It was so hard to battling with the complications of leukemia, suffering from dementia and problems, and finally Etta James, 73, stopped to survive. In December, Mrs. James’ physician announced that her leukemia was terminal and asked for prayers for the singer. The ballad singer, ‘At Least’, died early Friday at Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside, Calif, surrounded by James’ husband, Artis Mills, and her two sons.
Etta James’ disease have revealed months ago, but it’s still shocking when finnaly she really left this world. “It’s a tremendous loss for her fans around the world. She’ll be missed. A great American singer. Her music defied category.” De Leon, Mrs. James’ manager said. De Leon is one of thousand musicians who have impressed and never forget Etta James’ best known song, ‘At Least’. The sympathies also came from Beyonce Knowles. On Friday Beyonce posted on her website, “This is a huge loss. When she effortlessly opened her mouth, you could hear her pain and triumph. Her deeply emotional way of delivering a song told her story with no filter.” In 2008 Beyonce Knowles portrayed her in the film “Cadillac Records,” which loosely depicted the early years of Chess. Beyonce said that Etta James didn’t only taught about music. “One thing Etta taught me is her fearlessness, she was Etta all the time. She did not try to change for anyone. If it weren’t for her crossing over — she was the first African-American woman to cross over on the radio — I wouldn’t have the opportunities I have.” told Beyonce.
Mariah Carey said that she’s sorry to hear the news, she tweeted on Friday, “Rest in peace to one of the world’s most influential singers Etta James, you will be missed.”
“At Last” was a crucial record in the lexicon of Chess as it moved the label from a blues imprint (Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf) to pop. The ballad hit recorded in 1961, just after she signed with Argo, a subsidiary of Chicago’s Chess Records. With her measured contralto, Mrs. James surrendered to the dynamics of an entire relationship: the wanting, the discovery and renewal. The journey was arduous. And she was at the finish line.
Etta James’ impression spanned generations, by her songs, and her dedication. Earlier this year electro-rapper Flo Rida sampled Mrs. James 1962 hit “Something’s Got a Hold On Me” into his hit single “Good Feeling”. The partners agree that for Etta James, musing and singing is more than for the fame, she sings for passion and soul. Mavis Staples, Chicago gospel-soul icon, who partnering with Etta James in 2005 at a festival in Lansing, Mich, said “When a person had a life like Etta had, you know that music was a refuge. Singing was all she had to keep her afloat. We were the same in that we did not have voice coaching or music teachers. She probably knew what key she was singing in, I don’t even know that. Etta James was a soul singer. The other day they asked me to define soul. To me, soul is gut. Etta sang from deep down. She didn’t sing off the top of her head. With soul, you go within to bring out what you want to relate. I loved Etta James.”
So do we, love your voice and your passion. Rest in Peace, Mrs. James.
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