Etta James will forever be remembered for her sultry and soulful song, ‘At Last,’ released in 1961. James’ rendition set the bar for the ballad that has been covered by too many artists to count, including Beyonce. Etta James was born as Jamesetta Hawkins to 14 year-old mother Dorothy Hawkins on January 25, 1938. Although never confirmed, Etta believed that her father was none other than the famous pool shark, ‘Minnesota Fats.’
The booming-voiced singer would eventually win six Grammys and have a career that spanned 40 years. James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
But Etta James did not have an easy go in her 40 year career. James battled multiple demons over the years including a heroin addiction. “My career was in the toilet. People tried to help, but I was hell bent on getting high,” James said of her addiction that she was able to overcome in 1984. Etta also battled with a weight problem which forced her to perform in a wheelchair. She would eventually receive weight loss surgery.
While Etta James will no doubt be remembered for her blues and soul singing, there is another side to this remarkable woman that was, thankfully, caught on film.
In the 1987 documentary film on Chuck Berry, ‘Hail! Hail! Rock and Roll,’ Etta James gave a performance that brought the house down. The film culminates with a celebration concert for Berry’s 60th birthday at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri. With a backup band made up of some of the world’s most legendary musicians including Keith Richards and Eric Clapton, Etta took the stage.
James starts out by singing Chuck Berry’s classic, ‘Rock and Roll Music’ as only she could. Rough, but controlled. As she rips through the verses, Chuck stirs her up by replying between pauses in the lyrics. The number continues with Chuck’s encouragement from the sidelines, and James lets loose until the house rocks. Chuck summarizes the performance best with one word. Wow! The performance is another facet of Etta James’ amazing vocal range, passion and versatility.
In 2010, the singer was diagnosed with leukemia. Etta also suffered from hepatitis C and dementia. Sadly, James passed away on Friday, January 20, at age 73, only days away from her 74th birthday.
©2012 Domenick Pilla
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