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20 Little Known Facts About Etta James 

Originally published by Beatrice W in July 2022 and updated by Beatrice W in January 2024.

Jamesetta Hawkins, commonly known as Etta James, was an American iconic rhythm and blues musician. She was famously known for her biggest hits, 鈥淎t Last,鈥� “Tell Mama,” “I’d Rather Go Blind,” and “All I Could Do Was Cry.”

This entertainer performed in other genres like rock and roll, gospel, and soul. She went through a lot of challenges in her life including going to prison and nearly losing it all to addiction but she somehow bounced back.

Etta is one of the most dynamic singers that ever lived. Here are 20 little-known facts about Etta James.

1. Etta’s Mum Was Only 14 When She Had Her 

Etta was born on 25th January 1938 in Los Angeles, California. Her mum, Dorothy Hawkins, was 14 years at the time. No one knows for sure who was responsible for the teenage pregnancy, but Etta speculated that she was the daughter of pool player Rudolf “Minnesota Fats” Wanderone, whom she met briefly in 1987.

Raising a baby was overwhelming for the teenage mum, so Dorothy mostly left Etta alone. Etta was placed in foster care, changing foster families often due to her mother鈥檚 frequent disappearances. She nicknamed her absent mother 鈥淭he Mystery Lady鈥� because she would appear and disappear anytime.

2. Her Interest In Music Began When She Was Five

Etta James. Photo By Louis Ramirez –

Etta鈥檚 interest in music began at the age of five. After getting her first professional vocal training, she began singing in church and on the radio, which made her famous. 

Her vocal trainer was James Earle Hines, a music director at the St. Paul Baptist Church in Los Angeles. He was the choirmaster of Echoes of Eden choir. Etta had a very strong voice for a child her age.

3. Etta Was Physically Abused By People Who Were Supposed To Be Her Protectors

Etta was a victim of physical abuse as a child. It started with Hines her vocal trainer and choirmaster. He was violent and would punch her in the chest while singing to force her voice to come from the gut.

Etta was also abused by her foster father, Sarge, who would wake Etta early in the morning and force her to sing for his poker friends by beating her. This led to her bed wetting and other issues. It also negatively affected her musical career, making it difficult for her to sing on demand throughout her life. 

4. She Formed A Musical Group When She Was 12 Years Old

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When Etta’s foster mother, Mama Lu, died in 1950, she moved with her birth mother Dorothy to San Francisco. With her love for music, she formed a group called The Creolettes. The name was because the trio was light-skinned in complexion. They later changed their name to Peaches.

Musician Johnny Otis, who was a talent scout became interested in the group and he took them under his wing. He named her Etta James which came from her original name Jamesetta.

Four years down the line, she moved to Los Angeles to record with the group. Shortly after, she launched her solo career with various hits. 

5. Etta Was A Wife And Mother Of Two 

Etta James. Photo By Roland –

Etta met and fell in love with Artis Mills. The two were married from 1969 to 2012 when she died. She had two sons, Sametto James and Donto James, both from different fathers and stepsons to Artis. He and Etta never had any biological children together.

Her sons followed their mum’s footsteps and developed an interest in music. They both performed professionally with her. In 1993, Donto, the eldest son, played drums in Montreux, while in 2003, Sametto played bass guitar at CIRCA. They also performed together on other tours. 

Another mum who influenced her children is Mary Lou Retton.

6. Her Husband Was Jailed For 10 Years While They Were Together

Artis was Etta’s tour manager. He worked side by side with his wife throughout her career and marriage, becoming her support system. Mills took charge of ensuring all her performances and tours went on perfectly. 

The couple was busted with drugs in 1971 and her husband to the fall. Artis served a 10-year prison sentence and when he got out of prison in 1981, they reunited and stayed together till Etta’s death.

7. Etta Was A Drug Addict

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In the 1960s, Etta became addicted to heroin. To finance her addiction, she stole from friends, forged prescriptions, and bounced checks, leading to her arrest. She had a dependency on painkillers.

Etta was arrested in 1966, placed on probation, and ordered to pay a $500 fine for writing bad checks. She went to jail for ten days for violating her probation in 1969.

Later in 1973, she was arrested for having heroin and sentenced to drug rehabilitation instead of serving time. She left treatment but continued to abuse drugs whenever she was in a relationship with a man who was using.

Etta sobered up and made a comeback in her musical career in the 1980s with the album Seven Year Itch. 

8. Etta Was A Member Of The Nation of Islam  

The Nation of Islam is a religious and political movement founded in the United States in the 1930s, and had notable members such as Malcolm X. Etta James joined the Nation of Islam (NOI) in the 1960s after meeting Malcolm X. She was drawn to the group’s message of black empowerment, racial pride, and self-reliance, ideals that resonated with her own experiences and social consciousness.  

The singer went by Jamesetta X for around ten years. She would later say that it was “something of a fad”, the “radical, and the ‘in’ thing to do” at the time. She didn’t become a Muslim, and so she kept eating pork and dressing Non conservatively while she was a member. 

9. Her Debut Single Marked The Start Of Her Chart Success 

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Etta James’s debut hit single, The Wallflower (Dance with Me, Henry), not only marked the beginning of her chart success but also secured her a prominent place in the music scene. Released in the mid-1950s, this track climbed to the top of the R&B charts, showcasing her ability to resonate with audiences and setting the stage for a remarkable career. The Wallflower paved the way for her legendary career. 

10. Etta Had Issues With Her Weight 

Etta James struggled with weight issues throughout her life. She had these weight issues from a young age, even before entering the music industry. At the height of her weight gain, she was about 400 pounds heavy. This caused significant health problems and limited her mobility, often forcing her to perform while seated and even use a wheelchair. 

In 2003, Etta made the difficult decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery. The surgery was successful, and she lost over 200 pounds, giving her a renewed sense of health and freedom. While the surgery brought positive changes, it also had complications and impacted her voice. She, however, remained resilient and continued to perform and record music with her signature passion and power. 

11. She Wrote A Book About Her Life 

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Etta James wrote a book about her life, titled Rage To Survive. The raw and unflinching autobiography chronicles her chaotic childhood, her rise to stardom, being in and out of jail and basically delves into the highs and lows of her extraordinary career.  

It talks about her journey from a troubled childhood marked by poverty and abuse to her rise as a musical icon. She doesn’t shy away from the dark chapters, detailing her battles with addiction, abusive relationships, and the harsh realities of the music industry. Throughout the book, she depicts insights on love, loss, motherhood, bad choices, addiction, personal and career triumphs. As an entertainer, the book has a lot of humor, passion, and honesty. 

12. Etta Was Inducted Into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame In The 90鈥檚 

As an honored gesture, Etta James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Her induction was a truly momentous occasion that recognized her immense contribution to the world of music. She was inducted by k.d. lang the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter who stated, 鈥業f rock & roll is rooted in teenage passion, teenage rebellion, teenage restlessness, teenage sexuality, then Etta James is a rock & roller to the bone!鈥� 

This recognition cemented her place as a music legend, inspiring generations of artists and leaving behind a legacy of timeless music.  

13. She Had A Versatile And Distinct Vocal Style 

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Etta James’s vocal style was a marvel of artistry, marked by its unique and distinctive qualities. Her voice was a versatile instrument, capable of delivering soulful ballads with a velvety smoothness and transforming into a raw, powerful force when unleashing growls and raspy tones. This distinctive vocal signature became an essential element of her enduring appeal. 

14. Etta Was Among The First Artists To Blend Genres 

As one of the first artists to skillfully blend R&B, rock and roll, and blues, Etta James Was a musical pioneer. She wasn’t afraid to cross genre lines, blending blues, R&B, rock, and even jazz into her music.  Drawing comparisons to legendary voices like Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin, she crafted this distinctive style that merged various genres. This innovative approach broke down genre barriers and inspired other artists to experiment and push boundaries in their own work. Etta set the stage for the diverse soundscapes that would define later generations of artists. 

15. She Influenced Several Artists  

Etta James’ influence on music spans genres and generations. Her powerful vocals, raw emotion, and genre-bending style have inspired countless artists across the spectrum. Her impact reverberated through the corridors of music, influencing a diverse array of artists. Her influence transcended generations, leaving an indelible mark on the trajectory of soul, R&B, and popular music.   

From The Rolling Stones, whose Keith Richards referred to Etta as his rock and roll wife, to Janis Joplin and Amy Winehouse who drew inspiration from Etta’s vocal intensity, and not forgetting Adele, 叠别测辞苍肠茅, Christina Aguilera and others. Her legacy lives on through the countless artists that she inspired.  

16. Etta James Was An Actress As Well  

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Although acting wasn’t her primary focus, Etta James’ film and television appearances showcased her versatility and charm beyond music. Her on-screen presence, even in limited roles, left a lasting impression on audiences.  

This singer made numerous guest appearances on various talk shows and music programs throughout her career. In 1997, she had a recurring role as a singing reverend on All My Children show. She also acted as Billie Holiday in Cadillac Records and was also in Twenty Bucks.  

17. She Had A Successful 6 Decades Career 

Etta began her career when she was just 15 years and went on till she passed on at the age of 78. Her鈥檚 was an exceptional journey that spanned a remarkable six decades, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music. 

Her enduring talent and adaptability in an ever-evolving music industry was a testament to her passion, resilience, and artistic brilliance. Etta remained relevant and influential across changing musical landscapes, leaving an indelible mark on each era she touched. Her story reminds us that music transcends boundaries and leaves an everlasting impact on the lives of those who experience it.  

 18. She Was An Award Winner With Over 30 Awards 

Singer Etta James. Photo By John K. Addis –

From 1960 to 1995, Etta had been nominated for Grammy Awards 10 times in different categories and only won her first Grammy that 10th time in 1995. Since then, she has received five more Grammys.

In the course of her career, she has received over 30 awards and recognitions from eight different organizations. Some include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7080 Hollywood Blvd and she has been nominated for a Blues Music Award nearly every year since its founding in 1980.

In 2001, James was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, among other accolades. 

19. Etta Didn’t Like It When 叠别测辞苍肠茅 Was Invited To Perform Her Song At Obama鈥檚 Inaugural Ball

Singer 叠别测辞苍肠茅 Knowles played Etta in the 2008 film ‘Cadillac Records’. The film was a fictional account of how Chess Records’ founder and producer Leonard Chess helped the careers of many musicians. 叠别测辞苍肠茅 recorded Etta’s signature song, “At Last,” for the film’s soundtrack.

Etta publicly supported the film after its release. She would however later be offended when 叠别测辞苍肠茅 sang the song in 2009 during former president Barack Obama鈥檚 inaugural ball. Etta was hurting because she was not invited to sing the song herself.

Her comments towards 叠别测辞苍肠茅 were linked to her drug-induced dementia and Alzheimer鈥檚 disease. 

Read more about 叠别测辞苍肠茅 and her husband here.

20. Etta Passed On Just Four Days Before Her 74th Birthday

Etta James’s gravestone at Inglewood Park Cemetery. Photo By Dipsey –

Etta鈥檚 health began declining in her late 60s when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. In 2010, she was admitted for a blood infection caused by a bacteria resistant to antibiotics. She also had dementia, Hepatitis C, and was diagnosed with terminal leukemia.

Etta died on 20th January 2012 in Riverside, California, five days before her 74th birthday. She was buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. 

Another singer you can read about is Bruce Springsteen and also check our famous singers from Pittsburgh list here.