Etta James: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1993

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/etta-james/bio/

James met Johnny Otis sometime around 1952 and auditioned. Otis helped James and her girl group obtain a record contract.

The Wallflower (1955):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htpx3opKfKw

She signed with Chess Records and debuted for the label in 1960.

All I Could Do Was Cry (1960):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_i-AI61PEo

Her signature song:

At Last (1961):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZXvLsltu2A

Trust in Me (1961):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMIidaxckeU

She began incorporating Gospel music.

Something’s Got a Hold of Me (1962):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzibSiJv8hc

Stop the Wedding (1962):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giAp973TTbc

Pushover (1963):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIElUwOKtJk

Her career suffered a bit after 1965 until…

Tell Mama (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8pcNIGjJX0

I’d Rather Go Blind (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YApNirMC9gM

Almost Persuaded (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8wnoenztnU

All The Way Down (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOnwNIxo_KM

Leonard Chess died in 1969. She battled drug and alcohol addiction for the next decade. She continued to perform, but never achieved the chart success of the sixties.

There’s Something on My Mind w/B.B. King (1993):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQVNz3HTL5Y

Take Me to the River (1995):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kgogV-AMpo

Take My Hand, Precious Lord w/Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight
(2005):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrxcB6mk0hs

In 2008, she was played by Beyonce in Cadillac Records.

Cadillac Records (2008):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZdMqziDPUU

That same year, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Etta James made her last appearance on Dancing with the Stars in 2009 and died in 2012.