Difference between revisions of "Etta James" - New World Encyclopedia
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==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
| − | James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 | + | James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and was inducted into the [[Blues Hall of Fame]] in 2001. Her pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the [[Rockabilly Hall of Fame]]. In 2003, she received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2004, [[Rolling Stone Magazine]] ranked her #62 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time]. |
James won three Grammys: best jazz vocal performance (for Mystery Lady in 1994), Best Contemporary Blues album (for ''[[Let's Roll (album)|Let's Roll]]'' in 2003), and Best Traditional Blues album for ''Blues to the Bone'' in 2004. A new album was also released in 2006 called ''All the Way'', which was released by [[RCA Records]]. | James won three Grammys: best jazz vocal performance (for Mystery Lady in 1994), Best Contemporary Blues album (for ''[[Let's Roll (album)|Let's Roll]]'' in 2003), and Best Traditional Blues album for ''Blues to the Bone'' in 2004. A new album was also released in 2006 called ''All the Way'', which was released by [[RCA Records]]. | ||
| − | Etta James performed at the top world jazz festivals in the world, such as the [[Montreux Jazz Festival]] in 1977, 1989, 1990, and 1993 | + | Etta James performed at the top world jazz festivals in the world, such as the [[Montreux Jazz Festival]] in 1977, 1989, 1990, and 1993; sang nine times at the legendary [[Monterey Jazz Festival]], and the [[San Francisco Jazz Festival]] five times. She is still touring in 2008. |
==Selective awards and recognitions== | ==Selective awards and recognitions== | ||
Revision as of 15:40, 10 August 2008
| Etta James | |
|---|---|
 Etta James in 1990
| |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jamesetta Hawkins |
| Born | January 25 1938 (age 86) |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Genre(s) | Blues Soul R&B Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Songwriter |
| Years active | 1954 – Present |
| Label(s) | Chess (1960–1975) Atlantic Private RCA (2006–present) |
| Associated acts |
Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday |
| Website | Etta-James.com |
Etta James (born Jamesetta Hawkins on January 25, 1938) is an American blues, soul, R&B, and jazz singer and songwriter, who had her biggest success in the 1950s and 1960s. She is best known for her 1961 ballad "At Last," which has been classified as a "timeless classic" and has been featured in many movies and television commercials since its release. A Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
Biography
Early life and career
Jamesetta Hawkins was born in Los Angeles, California to an unmarried 14-year-old, African-American mother, Dorothy Hawkins. She received her first professional vocal training at the age of five, from James Earle Hines, a choir director at St. Paul Baptist Church in Los Angeles.
James' family moved to San Francisco in 1950 and she soon teamed up with two other girls to form a doo-wop singing group. When the girls were 14, band leader Johnny Otis auditioned them. They sang an answer to Hank Ballard's "Work With Me, Annie" called "Roll With Me Henry." Otis liked the song, and against her mother's wishes, James and the trio went to Los Angeles to record it in 1954. The trio renamed the song "The Wallflower (Dance with Me, Henry)" and released it in 1955. James named her vocal group The Peaches.
Success
James' version of "The Wallflower" reached number two on the rhythm and blues charts in February 1955, but was undercut in the wider market by a rushed-out cover version by Georgia Gibbs on Mercury Records. Titled "Dance With Me Henry," Gibb's version of the song became a number-one hit on the pop charts. The song's royalties were divided between Hank Ballard, Etta James, and Johnny Otis, and its huge success attracted the attention of the R&B world, resulting in James going on tour with Little Richard. On the tour, she witnessed and experienced situations to which minors are not usually privy, and she allegedly acquired a drug habit.
Soon after the success of "Dance With Me Henry," The Peaches and James parted company, but this did not halt her career. James continued to record and release albums throughout much of the decade, and enjoyed more success. Her follow-up, "Good Rockin' Daddy" was released and became another hit in the 1950s. Other songs however, such as "Tough Lover" and "W-O-M-A-N" failed to gain any significant success at all. James toured with Johnny "Guitar" Watson and Otis Redding in the 1950s, and has cited Watson as the most significant influence on her style.
At 21, James was battling with a heroin addiction. She eventually went to rehab in 1973.
The Chess Years in the 1960s
In 1960, James signed a recording contract with Chess Records. Little did she know that she would have the biggest success of her career from this recording label, recording her biggest and most memorable hits. This recording company went into high gear with James, releasing many duets with her then boyfriend, the married Harvey Fuqua, who was then the lead singer of the Moonglows. One of her duets with Fuqua, called "If I Can't Have You," became a hit on the R&B charts in 1960. As a solo artist, however, she had more enduring success.
One of her first singles released by Chess in 1960 was called "All I Could Do Was Cry." This Blues number became a big hit for James on the R&B charts in 1960. Her sassy vibe added a significant touch of personality to the song. Leonard Chess, one of the founders of Chess Records, helped James along the way. He saw the potential for her to go into a more Pop-oriented direction. Therefore, James started recording more pop tunes for the label.
The year 1961 became a year of great change for James. In 1961 came the release of one of her first pop-oriented tunes called "At Last." The song became a big hit in 1961, reaching #2 on the R&B charts. The song even went as far as #22 on the Pop charts that year, proving that the Pop crossover direction was becoming successful for her. Although it may have turned out to be less of a hit than expected on the Pop charts, it still made the Top 30. The song became her signature song and the song most people remember her by.
Jamnes' career had not ended yet though. More success came, following the success of "At Last." Other songs such as "Trust In Me" became hits for her, following the success of her signature tune. The 1962 tune "Something's Got a Hold On Me" (recorded in the UK by Elkie Brooks), showed more of James' Gospel side, a genre she had sung since childhood.
Her 1963 album Etta James Rocks the House, which was cut at Nashville's "New Era" club also gave her career a boost. She had other big hits in the 1960s, but mainly on the R&B charts. The song "Pushover" was a hit for her in 1963. Other hits followed, like "Stop the Wedding," "Fool That I Am" and "Don't Cry Baby," which were all hits for her between 1961 and 1963. From this, James became one of the most successful R&B artists of the 1960s, having many more Top Ten and Top-Twenty hit singles on the charts. She has been classified as one of the pioneers of the Blues, being acclaimed to the ranks of artists like B.B. King.
Performing in Memphis, Tennessee, the city where blues started, helped make her a blues icon. Between 1965 and 1967, not much other success had followed, in terms of chart success. However, this wasn't to last for very long, in 1967, she would release another single that would become a big hit again, giving her comeback into music once more.
The Chess Years in the 1970s, 1980s, and Onward
In 1967, James was ready to release her next hit single, "Tell Mama," and it became a Top-Ten hit on the R&B charts that year. The song showed James' comeback, after a dry period of no hits for almost four years. The song made James a household name once more. The follow-up also proved to be just as successful as "Tell Mama" was for her. The song was called "Security" and proved that James had staying power on the charts again.
After that, less success came, but James was still on the charts regularly. Despite the death of Leonard Chess, Etta James stayed with the Chess label into 1975. Towards the end of the Chess years though, James went into more rock-based songs. Her career however did not stop once the Chess years came to an end. Etta recorded for numerous other labels and continued to release albums, like 1978's Deep In the Night by Atlantic Records.
Despite a dry period during the early to mid 1980s, Etta got back on track and began to record music again. She received accolades for her 1981 rendition of Randy Newman's "God's Song." Her 1988 album Seven Year Itch proved this comeback ability. The album showed more James' Soul side. In 1989, Etta recorded the song "Avenue D" with David A. Stewart of Eurythmics fame. The song was featured on the soundtrack to the Robert Wise film "Rooftops." She also performed with the Grateful Dead for two shows in 1982, demonstrating the diveristy of her admirers.
Into the 1990s, she continued to record and perform. Her albums widely varied in styles and genres of music. Her 1992 album The Right Time was another Soul album that was produced by Elektra Records. The album was upbeat as well. She began to record more Jazz music as well, which became the subject for many of her 1990s albums. In 1998, she released a Christmas album called An Etta James Christmas. To a younger generation, Etta is known for the Muddy Waters song "I Just Wanna Make Love to You," used in television commercials for Coca-Cola and for John Smith's bitter (beer). The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, and Foghat have also recorded the song. James' version was a surprise Top-Ten UK hit in 1995.
Drug-related and romantic problems interfered with her career, but James managed to maintain a career throughout the latter half of the twentieth century. Later in life, James struggled with obesity. She reached more than 400 pounds, experienced mobility and knee problems, and often needed a wheelchair. In 2003, James underwent gastric bypass surgery and lost over 200 pounds.
Legacy
James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001. Her pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. In 2003, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked her #62 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time].
James won three Grammys: best jazz vocal performance (for Mystery Lady in 1994), Best Contemporary Blues album (for Let's Roll in 2003), and Best Traditional Blues album for Blues to the Bone in 2004. A new album was also released in 2006 called All the Way, which was released by RCA Records.
Etta James performed at the top world jazz festivals in the world, such as the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1977, 1989, 1990, and 1993; sang nine times at the legendary Monterey Jazz Festival, and the San Francisco Jazz Festival five times. She is still touring in 2008.
Selective awards and recognitions
Grammy history
| Etta James Grammy Award History | |||||
| Year | Category | Title | Genre | Label | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Grammy Hall of Fame | "The Wallflower" (aka "Roll With Me Henry") | R&B | Argo (1961) | Inducted[1] |
| 2004 | Best Traditional Blues Album | Blues To The Bone | Blues | RCA Victor | Winner |
| 2003 | Best Contemporary Blues Album | Let's Roll | Blues | Private Music | Winner |
| 2002 | Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award | Winner | |||
| 1999 | Grammy Hall of Fame | "At Last" | R&B | Argo (1961) | Inducted[2] |
| 1994 | Best Jazz Vocal Performance | Mystery Lady (Songs of Billie Holiday) | Jazz | Private Music | Winner |
The Blues Foundation Awards
| Etta James: Blues Music Awards[3] | ||||
| Year | Category | Title | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year | Winner | ||
| 2006 | Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year | Winner | ||
| 2004 | Soul/Blues Album of the Year | Let's Roll | Winner | |
| 2004 | Soul/Blues-Female Artist of the Year | Winner | ||
| 2003 | Soul/Blues Album of the Year | Burnin' Down The House | Winner | |
| 2003 | Soul/Blues-Female Artist of the Year | Winner | ||
| 2002 | Soul/Blues-Female Artist of the Year | Winner | ||
| 2001 | Blues Hall of Fame | Inducted | ||
| 2001 | Soul/Blues-Female Artist of the Year | Winner | ||
| 2000 | Soul/Blues Female Artist of the Year | Winner | ||
| 1999 | Soul/Blues Album of the Year | Life, Love, & The Blues | Winner | |
| 1999 | Soul/Blues Female Artist of the Year | Winner | ||
| 1996 | Soul/Blues - Female Artist of the Year | Winner | ||
| 1995 | Contemporary Blues-Female Artist of the Year | Winner | ||
| 1994 | Female Blues Vocalist of the Year | Winner | ||
| 1994 | Soul/Blues Female Artist of the Year | Winner | ||
| 1992 | Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year | Winner | ||
| 1989 | Contemporary Blues Female Artist | Winner | ||
Other awards
| Etta James Award History | ||||
| Year | Company | Category | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Billboard[4] | R&B Founders Award | Winner | |
| 2003 | Hollywood Chamber of Commerce | Hollywood Walk of Fame | Star at 7080 Hollywood Blvd. | |
| 2003 | Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI)[5] | Lifetime Achievement Award | Winner | |
| 1993 | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame | Inducted | |
| 1990 | NAACP | NAACP Image Award | Winner | |
| 1989 | Rhythm and Blues Foundation | Pioneer Award | Winner | |
Discography
Chart figures from Billboard magazine. As Billboard did not publish an R&B chart in 1964, for this year only, R&B chart figures are from Cashbox.
Singles
| Year | Single | U.S. R&B | U.S. | Album |
| 1955 | "The Wallflower (Dance with Me, Henry)" | #1 | - | Good Rockin' Mama |
| 1955 | "Good Rockin' Daddy" | #6 | - | Good Rockin' Mama |
| 1960 | "All I Could Do Was Cry" | #2 | #33 | At Last! |
| 1960 | "If I Can't Have You" (with Harvey Fuqua) | #6 | #52 | At Last! |
| 1960 | "My Dearest Darling" | #5 | #34 | At Last! |
| 1960 | "Spoonful" (with Harvey Fuqua) | #12 | #78 | At Last! |
| 1961 | "At Last" | #2 | #47 | At Last! |
| 1961 | "Trust In Me" | #4 | #30 | At Last! |
| 1961 | "A Sunday Kind of Love" | At Last! | ||
| 1961 | "Fool That I Am" | #14 | #50 | The Second Time Around |
| 1961 | "Don't Cry Baby" | #6 | #39 | The Second Time Around |
| 1961 | "Dream" | - | #55 | The Second Time Around |
| 1961 | "It's Too Soon to Know" | - | #54 | The Second Time Around |
| 1961 | "Seven Day Fool" | - | #95 | The Second Time Around |
| 1962 | "Something's Got a Hold on Me" | #4 | #37 | Etta James Rocks the House |
| 1962 | "Stop the Wedding" | #6 | #34 | Her Greatest Sides |
| 1962 | "Next Door to the Blues" | #13 | #71 | The Essential Etta James |
| 1962 | "Fools Rush In" | - | #87 | |
| 1963 | "Would It Make Any Difference To You" | - | #64 | |
| 1963 | "How Do You Talk To An Angel" | - | #109 | |
| 1963 | "Payback" | - | #78 | The Chess Box |
| 1963 | "Pushover" | #7 | #25 | Her Greatest Sides |
| 1963 | "Two Sides (To Every Story)" | - | #63 | The Chess Box |
| 1963 | "I Worry Bout You" | - | #118 | |
| 1964 | "Baby What You Want Me to Do" | #35 | #82 | Etta James Rocks the House |
| 1964 | "Loving You More Every Day" | #7 | #65 | The Essential Etta James |
| 1965 | "Do I Make Myself Clear" | - | #96 | |
| 1966 | "In The Basement - Part 1" (with Sugar Pie DeSanto) | #37 | #97 | The Essential Etta James |
| 1967 | "I Prefer You" | #42 | - | The Essential Etta James |
| 1967 | "Tell Mama" | #10 | #23 | Tell Mama |
| 1968 | "Security" | #11 | #35 | Tell Mama |
| 1968 | "You Got It" | - | #113 | |
| 1968 | "I Got You Babe" | #32 | #69 | Tell Mama: The Complete Musical Sessions |
| 1969 | "Almost Persuaded" | #32 | #79 | The Essential Etta James |
| 1970 | "Losers Weepers - Part 1" | #26 | #94 | The Essential Etta James |
| 1972 | "I Found A Love" | #31 | #108 | The Chess Box |
| 1973 | "All the Way Down" | #29 | #101 | The Essential Etta James |
| 1974 | "Leave Your Hat On" | #76 | - | Etta Is Betta Than Evah |
| 1974 | "Out on the Street, Again" | #84 | - | Come a Little Closer |
| 1976 | "Jump Into Love" | #92 | - | Etta is Betta Than Evah |
| 1978 | "Piece of My Heart" | #93 | - | Deep In the Night |
Selected Albums
| Year | Album | US R&B Albums | US Pop Albums | Top Blues Albums |
| 1961 | At Last! | - | #68 | - |
| 1961 | The Second Time Around | - | - | - |
| 1963 | Etta James Top Ten | - | #117 | - |
| 1964 | Etta James Rocks the House | - | #96 | - |
| 1968 | Tell Mama | #21 | #82 | - |
| 1973 | Etta James | #41 | #154 | - |
| 1974 | Come a Little Closer | #47 | - | - |
| 1994 | Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday | - | - | - 1 |
| 1995 | Time After Time | - | - | - 2 |
| 1997 | Her Best | - | - | #13 |
| 1997 | Love's Been Rough on Me | - | - | #6 |
| 1998 | 12 Songs of Christmas | - | - | #5 |
| 1998 | Life, Love and the Blues | - | - | #3 |
| 1999 | The Best of Etta James: 20th Century Masters | - | - | #3 |
| 1999 | The Heart of a Woman | - | - | #4 |
| 2000 | Matriarch of the Blues | - | - | #2 |
| 2001 | Blue Gardenia | - | - | - 3 |
| 2001 | Love Songs | - | - | #2 |
| 2002 | Burnin' Down the House | - | - | #1 |
| 2003 | Let's Roll | - | #195 | #1 |
| 2004 | Blues to the Bone | - | - | #4 |
| 2006 | The Definitive Collection | - | - | #1 |
| 2006 | All the Way | #10 | #33 | #3 |
1: Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday reached #2 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart.
2: Time After Time reached #5 on Top Jazz Albums.
3: Blue Gardenia reached #1 on Top Jazz Albums.
Footnotes
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Gulla, Bob. Icons of R&B and Soul: An Encyclopedia of the Artists Who Revolutionized Rhythm. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2008. ISBN 978-0313340451
- Jackson, Buzzy. A Bad Woman Feeling Good: Blues and the Women Who Sang Them. New York: W.W. Norton, 2005. ISBN 978-0393059366
- James, Etta, and Ritz David. Rage to Survive: The Etta James Story. New York: Villard Books, 1995. ISBN 978-0679423287
External links
- Official website
- Etta James at All Music Guide
- Etta James at the Internet Movie Database
- Discography
Credits
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