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Betty (band)

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BETTY
Background information
OriginWashington, D.C.
GenresAlternative rock
Years active1986–present
Websitehttp://www.hellobetty.com/

BETTY is an alternative rock group from New York City. The group originated in Washington, D.C. and traces its lineage to a birthday party for Dodie Bowers (the original owner of the 9:30 Club). The band's harmonies and unique lyrics attracted a cult following in the vibrant alternative music scene and among gay/lesbian audiences. A "BETTY Rules" t-shirt, an early marketing item of the band, appears on one of the AIDS quilts.

The band achieved notoriety by making their first major gig as a band an 'autobiographical' two-act musical at the legendary DC Space in February 1987. Entitled "BETTY:Inside Out", the show established the tongue-in-cheek personas of the band that follow them to present day: the ego of egomaniacal diva Amy, the id of shame-free rebel, Elizabeth and the superego of calm superhero, Alyson. The wild success of that sold-out run led to appearances at Howie Montaug's Danceteria and the ultra-hot clubs and lounges of the late 1980s' scene in New York City.

In 1989, the band relocated to NYC. The name of their first album, "Hello, BETTY!" comes from the standard opening for all their appearances. In 1995, the band expanded by adding Tony Salvatore on lead guitar and drums to the initial line-up of vocals with electronic accompaniment, bass and cello.

BETTY appeared in every episode of the 1989 HBO Series Encyclopedia, singing educational songs each centered on a particular word, as well as performing the opening and closing theme songs. The members involved were Alyson Palmer/Amy Ziff/Elizabeth Ziff, although they were credited in the show's opening titles as simply "BETTY".

In 2002 the group starred in its own off-Broadway show BETTY RULES directed by Rent's Michael Greif. The musical ran for 9 months at the Zipper Theatre. The show has since been performed in Chicago at the Lakeside Theatre and sold-out three runs at Theater J in Washington, DC. BETTY has appeared as a regular guest artist on the television show The L Word, for which they provided the theme song,

Activist entertainers, BETTY is as well known for their performances at rallies for causes in which they believe (including equality and rights for women and girls) as they are for their 7 T.V. theme songs, film appearances and commercial jingles. Although the band on television's 'Phineas and Ferb' bears an uncanny resemblance, Disney proclaims that is not the same BETTY.

The band's name has been trademarked since 1990 and is usually depicted in all capitals, similar to the band KISS.

Line-up

  • Elizabeth Ziff (vocals, guitar)
  • Alyson Palmer (vocals, bass)
  • Amy Ziff (vocals, cello)
  • Tony Salvatore (lead guitar)
  • Mino Gori (drums)

Discography

  • 1994: Hello, BETTY!
  • 1994: Kiss My Sticky (EP)
  • 1996: Limboland
  • 1999: betty3
  • 2000: Carnival
  • 2002: BETTY RULES: Original Cast Recording
  • 2004: Snowbiz (EP)
  • 2009: Bright & Dark
  • 2013 Rise (EP)

Television series

  • 1986: "Encyclopedia"—HBO (house band)
  • "Real Sex"—HBO (theme song)
  • "The L Word"—Showtime (theme song and regular appearances)
  • "Weeds"—Showtime (end credits song, season 6, episode 8)
  • "Cover Shot"—TLC (theme song)
  • "Out on the Edge"—Comedy Central (house band and theme song)
  • "Ms. Adventure"—Animal Planet (theme song)
  • "Fashionably Late"—TLC (theme song)
  • "Remote Control"—MTV (guest appearance)
  • "USA Up All Night"—USA (guest host)
  • "Love Bites"—NBC (2011)

Filmography

  • 1993: Life with Mikey
  • 1994: It's Pat
  • 1995: The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love
  • 1997: "First We Take Manhattan"
  • 1999: The Out-of-Towners

Additional Performances/Recordings

  • Rock for Choice
  • June 10, 1992: Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall

References


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