Etta James was an American singer well known for her strong vocals and heartfelt performances. James, best known for her singles “At Last,” “I’d Rather Go Blind,” and “Something’s Got a Hold on Me,” made an unforgettable impression on the music industry. Her net worth when she died in 2012 was believed to be $16 million. In this article, we will look at Etta James’ net worth, her life and her career.
Etta James’ biography
| Full name: | Jamesetta Hawkins |
| Nick name: | Etta James |
| Date of Birth: | 25-Jan-38 |
| Place of Birth: | Los Angeles, California, US |
| Age: | 73 years |
| Mother: | Dorothy Hawkins |
| Spouse: | Artis Mills |
| Children: | Donto James, Sametto James |
| Zodiac: | Aquarius |
| Profession: | Musician, Singer-songwriter, Singer |
| Gender: | Female |
| Height: | 5 ft. 4 in (160 cm) |
| Nationality: | American |
| Net Worth: | $16 million |
Who is Etta James?
Miss Peaches, or Etta James, was an American vocalist. She was born on January 25, 1938, in Los Angeles, California. Jamesetta Hawkins was her given name at birth. She was christened “Etta James” by Johnny Otis. Her mother was named Dorothy Hawkins. The late singer’s father is not extensively documented. According to reports, her father is Swiss pool player Rudolf Wanderone.
When her mother was unable to care for her, she was put in the care of her landlady, Lulu Rogers, while still a baby. She grew raised in a church and sang gospel tunes in the choir at St. Paul Baptist Church. She used to play on gospel radio shows in Los Angeles.
Etta James spent some time living in a foster home. She started singing at the age of five and began singing in church. Etta’s foster mother died when she was 12, forcing her to go to San Francisco with her mother. She founded The Creolettes, a female group in San Francisco. The group grew in prominence, catching the attention of Johnny Otis, the late singer, pianist, and songwriter. He used his power to help the band get a record contract. The female trio had the opportunity to open for Little Richard on his countrywide tour.
How did Etta James start her career?
James started her professional singing career on the Chitlin’ Circuit, playing at R&B bars in Nashville, Tennessee. She eventually created the female group the Creolettes, which was taken under the wing of guitarist Johnny Otis. He assisted the group in securing a record contract with Modern Records, after which the Creolettes changed their name to the Peaches.
In 1955, James scored one of her first great successes with the song “The Wallflower,” which she recorded with the Peaches. The music peaked at number one on the R&B chart. After leaving the Peaches, James released another R&B hit, “Good Rockin’ Daddy.” In the early 1960s, she left Modern Records and joined Chess Records; it was around this period that she met vocalist Harvey Fuqua.
James recorded many duets with Fuqua, including the smash songs “If I Can’t Have You” and “Spoonful.” Her later solo singles were “All I Could Do Was Cry” and “My Dearest Darling.” In late 1960, James released her first album, “At Last!,” which contained the future favourites “A Sunday Kind of Love” and “I Just Want to Make Love to You.” Early the following year, James released her hallmark tune, “At Last,” which was initially recorded by Glenn Miller. She then released her second studio album, “The Second Time Around.”
James proceeded to have several successes in the early 1960s. Some of her most successful songs are “Something’s Got a Hold on Me,” “Stop the Wedding,” and “Pushover.” After taking a hiatus from music, James returned in 1967 with the single “Tell Mama.” As a consequence of her popularity with the album, she became a popular concert performer.
James recorded several albums and singles in the 1970s, but she was unable to duplicate her 1960s popularity. Nonetheless, she had successful songs like “Losers Weepers” and “I Found a Love,” and her 1973 self-titled album received a Grammy Award nomination. In 1978, James opened for the Rolling Stones. She quickly departed Chess Records and did not record for a decade owing to her difficulties with drug abuse.
James made sporadic appearances in the early 1980s, notably at Grateful Dead concerts and the opening ceremony of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Her return, however, did not occur until the end of the decade, when she released the album “Seven Year Itch,” which was recorded for Island Records. James then released “Stickin’ to My Guns,” followed by “The Right Time.” In 1993, she joined Private Music Records and produced a Billie Holiday tribute album, earning her first Grammy Award.
Later in the decade, James’ album “Life, Love, and the Blues” became a smash. Her 21st-century albums include “Blue Gardenia,” “Let’s Roll,” and “Blues to the Bone,” the latter two of which earned her Grammy Awards. James’s last studio album, “The Dreamer,” was released in 2011.
What was Etta James’s height and weight?
Etta James stood at 5 feet 4 inches (160 centimeters) tall. At her heaviest, she weighed around 400 pounds (182 kilograms). However, after undergoing gastric bypass surgery, she successfully lost 235 pounds, showcasing her determination and commitment to her health.
Etta James’ Death
As she approached 70 years of age, James started to have health problems. She was hospitalised in 2010 for a blood infection and other problems. It was eventually discovered that the iconic singer suffered from dementia and was being treated for leukemia. Her physical troubles were revealed in court documents filed by her spouse, Artis Mill. James’s two sons, Donto and Sametto, opposed Mills’ attempt to seize possession of $1 million of his property. The two sides subsequently reached an agreement.
In November 2011, James released her latest studio album, The Dreamer, which got positive reviews. A few weeks later, James’ doctor revealed that the singer was gravely sick. “She is in the last stages of leukemia. She has also been diagnosed with dementia and Hepatitis C,” Dr. Elaine James (who is not related to the singer) informed the local newspaper. Etta’s health was deteriorating, according to James’ sons, and she was getting care at her home in Riverside, California.
On January 20, 2012, James died at her Riverside, California, home. She is still widely regarded as one of music’s most dynamic vocalists.
Who was Etta James husband?
Artis Dee Mills was Etta James’ spouse. They were married until 2012 when she died. Artis Mills and she were married in 1969. Her husband was sentenced to 10 years in prison, and after his release in 1981, he stayed with Etta until her death. Etta James has two children, Donto and Sametto. Her boys used to play and perform with her. Sametto is a bass guitarist and Donto is a drummer in Montreux.
Etta has had various legal issues during her life. She went in and out of treatment institutions. She and her husband were arrested for heroin possession, although her husband admitted responsibility and got a ten-year sentence. Unlike her husband, Etta was sentenced to drug treatment instead of jail in 1974. She served 17 months in Tarzana Psychiatric Hospital. Etta James remains well-known even after her death. She has more than a million Facebook admirers and a large number of YouTube views.
Etta James Movies and TV Shows
Etta James made a remarkable debut on the hit reality program “Dancing with the Stars” in 2009. Despite not participating as a competitor, she was welcomed as a guest performer, demonstrating her ageless ability and compelling stage presence. James brought her trademark flair and soulful voice to the competition, creating an indelible effect on the audience and competitors alike.
Her appearance on “Dancing with the Stars” demonstrated her lasting impact on the music business, even as she continued to inspire generations with her extraordinary singing powers. Etta James’ performance on the event not only recognised her incredible career but also exposed her music to a new generation of admirers, guaranteeing that her legacy would last for years to come.
How many awards did Etta James have?
Etta James’ effect on music cannot be understated, and her countless awards and inductions into famous halls of honor attest to her enormous skill and influence. With seventeen Blues Music Awards, she cemented her legacy as a blues powerhouse, demonstrating her unrivaled vocal skill and emotional range.
Her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, and the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001 demonstrated her flexibility and long-lasting influence in numerous genres. The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award she got in 2003 solidified her place as one of music’s most cherished icons.
Rolling Stone magazine recognised Etta James’s amazing voice and unmistakable effect, ranking her as one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time (number 22) and 100 Greatest Artists of All Time (number 62). Her ability to pour passion and heart into every performance surpassed expectations, gaining her praise from both fans and reviewers.
Billboard also recognised her impact by including her on their 2015 list of “The 35 Greatest R&B Artists of All Time.” Her adventurous approach to music, which included blues, R&B/soul, rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, and gospel, had a lasting influence on the business and inspired generations of performers to come. Etta James’ legacy lives on, ensuring that her contribution to music is remembered for future generations.
What was Etta James’ Net Worth?
Etta James, is an American singer, and songwriter, with a net worth of $16 million. Etta James, born Jamesetta Hawkins but more often known by her stage name, was born in January 1938.
Etta James’ Net Worth Growth Year by Year
Etta James’ Net Worth in 2012 was $16 Million
Etta James’ Net Worth in 2011 was $14 Million
Etta James’ Net Worth in 2010 was $12 Million
Etta James’ Net Worth in 2009 was $10 Million
Etta James’ Net Worth in 2008 was $08 Million
