Happy 80th birthday today to the great Bettye LaVette (born 1/29/46), who was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 201. LaVette battled in semi-obscurity until 2005, when her album I’ve Got My Own Hell to Raise was released. Her eclectic musical style combines elements of soul, blues, rock, funk, gospel, and everything else righteous. Listen to LaVette belt out “Let Me Down Easy” from 1965, which was released as a single by Calla Records and peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot Rhythm and Blues Singles chart. Watch Bettye crank it up at Farm Aid 2021