« Back to Artists

Etta James

Etta James (born Jamesetta Hawkins on January 25, 1938) is an American blues, soul, R&B, and jazz singer and songwriter, best known for her 1961 ballad "At Last". Her raw, unharnessed vocals influenced singers ranging from Janis Joplin to Bonnie Raitt.

Jamesetta Hawkins was born in 1938 in Los Angeles, and moved with her family to San Fransisco in 1950. As a teenager, she teamed with two other girls to form a Doo-Wop singing group. In 1954 Band leader Johnny Otis heard them audition, and took them to Los Angeles where they recorded "The Wallflower (Dance With Me Henry)" on the Modern label, reaching #2 on the R&B charts in 1955.

During the 1950s James toured with Little Richard, Johnny Watson and Otis Redding, and released several recordings including the hit "Good Rockin' Daddy". In 1960 she signed with Chess Records, releasing the hit "If I Can't Have You" that year, a duet with Harvey Fuqua of the Moonglows. Her solo blues number "All I Could Do Was Cry" was another big hit. A more pop-oriented song "At Last" reached #22 on the pop charts in 1961, and was to become her signature song.

Through the 1960s Etta James continued to release hits such as "Trust In Me", "Something's Got A Hold On Me", "Fool That I Am" and "Tell Mother" (1967). "I'd Rather Go Blind" (1968) illustrated her extraordinary raw vocal power.

During the 1970s, Etta James turned to more rock-based songs. The next few years were less productive, as she struggled to overcome a heroin addiction, and later with obesity. However, she continued to perform and record in a wide variety of styles. She opened for the Rolling Stones in 1978, recorded "Avenue D" with David Stewart of the Eurythmics, and did shows with the Grateful Dead in 1982. The albums "Seven Year Itch" (1988) and "The Right Time" (1992) were soul, while other albums were more jazz or blues oriented.

Etta James was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

Videos from YouTube ...