James, Etta (1938–)

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James, Etta (1938–)

African-American rhythm-and-blues singer. Name variations: Jamesetta Hawkins. Born Jamesetta Hawkins on Jan 25, 1938, in Los Angeles, CA; married; children: 2 sons.

Discovered by legendary band leader Johnny Otis, who cowrote her 1st hit "Roll With Me, Henry" (1955); joined Chess Records' subsidiary, Argo (1960); released hit singles "All I Could Do Was Cry" (1960), "My Dearest Darling" (1960), "At Last" (1961), "Pushover" (1963), and "Loving You More Every Day" (1964); fought heroin addiction throughout 1960s; played Montreux Jazz Festival (1967); opened for Rolling Stones (1968); released hits "Losers Weepers" (1970) and "I've Found a Love' (1972); won 1st Grammy for tribute album, Mystery Lady: The Songs of Billie Holiday (1995). Elected to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1993).

See also autobiography (with David Ritz), Rage to Survive (1995).