She was one of the most renowned vocalists of her era, gifted with a sultry and sassy alto that spoke to a generation. Legendary Rhythm and Blues singer Etta James died Friday morning after a lengthy battle with leukemia, kidney disease and dementia.
Jamesetta Hawkins was born on January 25, 1938 to a teenage mother and was raised in Los Angeles by a series of caregivers. By the age of 5 her vocal gifts were already apparent, so she was given vocal lessons and became a popular singer in her local Baptist Church choir. At the age of 14 she formed a doo-wop group named The Peaches and they recorded “The Wallflower (Dance with Me, Henry)” which reached #1 on the Rhythm and Blues charts in 1955. By 1960 she became Etta James and signed a solo recording contract with Chess Records, releasing the album “The Second Time Around” and “At Last,” which became her signature and most acclaimed hit.
James succumbed to a heroin addiction during the 60s and 70s, which created a major setback to her aspirations. But kicking the habit in 1974, James slowly rebuilt her career, opening for the Rolling Stones in the mid 80s and releasing her first album on a major label in 7 years. “The Seven Year Itch” became a success, earning her major industry awards from the Grammys and the Blues Foundation. In recent years, James was portrayed by Beyoncé Knowles in the 2008 film Cadillac Records, bringing her historic story to a whole new generation of music lovers. But her relationship with the singer/actress became strained when Beyoncé was asked to sing “At Last” at the inaugural ball for President Obama in 2008, instead of her.
During her illustrious career, James released 30 albums and 58 singles. She is the winner of 6 Grammys and 17 Blues Music Awards. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Grammy Hall of Fame in both 1999 and 2008. Rolling Stone magazine listed James as of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time and one of the 100 Greatest Artists.
Etta James was 73.
R.I.P. Miss Etta James.