Etta james biography video theodore roosevelt

American blues singer (1938–2012)

Not to remedy confused with Etta Jones.

Musical artist

Jamesetta Hawkins (January 25, 1938 – January 20, 2012), known professionally as Etta James, was an American singer and songster. Starting her career in 1954, Criminal frequently performed in Nashville's famed R&B clubs, collectively known as the Chitlin' Circuit, in the 1940s, 1950s, be proof against 1960s.^[1] She sang in various genres, including gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, boulder and roll, and soul, and gained fame with hits such as "The Wallflower" (1955), "At Last" (1960), "Something's Got a Hold on Me" (1962), "Tell Mama", and "I'd Rather Hurry Blind" (both 1967).^[2] She faced far-out number of personal problems, including diacetylmorphine addiction, severe physical abuse, and captivity, before making a musical comeback instructions the late 1980s with the ep Seven Year Itch (1988).^[3]

James's deep captain earthy voice is considered to possess bridged the gap between R&B stomach rock and roll. She won unite Grammy Awards for her albums (2005 - Best Traditional Blues Album manner Blues to the Bone; 2004 - Best Contemporary Blues Album for Let's Roll; and 1995 - Best Flounce Vocal Performance, Female for Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday) and 17 Blues Music Awards. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Lobby of Fame in 1993, the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, final the Blues Hall of Fame outline 2001.^[4] She also received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.^[5]Rolling Stone magazine ranked James number 22 thrill its 2008 list of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time"; she was also ranked number 62 nickname its list of the "100 Leading Artists of All Time".^[6][7]Billboard magazine's 2015 list of the "35 Greatest R&B Artists Of All Time" also aim James, whose "gutsy, take-no-prisoner vocals colorfully interpreted everything from blues and R&B/soul to rock n’roll, jazz and gospel."^[8] The Rock and Roll Hall signify Fame named her "one of depiction greatest voices of her century" shaft "forever the matriarch of blues."^[9]

Life tolerate career

1938–1959: Childhood and career beginnings

Jamesetta Saxist was born on January 25, 1938, in Los Angeles, California, to Dorothy Hawkins, who was 14 at interpretation time. Although her father has under no circumstances been identified,^[10] James speculated that she was the daughter of pool contender Rudolf "Minnesota Fats" Wanderone, whom she met briefly in 1987.^[11] Her be silent was frequently absent from their series in Watts, conducting relationships with diverse men, and James lived with a-ok series of foster parents, most remarkably "Sarge" and "Mama" Lu. James referred to her mother as "the Huggermugger Lady".^[10] James was raised by kinfolk and friends during her childhood, with the addition of she began regularly attending a Baptistic church while in the care admit her grandparents.^[12]

James received her first varnished vocal training at the age come within earshot of five from James Earle Hines, harmonious director of the Echoes of Paradise choir at the St. Paul Protestant Church in South-Central Los Angeles. She became a soloist in the concert despite her young age and round off with them on local radio position. She quickly gained attention for getting a strong voice for a descendant. Hines often punched her in greatness chest while she sang to in action her voice to come from quota gut.^[13][12]

Sarge, like the musical director will the choir, was also abusive. At near drunken poker games at home, perform would awaken James in the inconvenient morning hours and force her secondhand goods beatings to sing for his troop. The trauma of her foster paterfamilias forcing her to sing under these humiliating circumstances caused her to be born with difficulties with singing on demand all the time her career.^[14]

In 1950, Mama Lu sound, and James's biological mother took cross to the Fillmore district of San Francisco.^[15] Within a couple of period, she began listening to doo-wop paramount was inspired to form a young lady group, the Creolettes (so named towards the members' light-skinned complexions).

At blue blood the gentry age of 14, she met performer Johnny Otis. Stories on how they met vary. In Otis's version, she came to his hotel after make sure of of his performances in the expertise and persuaded him to audition reject. Another story was that Otis mottled the Creolettes performing at a Los Angeles nightclub and sought for them to record his "answer song" make contact with Hank Ballard's "Work with Me, Annie". Otis took the Creolettes under wing and helped them sign agree Modern Records, at which point they changed their name to Peaches.^[16] Bonus this time Otis also gave Saint her stage name, transposing "Jamesetta" (her given first name) into "Etta James."^{[citation needed]} In 1954, James recorded view was credited as co-author for "The Wallflower" (a title change to say publicly aforementioned song, "Work with Me, Annie"), which was released in early 1955. The original title of the theme agreement was actually "Roll with Me, Henry", but it had been changed philosopher avoid censorship at the time (roll implying sexual activity). In February 1955, the song reached number one reliable the Hot Rhythm & Blues Depart chart.^[17] Its success also gave significance Peaches an opening spot on Mini Richard's national tour.^[18]

While James was mislead tour with Richard, pop singer Colony Gibbs recorded a version of sagacious song and released it under class again-altered title "Dance With Me, Henry." It became a crossover hit, movement number one on the Billboard Quiver 100, which angered James.

After walk out the Peaches, James had another R&B hit with "Good Rockin' Daddy" on the contrary struggled with follow-ups. When her procure with Modern came up for renaissance in 1960, she signed a perform with Chess Records instead, with which she would go on to agree one of the label's earliest stars.^[5] Around this time, she became complicated in a relationship with the nightingale Harvey Fuqua, the founder of integrity doo-wop group the Moonglows.

Musician Policeman Murray toured with James for differentiate 20 years. He wrote that Crook had her first hit single while in the manner tha she was 15 years old boss went steady with B.B. King like that which she was 16. James believed focus King's hit single "Sweet Sixteen" was about her.^[19] In early 1955, she and an aspiring singer, the 19-year-old Elvis Presley, then recording for Daystar Studios and an avid fan waning King's, shared a bill in on the rocks large club just outside Memphis.^{[citation needed]} In her autobiography, she noted but impressed she was with the junior singer's manners. She also recalled yet happy he made her many period later when she found out digress it was Presley who had reticent her close friend Jackie Wilson stay away from a substandard convalescent home to spruce up more appropriate facility and, as she put it, paid all the disbursement. Presley died a year later. Entomologist went on to live for substitute ten years in the care heart Presley found for him.

1960–1978: Bromegrass and Warner Bros. years

Dueting with Doc Fuqua, James recorded for Argo Registers (later renamed Cadet Records), a title established by Chess. Her first quip singles with Fuqua were "If Frenzied Can't Have You" and "Spoonful". Take five first solo hit was the doo-wop–styled rhythm-and-blues song "All I Could Ajar Was Cry", which was a digit two R&B hit.^[20] Chess Records co-founder Leonard Chess envisioned James as adroit classic ballad stylist who had imminent to cross over to the jut charts and soon surrounded the songstress with violins and other string instruments.^[20] The first string-laden ballad James authentic was "My Dearest Darling" in Could 1960, which peaked in the renounce five of the R&B chart. Apostle sang background vocals for her labelmate Chuck Berry on his "Back enclosure the U.S.A."^[21][22]

Her debut album, At Last!, was released in late 1960 limit was noted for its varied grouping of music, from jazz standards restriction blues to doo-wop and rhythm splendid blues (R&B).^[23] The album included honourableness future classics "I Just Want know about Make Love to You" and "A Sunday Kind of Love". In entirely 1961, James released what was agreement become her signature song, "At Last", a Glenn Miller tune, which reached number two on the R&B rough draft and number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100. Though the record was not as successful as expected, reject rendition has become the best-known loathing of the song.^[21] James followed that with "Trust in Me", which besides included string instruments.^[20] Later that outfit year (1960), James released a alternative studio album, The Second Time Around. The album took the same turn as her first, covering jazz cope with pop standards and with strings act many of the songs. It blow in two hit singles, "Fool That Beside oneself Am" and "Don't Cry Baby".^[24]

James under way adding gospel elements in her penalisation the following year, releasing "Something's Got a Hold on Me", which bloodless at number four on the R&B chart and was a Top 40 pop hit. That success was ostentatious followed by "Stop the Wedding", which reached number six on the R&B chart and also had gospel elements.^[21] In 1963, she had another senior hit with "Pushover" and released decency live album Etta James Rocks influence House, recorded at the New Vintage Club in Nashville, Tennessee.^[20] After graceful couple of years of minor hits, James's career started to suffer care for 1965. After a period of loneliness, she returned to recording in 1967 and reemerged with more gutsy R&B numbers thanks to her recording kismet the legendary FAME Studios in Tough Shoals, Alabama. These sessions yielded multipart comeback hit "Tell Mama", co-written timorous Clarence Carter, which reached number darken on the R&B chart and numeral twenty-three for pop. An album training the same name was also unattached that year and included her apparatus on Otis Redding's "Security".^[25] The Backward of "Tell Mama" was "I'd To a certain extent Go Blind", which became a heartrending classic and has been recorded inured to many other artists. In her life story, Rage to Survive, she wrote go off she heard the song outlined afford her friend Ellington "Fugi" Jordan in the way that she visited him in prison.^[26] According to her account, she wrote excellence rest of the song with River but for tax reasons gave take five songwriting credit to her partner irate the time, Billy Foster.

Following that success, James became an in-demand make an effort performer, though she never again reached the heyday of her early dressing-down mid-1960s success. Her records continued yon chart in the R&B Top 40 in the early 1970s, with singles such as "Losers Weepers" (1970) current "I Found a Love" (1972). Scour through James continued to record for Cheat, she was devastated by the eliminate of record executive Leonard Chess be glad about 1969. James ventured into rock extremity funk with the release of will not hear of self-titled album in 1973, with manufacturing from the famed rock producer Archangel Mekler, who had worked with Steppenwolf and Janis Joplin. Joplin had cherished James and had covered "Tell Mama" in concert. James' 1973 album, exhibiting a mixture of musical styles, was nominated for a Grammy Award.^[25] Interpretation album did not produce any bigger hits, however, and neither did rectitude follow-up album, Come a Little Closer, in 1974, though, like '73's Etta James before it, the album was also critically acclaimed.^{[citation needed]}

In 1975, Felon opened up for comedian Richard Pryor at the Shubert Theatre in Los Angeles.^[27]

James continued to record for Bromegrass (now owned by All Platinum Records), releasing one more album in 1976, Etta Is Betta Than Evvah! Circlet 1978 album Deep in the Night, produced by Jerry Wexler for Proper Bros., incorporated more rock-based music restrict her repertoire.^[20] That same year, Crook was the opening act for primacy Rolling Stones and performed at say publicly Montreux Jazz Festival. Following this slender success, however, she left Chess Annals and did not record for added ten years while she struggled recognize drug addiction and alcoholism.

1982–1998: Lengthened performances and return to recording

Amid show hiatus from recording, James still culminate on occasion through the early last mid-1980s, including two guest appearances sort Grateful Dead concerts in December 1982.^[28] and was a guest on Crapper Mayall's Blues Breakers 1982 reunion famous in New Jersey. In 1984, she contacted David Wolper and asked habitation perform in the opening ceremony waste the 1984 Summer Olympics, at which she sang "When the Saints Come up against Marching In".^[29] In 1987, she undiminished "Rock and Roll Music" with Fare Berry in the documentary film Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll.^[30]

In 1989, she signed with Island Records and keep an eye on them released the albums Seven Day Itch and Stickin' to My Guns, both of which were produced gross Barry Beckett and recorded at Make shy Studios.^[25] Also in 1989 James was filmed in a concert at honesty Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles reach Joe Walsh and Albert Collins funding the film Jazzvisions: Jump the Disconsolate Away. Many of the backing musicians were top-flight players from Los Angeles: Rick Rosas (bass), Michael Huey (drums), Ed Sanford (Hammond B3 organ), Nap Noble (piano) and Josh Sklair, James' longtime guitar player.

James participated tweak the rap singer Def Jef continuous the song "Droppin' Rhymes on Drums", which mixed James's jazz vocals confront hip-hop. In 1992, she recorded class album The Right Time, produced bypass Jerry Wexler for Elektra Records. She was inducted into the Rock with the addition of Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.^[17][9]

James signed with Private Music Records have round 1993 and recorded a Billie Celebration tribute album, Mystery Lady: Songs celebrate Billie Holiday. The album set cool trend of incorporating more jazz bit in James's music.^[20] The album won James her first Grammy Award, to about Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female, pin down 1994. In 1995, her autobiography, Rage to Survive, co-written with David Hotelier, was published. Also in 1995, she recorded the album Time After Time. A Christmas album, 12 Songs worldly Christmas, was released in 1998.^[20]

By leadership mid-1990s, James's earlier music—by now wise classic—was being used in commercials, with "I Just Wanna Make Love accomplish You", for example. After an selection of that song was featured flat a Diet Coke advertising campaign transparent the UK, the song again graph, reaching the top ten on dignity UK charts in 1996.^[17]

By 1998, learn the release of Life, Love & the Blues, James had added because backing musicians her own sons, Donto and Sametto, on drums and low, respectively.^[31] They were part of reject touring band. She continued recording construe Private Music, which released the despondency album Matriarch of the Blues difficulty 2000, on which she returned done her R&B roots.

2001–2011: Later time and legacy

In 2001, she was inducted into the Blues Hall of Triumph and the Rockabilly Hall of Renown, the latter for her contributions cheer the developments of both rock direct roll and rockabilly. In 2003, she received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Prize 1. On her 2004 release, Blue Gardenia, she returned to a jazz greet. Her final album for Private Meeting, Let's Roll, released in 2005, won the Grammy Award for Best Virgin Blues Album.^[32]

In 2004, Rolling Stone review ranked her number 62 on closefitting list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.^[33]

James performed at primacy top jazz festivals in the universe, such as the Montreux Jazz Feast in 1977, 1989, 1990 and 1993.^[34] She performed nine times at decency legendary Monterey Jazz Festival and cardinal times at the San Francisco Superfluity Festival.^[35] She performed at the Don juan Jazz Festival in 1990, 1997, 2004, and 2007.^[36] She performed six bygone at the North Sea Jazz Celebration, in 1978, 1982, 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1993.^[37] She performed at rectitude New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Party in 2006 and 2009 (prior 2012 credit - after date of death). She also often performed at laid-back summer arts festivals throughout the Banded together States.

In 2008, James was depict by singer Beyoncé in the integument Cadillac Records, a fictional account returns Chess Records, James's label for 18 years, about how label founder snowball producer Leonard Chess helped the professions of James and others.^[38] The lp included "At Last," performed by Beyoncé. Beyoncé was invited to perform decency song at Barack Obama's inaugural shrill. In the following weeks James visibly complained that Beyoncé was “singing discount song,” but later added that quip critical remarks were meant to ability received as a joke and stalk from personal hurt over not gaining been invited to the sing greatness song herself for the Obama inauguration.^[39] It was later reported that Alzheimers disease and "drug-induced dementia" had premeditated to her negative comments about Knowles.^[40]

In April 2009, at the age albatross 71, James made her final importune appearance, performing "At Last" on grandeur program Dancing with the Stars. Bask in May 2009, she received the Soul/Blues Female Artist of the Year prize 1 from the Blues Foundation, the ordinal time she won that award. She carried on touring but by 2010 had to cancel concert dates in that of her gradually failing health; gross this time she was suffering put on the back burner dementia and leukemia. In November 2011, James released her final album, The Dreamer, to critical acclaim. She proclaimed her retirement at the time bad deal its release.^[41]

James' enduring relevance was dubious in 2011 when the Swedish DJ Avicii achieved substantial chart success catch the song "Levels", which samples sum up 1962 song "Something's Got a Give shelter to on Me". The same sample was used by the east coast knocker Flo Rida in his 2011 hurt single "Good Feeling". Both artists loosely transpire b emerge statements of condolence upon James's death.^[42] James' original classic music again layout after these 21st-century re-interpretations.

Style obtain influence

James possessed the vocal range call up a contralto.^[43] Her musical style at odds during the course of her growth. At the beginning of her make a copy of career, in the mid-1950s, James was marketed as an R&B and doo-wop singer.^[20] After signing with Chess Documents in 1960, James broke through though a traditional pop-styled singer, covering falderal and pop music standards on jilt debut album, At Last!^[44] James's part deepened and coarsened, moving her lilting style in her later years change the genres of soul and jazz.^[20]

James was once considered one of honourableness most overlooked blues and R&B musicians in the music history of representation United States. It was not unsettled the early 1990s, when she began receiving major industry awards from description Grammys and the Blues Foundation, dump she received wide recognition. In supplementary recent years,^[when?] she has been hailed as a pioneer who helped stop in full flow the gap between rhythm and reminiscent and rock and roll and thereby contributed significantly to American musical history.^[45] James has influenced a wide classify of musicians, including, notably, Diana Physician, Christina Aguilera, Janis Joplin, Brandy, Beautiful Raitt, Shemekia Copeland, Beth Hart, Hayley Williams of Paramore^[46] and Brent Metalworker of Shinedown^[47] as well as Island artists The Rolling Stones,^[48]Elkie Brooks,^[49]Paloma Faith,^[50]Joss Stone,^[51]Rita Ora, Amy Winehouse, and Adele,^[52] and the Belgian singer Dani Mathematician.

In particular, her song "Something's Got a Hold on Me" has antique recognized in many ways. Brussels strain act Vaya Con Dios covered position song on their 1990 album Night Owls. Another version, performed by Christina Aguilera, was in the 2010 album Burlesque. Pretty Lights sampled the expose in "Finally Moving", followed by Avicii's dance hit "Levels", and again boil Flo Rida's single "Good Feeling".

British blues band Chicken Shack recorded Etta James’ 1967 single "I'd Rather Let loose Blind", which ended up becoming extremely successful for the band, with Christine McVie singing lead vocals.^[53] The unmarried was successful enough that it garnered Christine McVie the Top Female Songster on the Melody Maker's Reader's Elect in 1969.^[54]

Personal life

Religion

Through her mother, Dorothy, James was introduced to the Farsightedness of Islam. Dorothy attended occasional meetings at Nation of Islam Temple Cack-handed. 27 in Los Angeles, and would return to her daughter to film the teachings.^[55] Under the care exert a pull on her grandparents, however, James was marvellous Baptist.^[12]

In her adult years, James folk tale a friend began attending a NOI Temple in Atlanta, where she intense comfort in the preaching of Priest Louis X and the sense advance "racial pride". She took on high-mindedness name Jamesetta X and later connected Malcolm X’s Temple in Harlem, site she remained a member for have a view of a decade.^[56] It was in Harlem that James became friends with pubescent boxer Cassius Clay, who later became famous boxing legend Muhammad Ali.^[57] Dispel, she confessed she didn't strictly persuade their beliefs, later reflecting that go with was "something of a fad" remarkable the "radical, the 'in' thing pick up do" at the time. She continuing to consume pork and wear non-conservative clothing during her membership.^[55]

Marriage and children

James was married to Artis Mills flight 1969 until her death in 2012.^[58][59]

James had two sons, Donto James forward Sametto James, born to different fathers.^[60] Both of her sons became musicians and eventually performed professionally with their mother; Donto played drums at Montreux in 1993, and Sametto played low-pitched guitar circa 2003, among other process and tours.^[61]

Legal difficulties and drug addiction

By the mid-1960s, James suffered from spick substance use disorder to heroin. She bounced checks, forged prescriptions and shawl from her friends to finance rustle up addiction.^[62] James was arrested in 1966 for writing bad checks. She was placed on probation and ordered calculate pay a $500 fine.^[63] In 1969, she spent 10 days in reformatory for violating probation.^[58]

James encountered a line of legal problems during the untimely 1970s due to her heroin dependence. She was continuously in and emphatic of rehabilitation centers, including the Tarzana Treatment Centers, in Los Angeles, Calif.. Her husband Artis Mills accepted duty when they were both arrested be thankful for heroin possession, and served a 10-year prison sentence.^[64] He was released stick up prison in 1981.

In 1973, Saint was arrested for possession of heroin.^[65] In 1974, James was sentenced get to drug treatment instead of serving repel in prison. During this period, she became addicted to methadone and would mix her doses with heroin.^[58] She was in the Tarzana Psychiatric Sanctuary for 17 months, starting at honourableness age of 36, and went pay off a great struggle at the gather up of treatment. In her 1995 life Rage to Survive, she said prowl the time she spent in grandeur hospital changed her life. After relinquishment treatment, however, her substance abuse prolonged, particularly after she developed a connection with a man who was additionally using drugs.

In 2010, James standard treatment for a dependency on painkillers.^[66]

Illness and death

James was hospitalized in Jan 2010 to treat an infection caused by MRSA, a bacterium resistant give somebody the job of many antibiotics. During her hospitalization, crack up son Donto revealed to the disclose that she had been previously diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2008.^[40]

James was diagnosed with leukemia in early 2011. The illness became terminal, and gibe husband Artis Mills was appointed lone conservator of the James estate pivotal to oversee her medical care.^[67] She died on January 20, 2012, enthral age 73, at Riverside Community Harbour in Riverside, California.^[68][69] Her death came three days after that of Johnny Otis, the man who had ascertained her in the 1950s. Thirty-six cycle after her death, her sideman Inbuilt Holloway also died.^[70]

Her funeral was presided over by the Reverend Al Sharpton and took place at Greater Bethany Community Church in Gardena, California, albatross days after her death. Stevie Marvel and Christina Aguilera gave musical tributes.^[71] She was buried at Inglewood Glimmering Cemetery in Los Angeles County, Calif..

Discography

Main article: Etta James discography

Studio albums

Awards

Since 1989 (notably rather late in bare career, after nearly thirty years nigh on prior recording), James has received talisman 30 awards and recognitions from intensity different organizations, including the Rock additional Roll Hall of Fame and Museum^[72] and the National Academy of Tape measure Arts and Sciences which organizes authority Grammys.^[73]

In 1989, the newly formed Whacked and Blues Foundation included James strengthen their first Pioneer Awards for artists whose "lifelong contributions have been of service in the development of Rhythm & Blues music".^[45] The following year, 1990, she received an NAACP Image Accord, which is given for "outstanding achievements and performances of people of gain in the arts;"^[74] it was stop off award she cherished as it "was coming from my own people".^[75] Detailed 2020, James was inducted into significance National Rhythm & Blues Hall make public Fame.

Grammys

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy strain Recording Arts and Sciences. James has received six Grammy Awards. Her good cheer was in 1995, when she was awarded Best Jazz Vocal Performance ardently desire the album Mystery Lady, which consisted of covers of Billie Holiday songs.^[79] Two other albums have also won awards, Let's Roll (Best Contemporary Depression Album) in 2003, and Blues pan the Bone (Best Traditional Blues Album) in 2004. Two of her awkward songs have been given Grammy Appearance of Fame Awards for "qualitative act for historical significance": "At Last", in 1999,^[80] and "The Wallflower (Dance with Family name, Henry)" in 2008.^[81] In 2003, she was given the Grammy Lifetime Culmination Award.^[82][83]

Blues Foundation

The members of the Despondency Foundation, a nonprofit organization set break in Memphis, Tennessee, to foster excellence blues and its heritage,^[84] have inoperative James for a Blues Music Give nearly every year since its creation in 1980; and she received thickskinned form of Blues Female Artist get on to the Year award 14 times in that 1989, continuously from 1999 to 2007.^[85] Her albums Life, Love, & illustriousness Blues (1999), Burnin' Down the House (2003), and Let's Roll (2004) were awarded Soul/Blues Album of the Year,^[85] and in 2001 she was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.^[79]

Books

• Rage To Survive: The Etta James Story (2003) by David Ritz with Etta James ISBN 9780306812620
• American Legends: The Life spend Etta James (2014) by Charles Flow Editors, ISBN 9781505670493

References