Etta James age, dead, children, family, husband

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<h2>Early Life and Musical Training</h2>

<p>Etta James was an American <a href="/biography/etta-james">singer</a> known for her remarkable versatility across multiple genres, including jazz, blues, R&B, soul, rock and roll, and gospel. She was born on January 25, 1938, in Los Angeles, California, to Dorothy Hawkins, who was only 14 years old at the time. Due to her mother's frequent absences and unstable relationships, James spent much of her childhood in foster care.</p>

<p>At the age of five, James began receiving formal vocal training under James Earle Hines, the musical director of the "Echoes of Eden" choir at St. Paul Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Although her training under Hines was reputed to be physically harsh, it contributed to the development of her powerful and emotionally resonant singing voice.</p>

<h2>Rise to Fame and Career Highlights</h2>

<p>Despite having limited formal education, Etta James quickly rose to prominence in the music world. By the mid-1950s, she emerged as a rising star with a series of influential hits. Her breakout single, "The Wallflower" (originally titled "Roll with Me, Henry"), launched her career in 1954. She went on to record several iconic tracks, including "At Last," "Tell Mama," and "I'd Rather Go Blind."</p>

<p>James's work helped shape the sound of R&B and soul, and her deep, passionate voice became one of the most recognizable in American music history. Her albums spanned a wide range of styles, supporting a decades-long career that included Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.</p>

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<h2>Personal Struggles and Legacy</h2>

<p>Throughout her life, Etta James faced significant personal challenges, including long-term struggles with drug addiction and periods of incarceration. Despite these hardships, she remained an influential and respected figure in the music industry.</p>

<p>James passed away on January 20, 2012, at Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside, California, from complications of leukemia and an MRSA infection. She was 73 years old. Her legacy endures through her timeless recordings and the profound influence she had on generations of vocalists across genres.</p>

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