We've been lucky to have these talented folks to enjoy during our lifetime. Weird note; I always considered Johnny Otis one of the greatest rhythm & blues bandleaders ever. Found out today he was white. Crazy.
One of the finest Vocal Singles EVER recorded. She had a terrible childhood, with an absentee whore of a Mother and a father she never knew (rumored to be Minnesota Fats, the white man that was the worlds most famous Pool Player). One of her "caregivers" Sarge used to beat her to force her to sing for his drunken buddies when she was a kid. Johnny Otis took her under his wing when she was only 14 and gave her a career. He died three days ago at 90. RIP, you will be truly missed.
Otis was well-known for his choice to live his professional and personal life as a member of the African-American community. He has written, "As a kid I decided that if our society dictated that one had to be black or white, I would be black." He was actually Greek. His wife Phyllis was black so his famous son, Musician Suggie Otis is half & half.
RIP Etta: AP story from the Seattle Times about her: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2017289105_apusobitettajames.html
I saw Suggie Otis at the Filmore East when he was 14 years old. (1969-70?) I didn't know he was Johnny's son. Listened to Etta earlier this week. RIP.
Tonight(Friday) on "Fresh Air" on NPR they are rebroadcasting an interview with Johnny Otis from the early '90's.Hope they play his "Wedding Song!!" It will crack you up. Sounds like a Fats Waller song.
My favorite female singing voice of all the popular music genres. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WzibSiJv8hc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YApNirMC9gM&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzibSiJv8hc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAoCWpCJsuc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0uCsFOhNCE&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ0zhgmYIuY&feature=fvst http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIElUwOKtJk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgLOreeGJps She will be dearly missed.
I have had the good fortune to see her perform in a small venue twice. Both times I was standing belly up to the stage no more than 6 or 7 feet from her. What a thrill it was to have her look me right in the eye and grin while singing "At Last." RIP Ms. James. Thank you for the joy you've brought us. You will be missed.
'Unforgettable'... I met Etta James in Santa Cruz (Calif) in 1964 when I was playing a job with Big Mama Thornton. A real lady, gracious to a fault.
Wow, you got to play with Big Mama Thornton ? That's great. No other female soulful voice creeps under your skin and makes a home in your heart, quiet like Etta's.
Her voice makes basically every famous singer nowadays look pathetic. I hope shes in a better place now, leadin' the choir of angels.
I had the pleasure of driving Etta on a short tour a few years ago. A wonderfuly nice lady. Rest in peace Ms. James..
I was fortunate to hear her sing at the pocono's blues festival a few years back,Live her voice was amazing ,,,I heard the news today Sad
Damn I Am green Big Moma T and Etta ! wow her light burned so bright and long sounds like the lord is ready for some song,
The movie had a tribute to her, "Chess Records", she could have, should have her own autobio movie that pays tribute to her, but there are others as well that should.
RIP one of my favorite female vocalists of all time....chess records was one of those movies that you wish could have been a little more in depth but who knows...maybe one day they'll have a movie about her
She was one of the last remaining great original artists with their own unique voice and soul that everyone can recognize at once. Very few artists alive today have such quality. Her music and soul will remain alive forever.