Betty (stylized as BETTY) is an alternative pop / rock band from New York City.
Biography
BETTY was formed in 1986 in Washington D.C. around the scene of the 9:30 Club.
The band is composed of Elizabeth Ziff (vocals, guitar and electronic accompaniment), Alyson Palmer (vocals and bass) and Amy Ziff (vocals and cello).
In 1989, the band relocated to New York City. The name of their first album, Hello, BETTY! comes from the standard opening for all their appearances.
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.[1]
In 2002, the group starred in its own off-Broadway show BETTY Rules directed by Rent's Michael Greif.[2] The musical ran for nine 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, D.C.
From 2005 to 2009, BETTY appeared as a regular guest artist on the television show The L Word, for which they provided the theme song.[3]
Activist entertainers, BETTY is as well known for their performances at rallies for causes in which they believe.[4]
BETTY has documented their formation and rise in the Washington D.C. and New York City music scenes in their podcast, "BETTY: Girlband" available on Apple Podcasts.
Lineup
Elizabeth Ziff (vocals, guitar)
Alyson Palmer (vocals, bass)
Amy Ziff (vocals, cello)
Discography
1992: Hello, BETTY!
1994: Kiss My Sticky (EP)
1996: Limboland
1999: betty3
2000: Carnival
2002: BETTY Rules
2004: Snowbiz (Holiday)
2009: Bright & Dark
2013: Rise (EP)
2016: On The Rocks
2024: EAT
Television series
Encyclopedia—HBO (house band) (1986)
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