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Etta James
Born Jamesetta Hawkins, her history began in the early Fifties when the Los Angeles-born singer was first discovered by Johnny Otis while still a teenager. It was the bandleader and talent scout who produced her first hit, the saucy "Dance With Me Henry," which immediately topped R&B charts nationwide. Her tenure with Chess Records began in 1960 and would continue for sixteen incredible years with a string of landmark hits including her signature version of "At Last," "All I Could Do Was Cry," "My Dearest Darling," "Trust In Me," "Something's Got A Hold On Me," "Tell Mama," "Fool That I Am" and "Don't Cry Baby." Together they comprised a run of charting records that ranked Etta third, just behind Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick, as the most prolific female R&B vocalist of her era.
Etta would continue to make definitive blues, soul and R&B music over the next four decades, including her acclaimed 2003 release, Let's Roll, and garnering a reputation as a world class live performer in the process. (Etta-James.com)
Ms. James is pictured here June 9th, 2003 at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN.
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