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Etta James Dies at 73

Etta James Loses Battle With Cancer, Dies At Age 73

For Release: January 20, 2012
For more information, visit BBC News

Music legend Etta James dies after fighting leukemia, which was diagnosed in 2011. On the morning of January 20, 2012 she passed away at the age of 73 at Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside, California. Earlier in the week, former band member Johnny Otis died on January 17, 2012.

A member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Blues Hall of Fame, James started her music career at age 14 before signing with the label Chess Records. At 15, the young singer debut her first album, Roll With Me Henry, with the music by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters. She has won 6 Grammy awards and has produced many hit songs including “All I Could Do Was Cry” and “Trust in Me. ” After fighting a drug addiction, James rebounded and regained her success. One of her hit songs, “At Last,” was performed by Beyonce during President Barack Obama’s inaugural ball in 2008.

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Last Updated: 1/23/12