Image ofEtta James

Etta James

Musician
Forfans of classic soul, blues and r&b; listeners who appreciate powerful vintage vocalists.
2 Reviews 3 Definitions 45 Charts
R'n'b Blues Soul

The Profile

Born Jamesetta Hawkins, Etta James was an American singer discovered by Johnny Otis and signed to Chess Records. Celebrated for R&B, soul and blues performances, she recorded landmark albums including At Last and Tell Mama. She struggled with drug addiction and later health problems, and died in 2012.

Renowned for signature songs such as "At Last" and "I'd Rather Go Blind." Discovered by Johnny Otis and recorded for Chess Records. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1993).

Two DeBaser reviews praise Etta James's power and range, highlighting At Last and Tell Mama as landmark records. Reviewers emphasize her raw, passionate voice and the emotional depth of songs like "I'd Rather Go Blind". Accounts also note her personal struggles with addiction and later health problems, and her lasting influence on soul and blues.

Notable Quotes

❝

If Mahalia Jackson is "Lady Gospel," if Aretha Franklin is "Lady Soul," and Billie Holiday is "Lady Jazz," Etta James was surely "Lady Blues."
❝

Tell Mama is one of those magical and enchanted records that after listening to it for the first time, you know you can't do without it.
Loading

You and Etta James

Log in to DeBaser
 Send an image  Send a work

Who knows Etta James?

Loading...
Add image
Image Id: 83367 Resolution: 406 x 600
Image Id: 12190 Resolution: 126 x 121