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Etta James dies aged 73

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:16:00 +0000

Etta James died today from complications of leukaemia, aged 73. Etta passed away at Riverside Community Hospital in California with her husband and sons at her side.

Etta was born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles on January 25, 1938 and began singing in a church choir before moving to San Francisco where she formed a group called the Creolettes with two other girls. The group were auditioned by Johnny Otis, who renamed them The Peaches and also came up with the Etta James stage name. Otis, who died earlier this week, would write and produce their number one R&B hit, “The Wallflower,” also known as “Roll With Me, Henry” and “Dance With Me, Henry.”

“The Wallflower” – Etta James

After The Peaches broke up, Etta set about trying to forge a solo career and had a number of minor hits before signing to Chess Records in 1960. Within a year she had released the album “At Last,” the title track of which would become her signature tune and one of the most enduring songs of the era.

“At Last” – Etta James

Also on the “At Last” album and on the B-side of the “At Last” single was Etta’s superb interpretation of the Muddy Waters classic “I Just Want To Make Love To You.” This would become her biggest ever UK hit when it reached number five on the singles chart in 1996 after appearing in a Diet Coke commercial.

“I Just Want To Make Love To You” – Etta James

Despite her obvious talent, Etta found it difficult to achieve mainstream success as the decade progressed, but there were real highlights, including the classic soul ballad “I’d Rather Go Blind,” which was recorded in 1967.

“I’d Rather Go Blind” – Etta James

Things would get worse in the next decade as she spent time in rehab and behind bars due to her drug problems. After a long battle, she finally beat her addiction in 1988 and began a more productive period in her career, beginning with the release of the “Seven Year Itch” album. This was followed by her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and the release of an acclaimed collection of Billie Holiday songs titled “Mystery Lady” which earned Etta her first Grammy award in 1994. The first Grammy had been a long time coming, but more would follow with the albums “Let’s Roll” (2004) and “Blues to the Bone” (2005) both being recognised. She was also awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.

Etta was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2008 and leukaemia in early 2011.

Many artists have already paid tribute to Etta James, including the following:

Beyonce – “This is a huge loss. Etta James was one of the greatest vocalists of our time. I am so fortunate to have met such a queen. Her musical contributions will last a lifetime. Playing Etta James taught me so much about myself, and singing her music inspired me to be a stronger artist. 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. She was fearless, and had guts. She will be missed.”

Aretha Franklin – “Etta James was one of the great soul singers of our generation. An American original! I loved Pushover, At Last and almost any and everything she recorded!!! When Etta SUNG, you heard it!”

Mariah Carey – “Rest in peace to one of the world’s most influential singers Etta James, you will be missed.”

Kelly Rowland – “Classic. One of a kind. Pure soul. Etta James! Thank You for gracing us with your incredible talent & presence!”

Chaka Khan – “Rest in peace Etta James. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.”

will.i.am – “Showing respect appreciation and love for all the wonderful music and joy Etta James brought to the world.”

Pink – “RIP to the late and great Etta James. Your voice and your fight inspired me and many. I love that through recordings, people can live forever.”

Cyndi Lauper – “Omg, we lost Etta James today. May she rest in peace and thank you Etta for all the wonderful singing you left behind for us. I’ll miss her.”

Jessie J – “Just been told the legend that is Etta James has passed. Thank you for your voice your dedication to us and your gift. Your voice is timeless and will forever live on. I will always look to you for inspiration. RIP.”

LeAnn Rimes – “RIP to the wonderfully soulful Etta James. You will always be in our heart & on our radios. What a voice, a sad loss.”

Steve Winwood – “Etta James… You’ll be missed.”

Slash – “Deeply saddened by the loss of Etta James, a true legend in our time. RIP.”

Nikki Sixx – “RIP Etta James. Your music soothed and ignited passion in so many of us.”

“A Complete Introduction to Chess” 4-CD box set – review

admin — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:28:12 +0000

Opening with Jackie Brenton and His Delta Cats’ classic “Rocket 88,” this four-CD box set features many of the strongest cuts released by Chess Records over a 20-year period.

“A Complete Introduction to Chess” closes less auspiciously with Chuck Berry’s “My Ding-a-Ling,” but thankfully we are treated to some of Chuck’s more significant tracks along the way, including “Maybellene,” “Johnny B. Goode” and “No Particular Place to Go.”

Chicago-based brothers Leonard and Phil Chess bought into Aristocrat Records in the late 1940s and began focussing on jazz and blues recordings. By the time the label’s name was changed to Chess Records in 1950, it had a roster of blues artists who would become legends in the blues world, including Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and Little Walter. The Chess brothers were also finding talent from outside Chicago, with Sam Phillips in Memphis providing recordings by a number of great artists, including Rufus Thomas, Joe Hill Louis, Bobby Bland and Howlin’ Wolf.

This four-CD set includes some of the best R&B and rock “n” roll music ever recorded. Chuck Berry is most prominently featured, with six tracks, and there are also five each from Etta James, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters; three each from John Lee Hooker, Little Walter, Bo Diddley; and two a piece from Solomon Burke, Willie Dixon and Fontella Bass, whose classic soul single “Rescue Me” opens disc three.

Many of the songs featured on this set have charted more than once or had a new lease of life when featured in a commercial, movie or television show. It is timeless music that has lived on much longer than the label for which it was recorded and it will continue to do so.

The box set achieves what its title promises, delivering an excellent introduction to the music of Chess Records.

Available now from:

Harvey Fuqua dies aged 80

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:01:18 +0000

Harvey Fuqua died on Tuesday at a hospital in Detroit from “coronary problems” linked to an unspecified illness. He was 80-years-old.

Fuqua was a founding member of the doo-wop group the Moonglows and went on to become an important figure in the development of the Motown label.

The Moonglows began life as the Crazy Sounds in the early 1950s and were renamed the Moonglows when taken under the wing of disc jockey Alan Freed. After a brief stint on Freed’s Champagne label, the Moonglows began recording for Chess Records in 1954. Among their hits were “Sincerely” and “Ten Commandments of Love.” Fuqua shared lead vocal duties with Bobby Lester.

By 1957, the Moonglows had a different line up, because Fuqua had sacked the other members. A young Marvin Gaye was the new lead singer. At this point, the group became known as Harvey and the Moonglows, but it was a short-lived arrangement.

The Moonglows were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

While at Chess Records, Fuqua also found time to record duets with Etta James, including the R&B hits “If I Can’t Have You” and “Spoonful.” Here’s the former:

After leaving the Moonglows, Fuqua started his own record labels, Tri-Phi Records and Harvey Records, but soon tired of this and began working for Motown. Fuqua was an important figure at Motown, bringing in new talent, mentoring artists and producing hit records. Among the great hits he produced was Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” He continued working with Motown until 1971 and then became a producer for RCA Records, working on records by New Birth, The Weather Girls and Sylvester, among others.

Fuqua’s association with Marvin Gaye continued in 1982, when he produced the “Midnight Love” album, featuring the smash hit “Sexual Healing.”

On hearing of Fuqua’s death, Motown found Berry Gordy said:

“We are all so saddened to hear of the passing of one of our greatest family members. Harvey Fuqua was a pioneer in his own right, bringing in and mentoring Marvin Gaye, Lamont Dozier and others, in the early years of Motown. An incredible performer, producer, writer and executive, heading our Artist Development Department – Harvey did it all. We will always love and miss him.”

Rest in peace Harvey Fuqua.

American music legends series

admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:07:30 +0000

The Observor has produced a great series on some of some of the living legends of American music, as recalled by the stars they influenced.

In addition, photographer Jamie-James Medina spent a year taking portraits of these legends for Observor Music Monthly. The results are impressive and are presented with the articles.

The following articles are included in the series:

Jerry Lee Lewis: the hellfire pianist by Ray Davies

Chuck Berry: hail, hail, rock ‘n’ roll by Bobby Gillespie

Little Richard: the outrageous pianist by Richard Hawley

Pete Seeger: pioneer of protest by Billy Brag

Ramblin’ Jack Elliott: folk pioneer by Roger McGuinn

Etta James: blues powerhouse by Adele

Smokey Robinson: the soul of Motown by Corinne Bailey Rae

Little Anthony: the original teen dreamer by Pete Waterman

Ornette Coleman: jazz revolutionary by Seb Rochford

Sonny Rollins: sax colossus by Charlie Watts

Dave Brubeck: piano’s gentle giant by Jamie Cullum