SF hears: Etta James of 'At Last' dies, age 73, was 'a bad girl' (photos)
Top news in the entertainment world is coming through to San Francisco that Etta James, the singer, has died. She was 73 years old. (See story here on another singer, Gerry Rafferty, passing away: Gerry Rafferty died today, his father was alcoholic (photos, video))
According to newser.com, James had her husband and her sons by her bed at a hospital in California when she passed away.
James was well-known for her R&B songs but she was said to be "in pretty bad shape" recently, says newser.com
Etta James had been diagnosed back in 2010 with leukemia and doctors said she was also suffering from dementia.
Etta James won Grammy awards six times and will be best remembered for her singing of "At Last," states the AP. (See another Grammy award article here: SF anticipates 53rd Grammy Awards with Jagger, Dylan and Bieber)
Etta James also took pride in being called "one of music's original bad girls."
James wrote in her 1995 biography: "The bad girls ... had the look that I liked. I wanted to be rare, I wanted to be noticed, I wanted to be exotic as a Cotton Club chorus girl, and I wanted to be obvious as the most flamboyant hooker on the street. I just wanted to be."
When she was just 15 years old, James forged her mother's signature saying that James was 18 years old. With that she went from here in San Francisco to LA and recorded the song: "Roll With Me, Henry."
Etta James then toured the country with names like Little Richard and Fats Domino in the 1950s and 1960s.
She did fall into drugs and had a heroin addiction that she finally overcame after 20 years. (See the story here about another singer, Amy Winehouse, becoming dependent on drugs. She bought drugs the night before she died: SF learns Amy Winehouse bought drugs night before she died (photos, video))
She also struggled with her weight and an addiction to pain killers.
Beyonce, said of Etta James' passing, on her website:
"This is a huge loss. Etta James was one of the greatest vocalists of our time. I am so fortunate to have met such a queen. Her musical contributions will last a lifetime. Playing Etta James taught me so much about myself, and singing her music inspired me to be a stronger artist. When she effortlessly opened her mouth, you could hear her pain and triumph. Her deeply emotional way of delivering a song told her story with no filter. She was fearless, and had guts. She will be missed."
Etta James song, "At Last" became famous once again when President Barack Obama played it at his 2009 inauguration.
[No doubt on the cruise ship, Costa Concordia, which has recently been in the news, there were many good singers too. Unfortunately, none of them got to perform. See here for articles on the Costa Concordia by this Examiner:
SF news: Costa Concordia passengers told 'return to cabins, all under control'
Costa Concordia captain says did not leave ship early (photos, video)
SF news: Italy cruise ship, one couple handed over their baby (photos, video)
Italian cruise ship desperate calls: 'please don't tell my daughter about this'
Costa Concordia captain says did not leave ship early (photos, video)
SF learns: Costa Concordia search called off, bodies with life jackets found)
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See photos and video on the left-hand side of this article. A few photos are shown here of Etta James and Beyonce, but more can be seen in the following article, also by this Examiner: SF news: Etta James, singer, dies (photos) (They are a great tribute to this wonderful singer.)
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