Etta James
About Etta James
Etta James (1938 – 2012) was best known for her bold, soulful voice and deeply emotional performances. She started singing gospel as a child, and her church quickly recognized her raw talent. In the 1950s, she transitioned into blues, jazz, and R&B, signing with Chess Records and achieving fame with hits ‘At Last’, ‘Tell Mama’, ‘I Just Want to Make Love to You’, and ‘I'd Rather Go Blind’. Mastering her gritty, unapologetic style, James quickly became an icon, blending genres in a way that influenced future generations of musicians.
Throughout her music career, Etta collaborated with fellow blues icon B.B King on the song ‘There’s Something on Your Mind’ and Chuck Berry on the concert film Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll. The singer also received six Grammy Awards and seventeen Blues Music Awards; later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, celebrating her legacy as a powerhouse in American music.
What is Etta James’ real name?
Etta James was born Jamesetta Hawkins on 25 January 1938 in Los Angeles, California.
What were Etta James’s most famous songs?
Her best-known songs include ‘At Last’, a classic love ballad; ‘Tell Mama’, an upbeat soul anthem; and ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’, a deeply emotional blues track.
Did Etta James write her songs?
While Etta James wrote most of her music, she also collaborated with other songwriters such as Randy Newman for ‘God’s Song (That’s Why I Love Mankind)’, Harvey Fuqua for ‘If I Can’t Have You’, and Ellington Jordan and Billy Foster for ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’.
Who were Etta James' influences?
Etta’s music was influenced by artists like Billie Holiday and Dinah Washington, and she drew from gospel roots, jazz, and blues to create her unique sound.
