The world has lost one of its most beloved voices in blues and jazz music. Etta James has died of complications from her battle with leukemia.
The powerful and versatile singer, also known as Miss Peaches, had an up
and down career spanning more than half a century. She won six Grammys and
opened for the Rolling Stones, but also overcame weight problems and a
heroin addiction.
James told the LA Times in 1992 “A lot of people think the blues is depressing, but that’s not the blues I’m singing. When I’m singing blues, I’m singing life. People that can’t stand to listen to the blues, they’ve got to be phonies.”
Perhaps James’ most indelible musical contribution was her signature version of “At Last,” which was not only covered in an homage by Beyoncé, but by brides everywhere.
