Etta James, the sexy and sassy R&B belter who became known to millions for her wedding-day favorite (and Obama inauguration theme) "At Last," died Friday in Riverside, CA, succumbing to her year-long battle with leukemia. Etta, a pivotal figure in the success of Chess Records who was portrayed by Beyonce in the 2008 film Cadillac Records, first gained fame with a string of raw R&B hits on Modern and Chess including: "Dance With Me, Henry," "Good Rockin' Daddy," "Tell Mama," and "I'd Rather Go Blind," influencing generations of soul and rock vocalists.
When the hits dried up in the early 70s and tastes changed away from her earthy blues, the singer turned to drugs, but fortunately cleaned up and engineered a significant comeback in the mid-1980s, endearing herself to a whole new generation. This past November, a terminally ill James released her final album, the critically acclaimed "The Dreamer." Etta was a member of the Rock and Roll, Blues, and Grammy Halls of Fame, which is a testament to her broad appeal. James was set to turn 74 on Wednesday. Please leave your memories of Etta and your condolences in our forum.
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