Etta James Singer and Songwriter Performing in Many Genres

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FEMUSINDO.com - Jamesetta Hawkins, known professionally as Etta James, was born in Los Angeles, California, U.S., on January 25, 1938.

She is an American singer and songwriter who performs in various genres, including gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, rock and roll and soul.

James began singing at the age of 14, before she began her career as a solo artist with the record company Chess Records.

Starting a Singing Career

Starting her career in 1954, she gained fame with hits, such as "The Wallflower", "At Last", "Tell Mama", "Something's Got a Hold on Me", and "I'd Rather Go Blind".

James' deep, earthy voice bridged the gap between rhythm and blues and rock and roll. She won six Grammy Awards for her albums.

James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, and the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001.

Greatest Singers of All Time

James received a Grammy lifetime achievement award in 2003. Rolling Stone magazine ranked James at number 22 on its list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.

She was also ranked number 62 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and Billboard's 2015 list of "The 35 Greatest R&B Artists of All Time."

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame called her one of the greatest voices of her century and a "lifelong leader" of the blues.

Etta James died in Riverside, California, United States, on January 20, 2012 at the age of 73 from leukemia. (*)