Etta James, one of the best and most-loved blues singers of our time, died today, Friday, January 20th, in Riverside, California. She was 73 years old. Ms. James had been battling chronic leukemia for a long time.
While the death was not unexpected, it is still a very great loss to not only the blues community but the music world as a whole.
While many people know Ms. James best for her ballad, "At Last," which has been a perennial wedding favorite ever since its debut in 1961, she sang so many great songss that it would be hard to pick which one was best. Beginning with her first hit in 1954 at age 15, with the suggestive rocker "Roll With Me, Henry," she went on to have many more hits with songs like "Good Rockin' Daddy," and my personal favorite,"I'd Rather Go Blind." She could be tough, and she could be tender. Everything she sang was sung with passion and true emotion.
For many of us, Etta James has been around for our entire lives.She will be sorely missed and long remembered. Her life was often turbulent, marked by years of drug addiction, but she never stopped singing and performing until very near the end.
Rest in peace, Ms. James. You have earned your rest. But we will miss you, and remember you, always.
Comments