Blues legend Etta James dies at 73

January 20, 2012 - 21:47 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Etta James, whose assertive, earthy voice lit up such hits as "The Wallflower," "Something's Got a Hold on Me" and the wedding favorite "At Last," has died, according to her longtime friend and manager, Lupe De Leon. She was 73, CNN reported.

She died from complications from leukemia with her husband, Artis Mills, and her sons by her side, De Leon said.

She was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010, and also suffered from dementia and hepatitis C. James died at a hospital in Riverside, California.

"This is a tremendous loss for the family, her friends and fans around the world," De Leon said. "She was a true original who could sing it all - her music defied category.

"I worked with Etta for over 30 years. She was my friend and I will miss her always."

Born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles on January 25, 1938, James began her music career at early age, receiving her first professional vocal training at five and forming a doo-wop group, the Creolettes, in her early teens. After renaming themselves the Peaches, the group scored a hit, "The Wallflower (Dance With Me, Henry)," which reached No. 1 on the rhythm and blues chart in 1955.

For most of the 1960s and 1970s James battled heroin addiction, though she kept performing.

Despite her ups and downs - including a number of health problems - she maintained an optimistic attitude.