Singing legend Etta James dies at 73

[qanda]

(CNN) -- Etta James, whose assertive, earthy voice lit up such hits as "The Wallflower" "Something's Got a Hold on Me" and the wedding favorite "At Last," has died, according to her longtime friend and manager, Lupe De Leon. She was 73 and had been diagnosed with leukemia in 2010.

James, who also suffered from dementia and hepatitis C, died at a hopsital in Riverside, California.

The powerhouse singer, known as "Miss Peaches," lived an eventful life. She first hit the charts as a teenager, taking "The Wallflower (Roll With Me, Henry)" -- an "answer record" to Hank Ballard's "Work With Me, Annie" -- to No. 1 on the R&B charts in 1955. She joined Chess Records in 1960 and had a string of R&B and pop hits, many with lush string arrangements. After a mid-decade fade, she re-emerged in 1967 with a more hard-edged, soulful sound.

Throughout her career, James overcame a heroin addiction, opened for the Rolling Stones, won six Grammys and was voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Despite her ups and downs -- including a number of health problems -- she maintained an optimistic attitude.

More at Link

RIP Etta James

[Solly Mack]

1. K&R

[hlthe2b]

2. A very talented woman... RIP, Ms. James

[AngryAmish]

3. First Merle Haggard, now this

Bad week for legends.

[jberryhill]

13. These things come in threes, you know...

Makes you wonder who is next.

[JohnnyRingo]

17. Johnny Otis died yesterday

Maybe that counts as the third.
He was the writer of Willie and the Hand Jive, and ironically the man who discovered Etta James, so the R&B community took quite a hit this week.

Read more:
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-johnny-otis-20120119,0,2183487.story

[klook]

25. Oh man -- didn't know about Johnny Otis

He was an amazing guy. For this White person to choose a Black identity in the late 1930s / early '40s, and to make so many great musical contributions as a part of that culture (not by stealing / diluting as is the standard practice) always struck me as one of the great stories of American life. He was a big influence on Frank Zappa, and on many others, especially in L.A., I'm sure.

[MountainLaurel]

18. What?!

Off to the Googles.

[JohnnyRingo]

19. I can't find anything about Merle Haggard....

What do you know about his death?

[jberryhill]

20. Several DU threads

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002184981
Just heard on the radio station that Merle Haggard has passed away...(edited)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002189097
Can we have a loud thread in honor of Merle Haggard being alive?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/124032233
Jurors can't see any problem with posting that someone is dead (who is alive)

Nobody has checked on him today, though.

[JohnnyRingo]

21. Doesn't look good for him, does it?

I like Haggard, it's sad.
I wish him a good recovery and hope the reports of his passing remain overstated.

[olddad56]

26. I can't find any ifnormation on the passing of Merle Haggard.

That is not to say I don't believe you. I knew that he had been hospitalized.

[frogmarch]

35. Merle Haggard leaving the hospital today

alive.

Article from around 5 minutes ago:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2012/01/merle-haggard-pneumonia-release-hospital-country.html

snip:

Merle Haggard is being released today, Jan. 20, from the hospital in Macon, Ga., where he was admitted earlier this week to be treated for pneumonia. Doctors expect the 74-year-old country singer and songwriter to make a full recovery and be able to resume his touring schedule in February after having to postpone seven shows this month to get treatment for his illness, his spokeswoman said Friday.

[Scuba]

4. ...

[maddezmom]

34. that songs always gives me the chills

RIP Etta....you will always be remembered and loved through your voice.

[davsand]

5. How very sad. She had the most amazing voice!

Was lucky enough to see her perform live one time and it was one of the best shows I've ever seen. Safe passage, Etta. You will be missed.




Laura

[gateley]

6. She gave us so much. May she rest in peace. nt

[nirvana555]

7. R.I.P. to Etta James. n/t

[niyad]

8. requiescat in pacem, dear lady. you brought many hours of joy to my life.

I pray for comfort and ease for her loved ones.

[bathroommonkey76]

9. RIP n/t

[mysuzuki2]

10. Truly a shame.

I understand that she was discovered by Johnny Otis who passed away yesterday. Hopefully, they are doing the Hand Jive together somewhere.

[BumRushDaShow]

11. R.I.P.

Hope she is at peace now.

[pinto]

12. RIP Etta...

One of a kind.

[Hotler]

14. RIP Mrs. James. Not a hit, but one of my favorites.

[Bolo Boffin]

15. :(

[Tikki]

16. Johnny Otis who passed away yesterday had a strong link to Miss Etta...

RIP Etta and Johnny O.



The Tikkis

[olddad56]

22. RIP James Etta Hawkins, one of the very best. link to my favorite Etta James song.

Such a beautiful, soulful voice. My favorite Etta James song was 'Sunday Kind of Love'.

A lot of people don't know that her given name at birth was James Etta Hawkins. Always wondered why someone would name their daughter James.

[xxqqqzme]

24. I had an Aunt Jimmie

for that very reason. Maybe it is a southern thing. (That side of the family was from the south)

[suffragette]

23. K&R

[AllyCat]

27. Thank you Ms. James for everything you shared with us.

Godspeed to you and peace to your family in time.

[Ecumenist]

28. Bless her heart, she's at peace now.. no more pain, confusion or fear..

RIP, girl! You done good

[Tx4obama]

29. R.I.P. :( n/t

[Hoosier]

30. RIP

BB + Etta

[Bill O-Rights]

31. Her recording of "At Last" has been one of my most favorites for many years. Still is.

Not many real singers left, they're mostly screamers.

[kas125]

32. Etta James & Grateful Dead - Hard To Handle 12-31-1982

At the 1982 GD New Year's Eve show she did four songs with them. This is one of them -

[nolabear]

33. Breaks my heart. Alzheimers is called The Thief for good reason.

She'll be missed.

[ET Awful]

36. She'll be missed.

RIP Etta.

[azurnoir]

39. Thanks RIP Etta n/t

[Arctic Dave]

37. One of my Grandparents and my favorite singers. RIP

[slay]

38. Etta James -- "I Sing The Blues" (vid)

RIP Etta James - powerful bluewoman. (*on edit - vid is just a song on youtube put to pics, not a live perfomance)


Etta James -- "I Sing The Blues" -- Down and Dirty Blues --

[Mosaic]

40. I'm saddened by this

I wasn't a big fan, but a lady I dated once had 'At Last' on her cell whenever I would call her. Alas, it wasn't meant to be, still trying to find true love on the internet. Rest in peace Etta.