leonard chess and etta james leonard chess and etta james
All rights reserved. Although her father has never been identified,[9] James speculated that she was the daughter of pool player Rudolf "Minnesota Fats" Wanderone, whom she met briefly in 1987. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. When Leonard Chessthe founder of James's label, Chess Recordsfirst heard the song, James says, "he got up and left the room 'cause he started crying When he came back in the room, he. Her first was in 1995, when she was awarded Best Jazz Vocal Performance for the album Mystery Lady, which consisted of covers of Billie Holiday songs. As a teenager on tours with Otis, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Ike and Tina Turner and Little Richard, James encountered and quickly embraced much debauchery. It never happened. He even asked James, a longtime friend, and she told him, He kissed me on the cheek once.. [10] Her mother was frequently absent from their apartment in Watts, conducting relationships with various men, and James lived with a series of foster parents, most notably "Sarge" and "Mama" Lu. James started adding gospel elements in her music the following year, releasing "Something's Got a Hold on Me", which peaked at number four on the R&B chart and was a Top 40 pop hit. she has been hailed as a pioneer who helped bridge the gap between rhythm and blues and rock and roll and thereby contributed significantly to American musical history. That year, James's influence was everywhere, with avariety of black female singers (including Turner, Gladys Knight and Candi Staton) employing her defiant, abrasive vocal style. Etta James (Jamesetta Mills), singer, born 25 January 1938; died 20 January 2012, Blues and soul singer with a raw, emotional vocal style, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Typically, whenever the subject of the early architects of rock n roll arises, names like Howlin Wolf, Big Joe Turner, Hank Ballard, Bo Diddley and Big Mama Thornton are bandied about. [24] The album did not produce any major hits, however, and neither did the follow-up album, Come a Little Closer, in 1974, though, like '73's Etta James before it, the album was also critically acclaimed. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The trauma of her foster father forcing her to sing under these humiliating circumstances caused her to have difficulties with singing on demand throughout her career. James had been at Chess Records since 1960 and Leonard Chess wanted her to record a new album for his Cadet Records subsidiary. Is the movie Cadillac Records based on a true story? [citation needed] In her autobiography, she noted how impressed she was with the young singer's manners. He took her to Sheffield, Alabama, to record at FAME Studios. Contribute DMCA, General Contact Rage to Survive, James's autobiography, was published in 1995 and proved as blistering as her singing. But you always knew that Read More Kelly Sill, Several years ago, one of Danilo Prezs students was suffering from tendinitis. [51] She was in the Tarzana Psychiatric Hospital for 17 months, starting at the age of 36, and went through a great struggle at the start of treatment. An album of the same name was also released that year and included her take on Otis Redding's "Security". James wrote or co-wrote several of her greatest songs. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. First, a key spoiler: Cadillac Records is not the story of Chess Records, the blues label started in Chicago in 1950 by brothers Leonard and Phil Chess that featured among its stable of artists Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry and Etta James, plus many others who birthed rock 'n' roll. A life long lover of music, Hope is a graduate of Full Sail University where she studied music engineering. How to Market Your Business with Webinars. Their truth is not built with the intent of gimmick-like controversy but a need to be true to themselves no matter the cost. and help keep the future of the Observer, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our, Dallas Observer's The Morning After Brunch. So in conclusion, when I think of an artist whos invested 58 years in writing and singing songs that come from the real chapters of her life, it seems only fitting that she have the honor of a real depiction. [19] The first string-laden ballad James recorded was "My Dearest Darling" in May 1960, which peaked in the top five of the R&B chart. With everything so wrong, how can there be anything right about Cadillac Records? James was a star, yet one seemingly set on self-destruction. Testimonials, Shipping and Returns Policy Do you need underlay for laminate flooring on concrete? Rock 'n' Roll.) Sign in to continue reading, Christopher Loudon on the release of a new compilation of vintage material from the legendary singer. In 1941, he married Revetta Sloan, who was also Jewish; they had three children: son Marshall and two daughters, Elaine and Susie[9]. That is the stern virtue that I highly respect in the artistry and legend of Ms. Etta James. Money matters: Though Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody) . In 1959 James signed with the Chicago blues label Chess, which began marketing her as the "Queen of Soul". . [41] James's voice deepened and coarsened, moving her musical style in her later years into the genres of soul and jazz.[19]. Though James continued to record for Chess, she was devastated by the death of record executive Leonard Chess in 1969. James has received six Grammy Awards. Her husband Artis Mills accepted responsibility when they were both arrested for heroin possession, and served a 10-year prison sentence. Among the women on that list, only Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner ranked higher. Leonard Chess played bass drum on one of Muddy Waters' sessions in 1951, specifically on the tracks "She Moves Me" and "Still A Fool".[8]. But so egregious are the deficiencies and distortions herein this universe, The Rolling Stones came to the United States and The Beach Boys ripped off Chuck Berry long before anyone had ever heard of Elvis Presleythat it's almost impossible to discern whether there's anything decent about the moviemaking itself. 2023 Madavor Media, LLC. Rock'n'Roll (1987), opened stadium dates for the Rolling Stones and was inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. A Christmas album, Etta James Christmas, was released in 1998. If youd like to share your comments about Etta James, or have suggestions for future installments of Hearing Voices, please email [emailprotected]. Stevie Wonder and Christina Aguilera gave musical tributes. Shes also a proud Florida Girl born and raised inFt. Lauderdale, Fl. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Slate is published by The Slate Many of the backing musicians were top-flight players from Los Angeles: Rick Rosas (bass), Michael Huey (drums), Ed Sanford (Hammond B3 organ), Kip Noble (piano) and Josh Sklair, James' longtime guitar player. [71] Two other albums have also won awards, Let's Roll (Best Contemporary Blues Album) in 2003, and Blues to the Bone (Best Traditional Blues Album) in 2004. inserted here and there to remind us that these small stars are, in fact, portraying larger-than-life musicians whose work would influence generations. Now for a woman to confess her trials of domestic abuse, her mindset of being an addict and other uncensored tidbits, having an affair with the boss would have easily been a drop in the bucket unless it never happened. Thirty-six days after her death, her sideman Red Holloway also died.[63]. Perhaps her voice, so raw and emotionally expressive, was too fierce for the general public. Howlin Wolf guitarist was a huge inspiration for the Stones The funeral for Chicago blues great Hubert Sumlin, the longtime guitar player for Howlin Wolf who died Sunday at age 80, will be paid for by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. [3] He was buried at Westlawn Cemetery in Norridge, Illinois. After leaving treatment, however, her substance abuse continued, particularly after she developed a relationship with a man who was also using drugs. Though the record was not as successful as expected, her rendition has become the best-known version of the song. Leonard and Phil Chess were two Polish immigrant brothers that founded Chess Records. Etta James, one of the great American pop singers of the last half-century, died this morning. [4] Rolling Stone magazine ranked James number 22 on its list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time; she was also ranked number 62 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. No wonder Martin doesn't let the audience hear more than snatches of tunessave for Knowles' three extended numbers, clearly intended to sell the soundtrack. [27] and was a guest on John Mayall's Blues Breakers 1982 reunion show in New Jersey.In 1984, she contacted David Wolper and asked to perform in the opening ceremony of the 1984 Summer Olympics, at which she sang "When the Saints Go Marching In". What happened between Etta James and Leonard Chess? James's continuing appeal to new generations was proved when the R&B superstar Beyonc played James in the 2008 film Cadillac Records. He was the co-founder of the legendary Chess Records label, which was responsible for signing and starting the careers of some of music's biggest stars. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. 2 What did Etta James say about Leonard Chess? [34] She performed six times at the North Sea Jazz Festival, in 1978, 1982, 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1993. In her 1995 autobiography A Rage to Survive, she said that the time she spent in the hospital changed her life. Henry (also included on the disc), but it failed to make much noise. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Thanks for a marvelous posting! James countered with a coy follow-up called Hey! Hail! have a nice afternoon! In another instance, Cadillac insinuates Ettas drug abuse stemming from her father issues. Not saying I wasnt pleased to see Beyonces commitment to the role written however that role was poorly written and watered down. In 1950, Mama Lu died, and James's biological mother took her to the Fillmore district of San Francisco. James knew Malcolm X and was a member of the Nation of Islam for around 10 years, taking the name Jamesetta X. The album took the same direction as her first, covering jazz and pop standards and with strings on many of the songs. Etta was definitely one of the greats! Though this song has made a musical impact with its torturous cry of love lost, the first tears that fell for this song privately were truly that of Leonard Chess, head of her recording label, Chess Records in his intial hearing of the song. Early life In 1973, James was arrested for possession of heroin. In a world filled with smoke and mirrors, it always inspires me to see and experience artists who exude a powerful sense of truth. After leaving the Peaches, James had another R&B hit with "Good Rockin' Daddy" but struggled with follow-ups. Dec 4, 2008. James never again enjoyed a major US hit, although she continued to record strong material. down the road. Indeed, hurt, anger and self-destructive behaviour boiled beneath the surface of her vocals. Dallas' independent source of King when she was 16. Most notable are the growly, hulking Howlin' Wolf, blues-gone-pop belter Etta James and country-tinged rock-and-roller Chuck Berry. Confronting Satan in a Dark Spanish Castle, sung by Beyoncto Barack and Michelle Obama. It opens with James rather notorious Roll With Me Henry, recorded when she was just 16. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Meanwhile, the film barely touches upon Chess' questionable business dealings that left these pioneers all but broke, save for the brand-new Cadillacs Chess would buy his artists upon their topping of the pops. Very concisely written. Beyonc was invited to sing At Last at Barack Obama's presidential inauguration in January 2009. [55] James was arrested in 1966 for writing bad checks. Other details are missing or rearranged. In 1954, she moved to Los Angeles to record The Wallflower. Her career had begun to soar by 1960, due in no small part to songs like Id Rather Go Blind and At Last.. Learn how your comment data is processed. Two of her early songs have been given Grammy Hall of Fame Awards for "qualitative or historical significance": "At Last", in 1999,[72] and "The Wallflower (Dance with Me, Henry)" in 2008. On October 16, 1969, a few months after selling his namesake label to General Recorded Tape, Leonard Chess died of a heart attack. [73] In 2003, she was given the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Etta James: The Essential Modern Records Collection (Virgin/EMI) includes 15 tracks spanning 1954-57. James ventured into rock and funk with the release of her self-titled album in 1973, with production from the famed rock producer Gabriel Mekler, who had worked with Steppenwolf and Janis Joplin. I will make certain to bookmark your blog and will often come back She was continuously in and out of rehabilitation centers, including the Tarzana Treatment Centers, in Los Angeles, California. [50], James was married to Artis Mills from 1969 until her death in 2012. Indeed, when most people think of James, they focus on her post-1960 career, particularly her years at Chess Records where, beginning with the iconic "At Last," label owner Leonard Chess transformed her from a gutsy blues shouter to a power balladeer. "Now, my father was no angel, but [he] was never caught in an affair," Chess said. Like the movie shows, Howlin Wolf did sing the song Smokestack Lightnin for Chess Records. [22] The album included the future classics "I Just Want to Make Love to You" and "A Sunday Kind of Love". Record Producer, Music Executive. She added that she would have sung the song better. The song was written by James, Leroy Kirkland and Pearl Woods, while production was handled by Leonard and Phil Chess.It was released in 1962 as the third single from her 1962 self-titled album as a 7" vinyl disc.Musically, "Something's Got a Hold on Me" is an R&B track with elements of soul, blues and gospel. [12], James frequently performed in Nashville's famed R&B clubs on the so-called "Chitlin' Circuit" in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.[13]. Everything. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Video unavailable Watch on YouTube Watch on For those of you whove never read the the autobiography of Etta James, Rage To Survive, I stronglyencourage you tocheckout thisbook. That success was quickly followed by "Stop the Wedding", which reached number six on the R&B chart and also had gospel elements. Now if youre looking for a name to sell movie tickets, I can definitely see the follow the money rationale. Join the Observer community and help support [30] They were part of her touring band. On October 16, 1969, a few months after selling his namesake label to General Recorded Tape, Leonard Chess died of a heart attack. Since 1989 (notably rather late in her career, after nearly thirty years of prior recording), James has received over 30 awards and recognitions from eight different organizations, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum[64] and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences which organizes the Grammys.[65]. James was raised by friends and relatives instead of her mother through most of . James would go on to publicly criticize Beyonce, who was invited to perform the song at Barack Obama's inaugural ball, but later added that her critical remarks were meant to be received as a joke and stemmed from personal hurt over not having been invited to the sing the song herself for the Obama inauguration. 3 Who was Harvey Fuqua dating before Etta James? "He went up and down the halls of Chess announcing, `Etta's crossed over! [56] In 1969, she spent 10 days in jail for violating probation.[51]. Also along for the ride are Chess' and Waters' women, Revetta (Entourage's Emmanuelle Chriqui) and Geneva (Gabrielle Union), respectively, who do little other than quietly frown and tolerate their husbands' myriad dalliances. [77] Her albums Life, Love, & the Blues (1999), Burnin' Down the House (2003), and Let's Roll (2004) were awarded Soul/Blues Album of the Year,[77] and in 2001 she was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.[71]. She continued recording for Private Music, which released the blues album Matriarch of the Blues in 2000, on which she returned to her R&B roots. He said Id gotten all my moral values from Mama Lu, but I never knew a normal life.And then when Mama Lu died and Dorothy snatched me away, everything went haywire., While there was a number of other omissions such as the exclusion of Leonard Chesss brother, co-founder and partner Phil Chess, the question still stands, why were these truths never told? James continued to record for Chess (now owned by All Platinum Records), releasing one more album in 1976, Etta Is Betta Than Evvah! James performed at the top jazz festivals in the world, such as the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1977, 1989, 1990 and 1993. [19] After a couple of years of minor hits, James's career started to suffer after 1965. In February 1955, the song reached number one on the Hot Rhythm & Blues Tracks chart. 4 What did Leonard Chess son say about Etta James? Between this internal tug of war and growing up in a business that didnt cater much to a growing teenager, Ettas life journey was surrounded by upheaval and survival. [15] At this time Otis also gave James her stage name, transposing "Jamesetta" (her given first name) into "Etta James. The movie is certainly being marketed as a Chess tell-all; the soundtrack, due December 5, counts among its offerings Chess standards recut by the film's actors, including Jeffrey Wright's woefully slight version of Muddy Waters' "Hoochie Coochie Man"; Mos Def's coy, sly take on Chuck Berry's "No Particular Place to Go"; and three tracks by Beyonc Knowles, whose purr never comes close to approximating Etta James' growl. Subscribe, 2023 Grown Folks Music. Sumlins partner, Toni Ann, posted the news online. [35] She performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2006 and 2009 (prior 2012 credit - after date of death). The life of Ms. Etta James is as fascinating as her voice, complicated as her vocal interpretations and raw as her passion. Here her powerhouse contralto voice was matched with the sumptuous, bluesy string arrangements of Riley Hampton, and James truly came into her own as a singer. In time, other important artists signed with Chess Records, including Bo Diddley and Sonny Boy Williamson, while Willie Dixon and Robert Lockwood Jr. took on a significant role behind the scenes. It never happened. He even asked James, a longtime friend, and she told him, He kissed me on the cheek once.. In 1954, she moved to Los Angeles to record "The Wallflower." Her career had begun to soar by 1960, due in no small part to songs like "I'd Rather Go Blind" and "At Last." When did Etta James change her name to Peaches? Former Artie Shaw vocalist Georgia Gibbs, signed to the far more powerful Mercury label, released a cleaned-up cover version, safely entitled Dance With Me Henry. It spent three weeks at number one on the pop charts. She was born Jamesetta Hawkins to 14-year-old Dorothy Hawkins and an unknown white father, although James maintained he was the pool shark Rudolf "Minnesota Fats" Wanderone, and was raised at first in Los Angeles by adoptive parents. In her autobiography, Rage to Survive, she wrote that she heard the song outlined by her friend Ellington "Fugi" Jordan when she visited him in prison. Who was Harvey Fuqua dating before Etta James? [74][75], The members of the Blues Foundation, a nonprofit organization set up in Memphis, Tennessee, to foster the blues and its heritage,[76] have nominated James for a Blues Music Award nearly every year since its founding in 1980; and she received some form of Blues Female Artist of the Year award 14 times since 1989, continuously from 1999 to 2007. From the age of five, she sang gospel in the local church and later acknowledged the influence of the choirmaster, Professor James Earl Hines. They auditioned for the maverick R&B band leader Johnny Otis. Another story was that Otis spotted the Creolettes performing at a Los Angeles nightclub and sought for them to record his "answer song" to Hank Ballard's "Work with Me, Annie". These sessions yielded her comeback hit "Tell Mama", co-written by Clarence Carter, which reached number ten on the R&B chart and number twenty-three for pop. All you need to Know about Revetta Sloan's Husband Leonard Chess Photograph: Sherry Rayn Barnett/Getty Images, Etta James: 'I was like a punker I'd spit in a minute' a classic interview from the vaults, Etta James - famous fans pay tribute on Twitter, Etta James to undergo court-ordered medical exam. During drunken poker games at home, he would awaken James in the early morning hours and force her with beatings to sing for his friends. [36] The film included "At Last," performed by Beyonce. James continued to perform on occasion in the early 1980s, including two guest appearances at Grateful Dead concerts in December 1982. Etta James was born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles, California on January 25, 1938; her mother was just 14 years old at the time, and she never knew her father, though she would later say she. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Thank you, Wayne. [20] In 1963, she had another major hit with "Pushover" and released the live album Etta James Rocks the House, recorded at the New Era Club in Nashville, Tennessee. Wilson went on to live for another ten years in the care center Presley found for him. James referred to her mother as "the Mystery Lady". Group, a Graham Holdings Company. Become a member and get exclusive access to articles, live sessions and more! The film stars Adrien Brody as Leonard Chess, Cedric the Entertainer . She is survived by her husband and her sons, Donto and Sametto. James became a natural replacement for Joplin after the latter's death in 1970. "[8], James was born on January 25, 1938, in Los Angeles, California, to Dorothy Hawkins, who was 14 at the time. As many families did, when they arrived in the United States the Czy family changed their name. [28] In 1987, she performed "Rock and Roll Music" with Chuck Berry in the documentary film Hail! Following this success, James became an in-demand concert performer, though she never again reached the heyday of her early to mid-1960s success. That was in 1956. YEBBA, #SoulfulSaturday: Nadine (Is It You) George Benson, #SoulfulSaturday #Visuals Good Foot Pokey. Tell Mama's B-side was I'd Rather Go Blind, a brooding, agonised ballad ofloss and jealousy which now stands asJames's most celebrated recording and one of the classic sides of soul music. What are the 4 main characteristics is shared by all living things? [58] In 1974, James was sentenced to drug treatment instead of serving time in prison. Leonard invested in Aristocrat Records and eventually asked his brother to invest with him. Our Mission (A far better place to start would be Nadine Cohodas' 2001 book, Spinning Blues Into Gold, about the Chess Brothersyes, both of them.) The story of the early days of Chess Records was brought to the big screen as Cadillac Records in 2008, with singer Beyonc Knowles playing James in the film. Joplin had admired James and had covered "Tell Mama" in concert. The ferocity of her voice documents a neglected child, awoman constantly entering into badrelationships and an artist raging against an industry and a society thathad routinely discriminated againsther. (You can hear his own, more psychedelic take on the song, called Id Rather Be a Blind Man, on YouTube.)
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