Etta James is a Blues singer and songwriter who rocketed to stardom in the 1960s with what became her signature ballad, "At Last". Her successful career has spanned five decades. She has won four Grammy Awards, and has been inducted into several Halls of Fame. Her tumultuous life and successful career helped make James one of the most respected female blues singers in history.
Etta James made her breakthrough into music at age 17. Her song The Wallflower topped the R&B chart. As a blues, jazz, and R&B hit singer, James reached number 2 on the R&B chart and Number 22 on the pop chart with the hit single At Last. http://www.amazon.com/Etta-James/e/B000AP7YYK/ref=ac_dpt_sa_bio
On April 7, 2009, James sang her hit single "At Last" on Dancing with the Stars while Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff performed on the dance floor.
In January 2010, James was hospitalized for complications involving a sepsis infection. As of February 12, 2010 James remains hospitalized for the infection but hopes to return to performing. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ifOO4sNlWM6VBRljmWCdjNgcK2-gD9DQ5MCG2
Etta James and Beyonce
During a concert at the Paramount Theater in Seattle, Washington, in January 2009, Etta James took issue with Beyonce Knowles' performance of her hit song "At Last" during the first of several inaugural balls for President Barack Obama. Knowles serenaded Obama and first lady Michelle Obama at the Neighborhood Ball. On an audio clip of James' concert, she can be heard telling the audience that she "can't stand Beyonce" and that she "had no business ... singing my song that I been singing forever."Daily News: Etta James takes shots at Beyonce and President Obama
James also expressed displeasure with Obama himself, saying "You know your President, right? You know the one with the big ears? He ain't my President."Daily News: Etta James takes shots at Beyonce and President Obama
Etta James Awards
Etta James "At Last"
Partial Discography
- 1961: At Last
- 1963: Etta James Top Ten
- 1964: Etta James Rocks the House
- 1968: Tell Mama
- 1973: Etta James
- 1997: Her Best
- 1997: Love's Been Rough on Me
- 1998: 12 Songs of Christmas
- 1998: Life, Love and the Blues
- 1999: The Best of Etta James: 20th Century Masters
- 1999: The Heart of a Woman
- 2000: Matriarch of the Blues
- 2001: Blue Gardenia
- 2001: Love Songs
- 2002: Burnin' Down the House
- 2003: Let's Roll
- 2004: Blues to the Bone
- 2006: The Definitive Collection
- 2006: All the Way
Beyonce Performs "At Last"
References
Fast Facts
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Name
Jamesetta Hawkins
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Born
January 25, 1938
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Birthplace
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Original Label
Chess Records
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Current Label
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Years active
1954 - present
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Fact:
Struggled with heroin addiction
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Fact:
Had gastric bypass surgery in 2003, lost more than 200 pounds
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Fact:
Hospitalized in July 2007 for "complications following abdominal surgery"Billboard: Etta James Hospitalized In Los Angeles (July 26, 2007)
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Fact:
Performed "At Last" on DWTS on April 7, 2009
