Etta James was a pioneer. Her ever-changing sound has influenced rock and roll, rhythm and blues, pop, soul and jazz artists, marking her place as one of the most important female artists of our time. Despite the reputation she cultivated, she would always be remembered best for "At Last."
"My mother always wanted me to be a jazz singer, but I always wanted to be raunchy," she recalled in her book.
She was doing just that when bandleader Johnny Otis found her singing on San Francisco street corners with some girlfriends in the early 1950s. Otis, a legend in his own right, died on Tuesday.
Her health went into decline, however, and by 2011, she was being cared for at home by a personal doctor.
She suffered from dementia, kidney problems and leukemia. Her physician announced that her leukemia was terminal, and asked for prayers for the singer. Iit was announced that James was retiring from recording. The 73-year-old died on Friday at Riverside Community Hospital from complications of leukemia, with her husband and sons at her side
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