RIP Etta James

Her life was forever destined to be dependent on her beautiful voice.

1938-2012

Born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles to a black 14 year old girl could be considered a very rough hand to be dealt, especially when it is rumored that your father was white man. In 1938, the recession was wrapping up and R&B, blues and jazz were sweeping the nation. Without the help of her supposed pool player father, Etta James rose far above the caste into which she was born and into the limelight.

Her mother was rarely present and somewhat of a mystery, thus she was reared by caretakers, the most notable being Sarge and Mama Lu. Her career began in the church where she took her first lessons and drew her first crowds.

At 14, her mother took her to San Francisco and she began to listen to doo-wop. This was big for James and formed her first girl group, the Creolettes, named for her relatively light complexion. Though the story is unclear as to how exactly this happened, it was during this time that James met Johnny Otis and signed to Modern Records. She experienced a fair amount of success but her singles never quite evolved in a career that had consistent commercial success.

In the 1960s James signed with Chess Records, which is when she first sang the above hit "All I Could Do Was Cry." It was also during this period she released her signature song "At Last", though it did not receive as much notoriety when it was released as it does now.

In 2004 James was honored by Rolling Stones as one of the most influential musicians of all time and her sound will forever be remember as one that endured through the ages and gracefully evolved with trend and time.

Jamesetta, you will forever be remember as a beautiful voice and a compelling woman. Blues and soul are much better having had you. Now all we all can do is cry.