Legendary singer Etta James has passed away at a hospital in Riverside, California at the age of 73.
Etta’s health problems over the last few years included suffering from dementia and Hepatitis C as well as being diagnosed with leukemia in 2010. Her doctor announced last month that her leukemia had been declared incurable.
A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Etta has won six Grammys including Best Jazz Vocal Performance in 1994 for the album Mystery Lady, Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2003 for Let’s Roll, Best Traditional Blues Album for Blues To The Bone in 2004, and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. Two songs from early in her career have garnered Grammy Hall of Fame Awards for “qualitative or historical significance”: “At Last“, in 1999, and “The Wallflower (Dance with Me, Henry)” in 2008.
Here is “At Last,” Etta’s most famous recording and one of the cornerstones of any list of The Greatest Songs of All Time:
And from the past to the present, here is Flo Rida’s single “Good Feeling” which features a lot of sampling from Etta James’ 1962 song “Something’s Got a Hold On Me:”
And here is a brief interview with Etta James and Christina Aguilera by In Style:
(CLICK HERE to watch a clip of Etta James reflecting on her career after receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.)
Rest in peace Etta, and thanks for all the beautiful songs.
