Over the past month, rumors of the death of singer Etta James abounded, closely followed by denials from the family. However, Etta James passed away on Friday, January 20, just a few days before her 74th birthday. Ms. James succumbed to leukemia, but she also suffered from Heptitis C and dementia. She died at a hospital in Riverside, California, with her husband Artis Mills and her sons by her side.
Her career was filled with many joys and sorrows. She started as a teenager and hit the charts in 1955 with "The Wallflower-RollWith Me Henry", an answer record to Hank Ballard's "Work With Me Annie". I remember the rambunctous lyrics of those songs and blushed as a young teen when I heard them. Those songs were followed by "Annie Had a Baby", so you get the drift.
When I was graduating from high school and getting married in 1960, Etta James was joining Cadillac Records on her way to a string of R&B hits. She faded from the spotlight, only to reemerge in 1967. She struggled with herion addiction throughout her career and spent time in rehab on different occassions. Etta James never quit performing in her signature style, won six grammys, and was voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Over the years, Etta James had her share of health problems. In the late 1990s she reportedly weighed more than 400 pounds and required a scooter to get around. In 2003 she had gastric bypass surgery and dropped more than half the weight, according to People magazine. She often sang perched on a stool due to trouble with her knees, but always gave a soulful performance.
Etta James will always be remembered as an extraordinary singer. May she rest in peace.
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