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Etta James

Etta James (born Jamesetta Hawkins on January 25, 1938) is an American blues, soul, R&B, rock & roll and jazz singer and songwriter. James is the winner of four Grammys and seventeen Blues Music Awards. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Grammy Hall of Fame both in 1999 and 2008. In the 1950s and 60s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer. She is best known for her 1961 ballad "At Last", which has been featured in many movies, television commercials, and web streaming services since its release. James has a contralto vocal range. .

Biography

Jamesetta Hawkins was born in Los Angeles, California to an unmarried 14-year-old African-American mother, Dorothy Hawkins. She claimed that her mother told her that her father was pool player Rudolph "Minnesota Fats" Wanderone, who was Caucasian, and that they received financial support from him on the condition that they keep his paternity a secret. As James was born in Los Angeles in 1938, at a time when Wanderone was known to be managing a pool hall in Washington, D.C. (and was not known to have been the cross-country traveler he became later in life) this seems unlikely, though it has not been definitively disproved.

She received her first professional vocal training at the age of five years old, from James Earle Hines, musical director of the Echoes of Eden choir at St. Paul Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

James' family moved to San Francisco in 1950 and James soon teamed up with two other girls to form a Doo-wop singing group. When the girls were fourteen, band leader Johnny Otis had them audition: they sang an answer to Hank Ballard's "Work With Me, Annie" called "Roll With Me Henry." Otis particularly liked the song, and against her mother's wishes, James and the trio went to Los Angeles to record the song in 1954. The song was recorded under the label Modern Records. By this time, the trio renamed the song "The Wallflower (Dance with Me, Henry)" and released it in 1955. James named her vocal group The Peaches. Richard Berry, a Los Angeles Doo Wop luminary is featured on some of their records.

In 1969 James married Artis Mills and they had two sons Donto and Sametto James.
From Donto and his wife Pamela Berry (rock n roll Louie Louie songwriter Richard Berry's daughter) she has granddaughter Karissia(1995) .

Career

There are at least two versions of how Johnny Otis discovered Etta James. Otis's version is that she came to his hotel room after one of his performances in San Francisco and persuaded him to audition her. Another frequently told story is that Otis spotted her performing in an L.A. nightclub with The Peaches and, having conceived of the answer song to Hank Ballard's "Work With Me, Annie," arranged with the Bihari brothers for Modern Records to record "The Wallflower" with James. "The Wallflower" reached number two on the rhythm and blues charts in February 1955 but was undercut in the wider market by a rushed-out cover version by Georgia Gibbs on Mercury Records.In fact, the very first time she was recorded in studio, they used the first take she recorded and it became number one on the top 100 songs in the nation. The song's royalties were divided between Hank Ballard, Etta James and Johnny Otis, and its huge success attracted the attention of the R&B world, resulting in James going on tour with Little Richard. On the tour, according to James, she witnessed and experienced situations to which minors are not usually privy, and she allegedly acquired a drug habit. Today Etta has a troublesome personality which may have resulted from her past habits .

Career in the 50s

"The Wallflower" was a #1 hit on the R&B charts of 1955. The song was later a hit in the white market for Georgia Gibbs, re-written as "Dance with Me, Henry". Soon after the song's success, The Peaches and Etta parted company, but this did not halt her career. She continued to record and release albums throughout much of the decade, and enjoyed more success. Her follow-up, "Good Rockin' Daddy" was released and became another hit in the fifties. Other songs however, such as "Tough Lover" and "W-O-M-A-N" failed to gain any significant success at all. James toured with Johnny "Guitar" Watson and Otis Redding in the fifties and has cited Watson as the most significant influence on her style.

The Chess Years in the 60s

In 1960, Etta signed a recording contract with Chess Records. Little did she know that she would have the biggest success of her career from this recording label, recording her biggest and most memorable hits. This recording company went into high gear with James, releasing many duets with her then-boyfriend, the married Harvey Fuqua, who was then the lead singer of the Moonglows. One of her duets with Fuqua, called "If I Can't Have You", became a hit on the R&B charts in 1960. As a solo artist however, she had more enduring success. One of her first singles released by Chess in 1960 was called "All I Could Do Was Cry". This Blues number became a big hit for James on the R&B charts in 1960. James' sassy vibe added a significant touch of personality to the song. Leonard Chess, one of the founders of Chess Records, helped James along the way. He saw the potential for James to go into a more Pop-oriented direction. Therefore, James started recording more pop tunes for the label.

The year 1961 became a year of great change for James. In 1961 came the release of one of her first pop-oriented tunes called "At Last". The song became a big hit in 1961, reaching #2 on the R&B charts. The song even went as far as #22 on the Pop charts that year, proving that the Pop crossover direction was becoming successful for her. Although it may have turned out to be less of a hit than expected on the Pop charts, it still made the Top 30. The song became her signature song and the song most people remember her by . Her career had not ended yet though. More success came, following the success of "At Last". Other songs such as "Trust In Me" became hits for her, following the success of her signature tune. The 1962 tune "Something's Got a Hold On Me" (recorded in the UK by Elkie Brooks), showed more of James' Gospel side, a genre she had sung since childhood.

Her 1963 album Etta James Rocks the House, which was cut at Nashville's "New Era" club also gave her career a boost. She had other big hits in the 1960s, but mainly on the R&B charts. The song "Pushover" was a hit for her in 1963. Other hits followed, like "Stop the Wedding", "Fool That I Am" and "Don't Cry Baby", which were all hits for her between 1961 and 1963. From this, James became one of the most successful R&B artists of the 1960s, having many more Top Ten and Top Twenty hit singles on the charts. She has been classified as one of the pioneers of the Blues, being acclaimed to the ranks of artists like B. B. King. Performing in Memphis, Tennessee, the city where blues started didn't hurt James into making her into a blues icon. Between 1965 and 1967, not much other success had followed, in terms of chart success. However, this wasn't to last for very long, in 1967, she would release another single that would become a big hit again, giving her comeback into music once more.

The Chess Years in the 70s, 80s

In 1967, Etta was ready to release her next hit single. The song was called "Tell Mama" and it became a Top Ten hit on the R&B charts that year. The song showed James' comeback, after a dry period of no hits for almost four years. The song made James a household name once more. The follow-up also proved to be just as successful as "Tell Mama" was for her. The song was called "Security" and proved that James had staying power on the charts again. After that, less success came, but James was still on the charts regularly. Despite the death of Leonard Chess, Etta James stayed with the Chess label into 1975. Towards the end of the Chess years though, James went into more rock-based songs. Her career however did not stop once the Chess years came to an end. Etta recorded for numerous other labels and continued to release albums, like 1978's Deep In the Night by Atlantic Records. Etta was able to work with Bruce Robb (producer) for the production, engineering, and mixing of Deep In the Night which has many individual hits and the last album she made for a few years.

Despite a dry period during the early to mid 80s, Etta got back on track and began to record music again. She received accolades for her 1981 rendition of Randy Newman's "God's Song". Her 1988 album Seven Year Itch proved this comeback capability. The album showed more James' Soul side. In 1989, Etta recorded the song "Avenue D" with David A. Stewart of Eurythmics fame. The song was featured on the soundtrack to the Robert Wise film "Rooftops". She also performed with the Grateful Dead for two shows in 1982 demonstrating the diveristy of her admirers. Into the 1990s, she continued to record and perform. Her albums widely varied in styles and genres of music. Her 1992 album The Right Time was another Soul album that was produced by Elektra Records. The album was upbeat as well. She began to record more Jazz music as well, which became the subject for many of her 1990s albums. In 1998 she released a Christmas album called An Etta James Christmas. To a younger generation, Etta is known for the Muddy Waters song "I Just Wanna Make Love to You", used in television commercials for Coca-Cola and for John Smith's bitter (beer). The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry and Foghat have also recorded the song. Etta's version was a surprise Top 10 UK hit in 1996. Drug-related and romantic problems interfered with her career, but James managed to maintain a career throughout the latter half of the 20th century . Later in life, James struggled with obesity. She reached more than 400 pounds, experienced mobility and knee problems, and often needed a wheelchair. In 2003, James underwent gastric bypass surgery and lost over 200 pounds

James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.. She was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001. Her pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. In 2003 she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked her #62 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time .

James won three Grammys: best jazz vocal performance (for Mystery Lady in 1994), Best Contemporary Blues album (for Let's Roll in 2003) and Best Traditional Blues album (for Blues to the Bone in 2004) . A new album was also released in 2006 called All the Way, which was released by RCA Records.

Etta James performed at the top world jazz festivals in the world, such as the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1977, 1989, 1990, and 1993, performed nine times at the legendary Monterey Jazz Festival, and the San Francisco Jazz Festival five times.

Popular Culture

Etta's hit song, "At Last" has been used in numerous commercials advertisement, including but not limited to:

At Last was also used in an episode of The Simpsons.

During a tree flowering scene in Pleasantville (film) At Last is used, as color was appearing to the characters of the movie.

movie trailer to help promote Disney Pixar's comedy romance film, WALL-E.

Selective awards and recognitions

Grammy history

Year	Category	Title	Genre	Label	Result
Etta James Grammy Award History
2008	Grammy Hall of Fame	"The Wallflower" (aka "Roll With Me Henry")	R&B	Argo (1961)	Inducted
2004	Best Traditional Blues Album	Blues To The Bone	Blues	RCA Victor	Winner
2003	Best Contemporary Blues Album	Let's Roll	Blues	Private Music	Winner
2002	Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award				Winner
1999	Grammy Hall of Fame	"At Last"	R&B	Argo (1961)	Inducted
1994	Best Jazz Vocal Performance	Mystery Lady (Songs of Billie Holiday)	Jazz	Private Music	Winner

The Blues Foundation Awards

Year	Category	Title	Result
Etta James: Blues Music Awards
2007	Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year		Winner
2006	Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year		Winner
2004	Soul/Blues Album of the Year	Let's Roll	Winner
2004	Soul/Blues-Female Artist of the Year		Winner
2003	Soul/Blues Album of the Year	Burnin' Down The House	Winner
2003	Soul/Blues-Female Artist of the Year		Winner
2002	Soul/Blues-Female Artist of the Year		Winner
2001	Blues Hall of Fame		Inducted
2001	Soul/Blues-Female Artist of the Year		Winner
2000	Soul/Blues Female Artist of the Year		Winner
1999	Soul/Blues Album of the Year	Life, Love, & The Blues	Winner
1999	Soul/Blues Female Artist of the Year		Winner
1996	Soul/Blues - Female Artist of the Year		Winner
1995	Contemporary Blues-Female Artist of the Year		Winner
1994	Female Blues Vocalist of the Year		Winner
1994	Soul/Blues Female Artist of the Year		Winner
1992	Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year		Winner
1989	Contemporary Blues Female Artist		Winner

Other awards

Year	Company	Category	Result
Etta James Award History
2006	Billboard	R&B Founders Award	Winner
2003	Hollywood Chamber of Commerce	Hollywood Walk of Fame	Star at 7080 Hollywood Blvd.
2003	Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI)	Lifetime Achievement Award	Winner
1993	Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum	Rock and Roll Hall of Fame	Inducted
1990	NAACP	NAACP Image Award	Winner
1989	Rhythm and Blues Foundation	Pioneer Award	Winner

Discography

Chart figures from Billboard magazine. As Billboard did not publish an R&B chart in 1964, for this year only, R&B chart figures are from Cashbox.

Singles

Year	Single	U.S. R&B	U.S.	Album
1955	"The Wallflower (Dance with Me, Henry)"	#1	-	Good Rockin' Mama
1955	"Good Rockin' Daddy"	#6	-	Good Rockin' Mama
1960	"All I Could Do Was Cry"	#2	#33	At Last!
1960	"If I Can't Have You" (with Harvey Fuqua)	#6	#52	At Last!
1960	"My Dearest Darling"	#5	#34	At Last!
1960	"Spoonful" (with Harvey Fuqua)	#12	#78	At Last!
1961	"At Last"	#2	#47	At Last!
1961	"Trust In Me"	#4	#30	At Last!
1961	"A Sunday Kind of Love"			At Last!
1961	"Fool That I Am"	#14	#50	The Second Time Around
1961	"Don't Cry Baby"	#6	#39	The Second Time Around
1961	"Dream"	-	#55	The Second Time Around
1961	"It's Too Soon to Know"	-	#54	The Second Time Around
1961	"Seven Day Fool"	-	#95	The Second Time Around
1962	"Something's Got a Hold on Me"	#4	#37	Etta James Rocks the House
1962	"Stop the Wedding"	#6	#34	Her Greatest Sides
1962	"Next Door to the Blues"	#13	#71	The Essential Etta James
1962	"Fools Rush In"	-	#87
1963	"Would It Make Any Difference To You"	-	#64
1963	"How Do You Talk To An Angel"	-	#109
1963	"Payback"	-	#78	The Chess Box
1963	"Pushover"	#7	#25	Her Greatest Sides
1963	"Two Sides (To Every Story)"	-	#63	The Chess Box
1963	"I Worry Bout You"	-	#118
1964	"Baby What You Want Me to Do"	#35	#82	Etta James Rocks the House
1964	"Loving You More Every Day"	#7	#65	The Essential Etta James
1965	"Do I Make Myself Clear"	-	#96
1966	"In The Basement - Part 1" (with Sugar Pie DeSanto)	#37	#97	The Essential Etta James
1967	"I Prefer You"	#42	-	The Essential Etta James
1967	"Tell Mama"	#10	#23	Tell Mama
1968	"Security"	#11	#35	Tell Mama
1968	"You Got It"	-	#113
1968	"I Got You Babe"	#32	#69	Tell Mama: The Complete Musical Sessions
1969	"Almost Persuaded"	#32	#79	The Essential Etta James
1970	"Losers Weepers - Part 1"	#26	#94	The Essential Etta James
1972	"I Found A Love"	#31	#108	The Chess Box
1973	"All the Way Down"	#29	#101	The Essential Etta James
1974	"Leave Your Hat On"	#76	-	Etta Is Betta Than Evah
1974	"Out on the Street, Again"	#84	-	Come a Little Closer
1976	"Jump Into Love"	#92	-	Etta is Betta Than Evah
1978	"Piece of My Heart"	#93	-	Deep In the Night

Albums

Year	Album	US R&B Albums	US Pop Albums	Top Blues Albums
1961	At Last!	-	#68	-
1961	The Second Time Around	-	-	-
1963	Etta James Top Ten	-	#117	-
1964	Etta James Rocks the House	-	#96	-
1968	Tell Mama	#21	#82	-
1973	Etta James	#41	#154	-
1974	Come a Little Closer	#47	-	-
1978	Deep in the Night	-	-	-
1988	Seven Year Itch	-	-	-
1992	My Greatest Songs	-	-	-
1992	The Right Time	-	-	-
1994	Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday	-	-	- ¹
1995	Time After Time	-	-	- ²
1997	Her Best	-	-	#13
1997	Love's Been Rough on Me	-	-	#6
1998	12 Songs of Christmas	-	-	#5
1998	Life, Love and the Blues	-	-	#3
1999	The Best of Etta James: 20th Century Masters	-	-	#3
1999	The Heart of a Woman	-	-	#4
2000	Matriarch of the Blues	-	-	#2
2001	Blue Gardenia	-	-	- ³
2001	Love Songs	-	-	#2
2002	Burnin' Down the House	-	-	#1
2003	Let's Roll	-	#195	#1
2004	Blues to the Bone	-	-	#4
2006	The Definitive Collection	-	-	#1
2006	All the Way	#10	#33	#3

¹: Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday reached #2 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart.
²: Time After Time reached #5 on Top Jazz Albums.
³: Blue Gardenia reached #1 on Top Jazz Albums.

Deep in the Night was produced, engineered and mixed by Bruce Robb (producer) with Bruce Robb Productions.