R.I.P. Etta James
Etta James, the force of nature whose version of "At Last" became one of the most iconic songs of the 20th century, has left us. According to her longtime manager, the powerhouse singer died today from complications brought on by leukemia. She was 73.
James had also suffered from dementia and hepatitis C, but she was a fighter till the end. Her last performance in Boston was at the House of Blues in May 2009, which Sarah Rodman reviewed.
James's reach was vast, influencing everyone from Dusty Springfield and Bonnie Raitt all the way up to Adele, Christina Aguilera, and Beyoncé (who portrayed James in the 2008 film "Cadillac Records").
More to come. In the meantime, watch this live performance of "I'd Rather Go Blind," featuring a cowering Dr. John, and dare to tell me the world hasn't lost one of its most heart-stopping performers. This levels me every time.
