Syreeta Wright (August 3, 1946 – July 6, 2004), who recorded professionally under the single name Syreeta, was a Grammy Award-nominated American R&B;–soul singer-songwriter.
Syreeta was born Rita Wright in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a teenager, she moved with her family to Detroit, where she first came into contact with Motown Records, working for the company initially as a secretary. After Wright caught the attention of songwriter/producer Bri...
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Syreeta Wright (August 3, 1946 – July 6, 2004), who recorded professionally under the single name Syreeta, was a Grammy Award-nominated American R&B;–soul singer-songwriter.
Syreeta was born Rita Wright in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a teenager, she moved with her family to Detroit, where she first came into contact with Motown Records, working for the company initially as a secretary. After Wright caught the attention of songwriter/producer Brian Holland (of Holland-Dozier-Holland), she was signed to the label. Her first single, "I Can't Give Back the Love I Feel for You", (written by Holland along with Ashford and Simpson) was released in 1968. The song was written for Diana Ross & The Supremes, who later recorded it after the release of Syreeta's original. The single failed to chart nationally, but fared well overseas, where she would later develop a devoted following.
Wright married Stevie Wonder in 1970. Although the union was ultimately short-lived, Wonder helped Wright develop...
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