US cult funk icon Betty Davis has died aged 77

The musician, who married Miles Davis in 1968, died of natural causes on February 9th.

Betty Davis, the 1960s and ’70s cult funk hero, has died aged 77, it has been confirmed.

Davis, who was married to jazz legend Miles Davis for a year in 1968, died today (February 9) of natural causes, close friend Danielle Maggio confirmed to Rolling Stone.

Davis’ self-titled debut album arrived in 1973, which she then followed up the following year with ‘They Say I’m Different’. Her third and final studio album, ‘Nasty Gal’, was released in 1975.

Though not commercially successful at their time of release, Davis’ music has gone on to be hugely influential in funk circles in the decades to follow.

Born Betty Mabry, she appeared on the cover of Miles Davis’ 1968 album ‘Filles de Kilimanjaro’, and was the inspiration behind his song ‘Mademoiselle Mabry’.