Etta James facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Etta James
James performing in France in July 1990
Background information
Birth name	Jamesetta Hawkins
Born	(1938-01-25)January 25, 1938 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died	January 20, 2012(2012-01-20) (aged 73) Riverside, California, U.S.
Genres	Gospel blues jazz R&B rock and roll soul
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1954–2012
Labels	Modern Chess MCA Argo Crown Cadet Island PolyGram Private RCA RCA Victor Elektra Virgin EMI Verve Forecast Universal Ace Records Blues Interaction, Inc.
Associated acts	Harvey Fuqua Johnny Otis Sugar Pie DeSanto

Jamesetta Hawkins (born January 25, 1938 – died January 20, 2012), known as Etta James, was a famous American singer. She sang many types of music, including gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, rock and roll, and soul.

Etta James started her music career in 1954. She became well-known for hit songs like "The Wallflower", "At Last", "Tell Mama", "Something's Got a Hold on Me", and "I'd Rather Go Blind". Her powerful voice helped connect rhythm and blues music with rock and roll.

She won six Grammy Awards and 17 Blues Music Awards. Etta James was honored in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. She also joined the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2003, she received a special Grammy award for her lifetime achievements in music. Rolling Stone magazine called her one of the greatest singers and artists of all time. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame described her as "one of the greatest voices of her century."

Etta James's Life and Music Career

Early Life and Starting in Music (1938–1959)

Etta James was born on January 25, 1938, in Los Angeles, California. Her mother was Dorothy Hawkins. Etta lived with different foster parents as a child. One of her foster parents was "Mama" Lu.

When she was five, Etta began vocal training with James Earle Hines. He was the music director for the Echoes of Eden choir at St. Paul Baptist Church. She quickly became known for her very strong voice, even at a young age.

In the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, Etta often performed in R&B clubs. These clubs were part of the "Chitlin' Circuit", a network of venues that welcomed African-American performers.

In 1950, Etta moved to San Francisco with her biological mother. There, she started listening to doo-wop music. This inspired her to create her own girl group called the Creolettes.

When she was 14, Etta met musician Johnny Otis. He helped her group sign with Modern Records. They changed their name to Peaches. Johnny Otis also gave Jamesetta her stage name, Etta James.

In 1954, Etta recorded "The Wallflower". This song became a number one hit on the R&B chart in 1955. Its success helped the Peaches get a spot on Little Richard's national tour.

Later, a pop singer named Georgia Gibbs released her own version of the song. It became a big hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This made Etta James upset.

After leaving the Peaches, Etta had another R&B hit called "Good Rockin' Daddy." In 1960, she signed with Chess Records, where she became one of their first big stars.

Etta James also knew other famous musicians. She toured with Bobby Murray for over 20 years. She met B.B. King and believed his song "Sweet Sixteen" was about her. In 1955, she performed with a young Elvis Presley. She was impressed by his kindness.

Success with Chess Records (1960–1978)

Etta James began recording for Argo Records, a label owned by Chess. She sang duets with Harvey Fuqua. Their first hit songs were "If I Can't Have You" and "Spoonful". Her first solo hit was "All I Could Do Was Cry", which reached number two on the R&B chart.

Leonard Chess, who started Chess Records, wanted Etta to sing classic ballads. He added violins and other string instruments to her songs. Her first ballad with strings was "My Dearest Darling" in 1960. It reached the top five on the R&B chart. Etta also sang background vocals for Chuck Berry on his song "Back in the U.S.A."

Her first album, At Last!, came out in 1960. It featured different styles of music, from jazz to blues to doo-wop. In 1961, Etta released her famous song "At Last". This song reached number two on the R&B chart. Even though it wasn't a huge pop hit, her version became the most well-known.

Etta's second album, The Second Time Around, also came out in 1960. It had jazz and pop songs with strings. This album included the hit singles "Fool That I Am" and "Don't Cry Baby."

In 1962, Etta started adding gospel sounds to her music. She released "Something's Got a Hold on Me", which was a Top 40 pop hit. "Stop the Wedding" followed, also with gospel elements. In 1963, she had another hit with "Pushover". She also released a live album, Etta James Rocks the House.

After a few years of smaller hits, Etta's career slowed down after 1965. She returned to recording in 1967 at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. These sessions produced her comeback hit "Tell Mama". This song reached number ten on the R&B chart. The other side of the "Tell Mama" record was "I'd Rather Go Blind". This song became a blues classic.

After this success, Etta James became a popular concert performer. Her songs continued to appear on the R&B Top 40 charts in the early 1970s. She was very sad when Leonard Chess died in 1969.

In 1973, Etta released her self-titled album, Etta James. It had a mix of rock and funk music. This album was nominated for a Grammy Award. Her next album, Come a Little Closer, also received good reviews.

In 1978, Etta released Deep in the Night, which had more rock music. That same year, she opened for The Rolling Stones and performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival. After this, she left Chess Records.

Later Career and Achievements (1982–2012)

James performing in 2000

Etta James continued to perform in the 1980s. In 1984, she sang "When the Saints Go Marching In" at the opening ceremony of the 1984 Summer Olympics. In 1987, she performed "Rock and Roll Music" with Chuck Berry in a film.

In 1989, she signed with Island Records. She released the albums Seven Year Itch and Stickin' to My Guns. She also performed at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles.

Etta James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

In 1993, she signed with Private Music Records. She recorded Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday, an album honoring Billie Holiday. This album won Etta her first Grammy Award in 1994 for Best Jazz Vocal Performance. Her autobiography, A Rage to Survive, was published in 1995.

By the mid-1990s, Etta's older songs were used in commercials. Her sons, Donto and Sametto, joined her touring band. Donto played drums and Sametto played bass. In 2000, she released Matriarch of the Blues, returning to her R&B style.

In 2001, she was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. In 2003, she received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Her 2004 album, Blue Gardenia, returned to a jazz style. Her last album for Private Music, Let's Roll, won a Grammy Award in 2005.

Rolling Stone magazine ranked her among the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time in 2004.

Etta James performed at many top jazz festivals around the world. These included the Montreux Jazz Festival and the Monterey Jazz Festival. She also performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

James at the 2006 Common Ground Festival in Lansing, Michigan

In 2008, actress Beyoncé Knowles played Etta James in the film Cadillac Records. This movie was about Chess Records, Etta's record label for many years. The film included Beyoncé performing "At Last."

In April 2009, Etta James made her last TV appearance. She sang "At Last" on the show Dancing with the Stars. In May 2009, she won the Soul/Blues Female Artist of the Year award.

By 2010, Etta had to cancel concerts due to her health. In November 2011, she released her final album, The Dreamer. She announced this would be her last album.

Etta James's music continued to be popular. In 2011, the DJ Avicii used a sample from her 1962 song "Something's Got a Hold on Me" in his hit song "Levels". The rapper Flo Rida also used the same sample in his song "Good Feeling".

Etta James's Music Style and Influence

Etta James had a deep, powerful singing voice. Her music style changed over her career. When she first started, she was known as an R&B and doo-wop singer. After signing with Chess Records, she began singing more traditional pop songs. As she got older, her voice became deeper, and her music moved towards soul and jazz.

Etta James is now seen as a pioneer who helped connect rhythm and blues and rock and roll. She greatly contributed to American music history. Many musicians have been influenced by Etta James. These include Diana Ross, Christina Aguilera, Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, Amy Winehouse, and Adele.

Her song "Something's Got a Hold on Me" is especially famous. It has been covered by artists like Christina Aguilera and sampled in popular songs by Avicii and Flo Rida.

Personal Life

Family

Etta James was married to Artis Mills from 1969 until her death in 2012.

She had two sons, Donto James and Sametto James. Both of her sons became musicians. They performed professionally with their mother, with Donto playing drums and Sametto playing bass guitar.

Illness and Passing

James's tomb at Inglewood Park Cemetery

Etta James was hospitalized in January 2010 for an infection. Her son Donto shared that she had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2008.

In early 2011, Etta was diagnosed with leukemia. She passed away on January 20, 2012, just five days before her 74th birthday. Her funeral was led by Al Sharpton. Stevie Wonder and Christina Aguilera performed musical tributes. She was buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in California.

Etta James's Albums

Studio albums

Awards and Recognitions

Since 1989, Etta James received over 30 awards. These came from groups like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which gives out the Grammys.

In 1989, the Rhythm and Blues Foundation gave Etta James a Pioneer Award. This award honors artists who helped create Rhythm & Blues music. The next year, she received an NAACP Image Award. This award celebrates achievements by people of color in the arts. In 2020, James was inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.

• In 1993, Etta James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• In 2001, James was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
• In 2003, James received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• In 2005, James was inducted into Hollywood's Rockwalk.
• In 2006, James received the Billboard R&B Founders Award.

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are given out every year. Etta James won six Grammy Awards. Her first was in 1995 for her album Mystery Lady, which featured songs by Billie Holiday. Two other albums, Let's Roll (2003) and Blues to the Bone (2004), also won Grammys.

Two of her early songs, "At Last" (1999) and "The Wallflower (Dance with Me, Henry)" (2008), were added to the Grammy Hall of Fame Award. In 2003, she received a special Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Blues Foundation Awards

The Blues Foundation is a group that supports blues music. They nominated Etta James for a Blues Music Award almost every year since 1980. She won a Blues Female Artist of the Year award 14 times since 1989. Her albums Life, Love, & the Blues (1999), Burnin' Down the House (2003), and Let's Roll (2004) won Soul/Blues Album of the Year. In 2001, she was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.

Books About Etta James

• Rage To Survive: The Etta James Story by David Ritz with Etta James ISBN: 9780306812620
• American Legends: The Life of Etta James by Charles River Editors, ISBN: 9781505670493

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See also

In Spanish: Etta James para niños