problem, and I know the audience likes it because it’s more of what I call ‘pumping music’ – they can get up and really get going on that,” Alice told the Washingtonian.</p><p>While “Granny and the Boys” have been playing together for more than a decade, Alice says that people are still surprised when than see her.</p><p>“Some of them will come up at the bar and watch my hands and look at my shorthand music to make sure I'm actually playing that,” Alice told WAMU. “That I’m not just a prop, sitting there pretending, you know.”</p><p><em>Image credit: Granny and the Boys Facebook&nbsp;</em></p><p><strong>Related links:&nbsp;</strong></p><p><a href="/news/news/2015/02/worlds-oldest-twins-103/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>World’s oldest twins are still close as ever at 103</strong></em></span></a></p><p><a href="/news/news/2015/02/90-year-old-woman-goes-to-school/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>90-year-old woman goes to school to learn to read and write with her great-great-grandchildren</strong></em></span></a></p><p><a href="/news/news/2015/02/paul-mccartney-number-one-single-australia/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Paul McCartney is the oldest person to score a number one single in Australia</strong></em></span></a></p>

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