Singing legend Etta James dies at 73 | CNN James Cameron's "Titanic" Surpassed $1 Billion 25 Years Ago, and He 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. 2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the 95th Academy Awards. Their truth is not built with the intent of gimmick-like controversy but a need to be true to themselves no matter the cost. "Well I showed them," he says, A TV showing a hurricane, a basketball, flames that turn to fireworks, handcuffs and a jail cell, a picture of the Great Lakes, and an empty glass all appear in the first package, "I didn't know my whole family growing up," he says to start the second package, He was a telemarketer, and he would call his family but was too afraid to tell them who he was, Finally he did and they wanted to connect, "I had a lot of apprehension because I didn't think they'd want to get to know the real me," he says, He was surprised to learn that they accepted him as he was, A sign for a call center with a pentagon on it, a telephone switchboard, a bunch of telephones, a green bean bag chair, and a butterfly all appear in the second package, To start the third package, he says he's actually "kind of terrified" to be on stage even though he seems confident, because he's never done anything like this before, Says his "mission" for his next performance is to show "some range" he's singing a song he and his sister used to sing, First performance: Sang "If I Were a Boy" by Beyonc. It had a theme that was replayed in numerous James' records her boyfriend with another woman. She was light-skinned with almond-shaped eyes, a turned-up nose andnatural red hair. I mean I have bars, I've got moves, but I also have letters," she says. Time Travel Clue: Pager circa 1994 with "607" on it. "Wait a minute, he ain't my president. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Exactly 25 years ago today, Titanic made box office history. Why'd he pick the Dalmatian costume? "Well, normally I don't dress this fancy, but with a face like this I'm used to disguising it," he says. How is Cupcake feeling after the performance? Something I did went viral basically overnight", Pepper says she didn't see it coming but the best part was seeing people take what she did and add their own take on it, "What the hell, why not get out there, and keep the flame alive and party as the Pepper? She left her job because she had no choice and had no place to live, Her car was stolen, too, but the few people who did listen to her music loved it, "I wanted to fight for the light more than I wanted to focus on my bad circumstances", Says she still has the letter and she hopes her grandma would be proud, "Sometimes, the single greatest act of defiance is shining your light no matter what the world tells you", A sign that says 'Home is Where the Queen of Heart is,' ruby red slippers, a jewel suitcase, a pink toy car, a letter addressed to 'grandma,' and a rainbow all appear in the sixth package, First performance: Sang "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga. "Well, we don't work together all the time, but I think when we have worked together in the past we've worked really well," she says. Each week, we'll update the below list with all the info given from the latest clue packages, as well as what happens during the singers' time on stage and the panelists' latest (bad) guesses of each of the contestants' identities. 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? She sang background vocals on Jesse Belvin's doowop classic, "Goodnight My Love (Pleasant Dreams)" (1956). have a nice afternoon! To promote the album, she opened for the Rolling Stones on a US tour. It's, Someone she loves got some bad news about their health. Swimming pool or lake? Great Etta James Accomplishments - 1035 Words | Internet Public Library "The Alps." Perhaps Etta James (and Diana Ross) would have preferred to have a seasoned actress portray her on the big screen (or at least one that does not have a habit of trying to align her name with those of legends and/or icons in the hopes that she will then be viewed as one as well (Hardly great marketing - just obvious and calculated). Second performance: Sang "No Tears Left to Cry" by Ariana Grande. Most people in the town didn't really go anywhere, but I always had bigger dreams", "The doors I knocked on simply didn't open", Says he heard no again and again but he didn't give up, "I became my own boss and eventually Hollywood and even, A flag with his face, a portrait of him, a map of Cooperstown, a bunch of doors, a rainbow colored sky of stars, season 3's Astronaut (Hunter Hayes), and a lion all appear in the first package, "When I was in school, I marched to the beat of my own drum", He says he was most free to be himself in his garage, He would put on performances there, which were "always sold out.. At least in my head", The song he's singing tonight is about his first crush and inevitable heartbreak, A colorful umbrella, a picture of the Disney Concert Hall, two trash cans, two wooden stools, lots of flowers and plants, and a black light appear in the second package, "I am no stranger to a house party. She has no business up there, singing up there on a big ol' president day, gonna be singing my song that I've been singing forever.". Trophy Clue: A first-place plaque for the "State Champion Bible Quiz." Third performance: Sang "River" by Bishop Briggs, Fourth performance: Sang "She's Got You" by Patsy Cline. Etta James was born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles in January 1938. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. He had previously performed "School's Out," by Alice Cooper. Time Travel Clue: Portable TV circa 1984. What's your favorite place you've ever traveled to? Welcome to the Quantum Realm. This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. but she's a musical legend known for being notoriously fierce and feisty. Hers would be a challenging role for an experienced actress, in my opinion. Describing the song in her autobiography, James wrote, "I was blind. Well, thats a good question especially when Ms. Jamess book was published in 1995, 13 years before the release of the movie, Cadillac Records. 'The Masked Singer' Reveals Identities of the Jester and - Yahoo! Continuing its streak of great needle-drop moments, the latest episode of HBO . We would both have a roasting hot first date," she says. Second performance: Sang "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Queen. ", One of them dreamed of being a pop star but it didn't work out (the Ice Cream gets upset at this, but the Banana says that he didn't necessarily mean he was talking about her), Fifth package features a diorama of a drive-in theater, "People say I'm fame-obsessed like I'm an egomaniac," the Banana says, "I've heard people say I'm not very bright but at least I'm pretty," the Ice Cream says, They say they've learned that they can get through any storm together, and then they're shown kissing, A sign advertising a popcorn and soda for $5 each and a rotten banana for 47 cents, a movie poster for "Brain Freeze: We All Scream for Ice Cream (A Rich Summer Film)," a '50s-style convertible with Illinois license plates that say "Windy City," and a figurine of a Queen's Guard all appear in the fifth package, First performance: Sang "A Million Dreams" by Pink, Have they worked together before? You know the one with the big ears?" She was raised by two friends of Dorothy's, Lulu and James Rogers. The Masked Singer is back for its sixth season, which means a whole new batch of celebrities in wild costumes whose true identity viewers must uncover. When you do have a human asset in heart . Who wiggled their way into his heart? "On for sure," he says. Though Etta had a mother figure in an older woman affectionately named Mama Lu, Etta's life spiraled after her death. Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty Images. I want to spice things up," she says to start the first package, Says she's always had her own flavor and is constantly thinking of ways to not be bland, She's shown with many duplicates of herself, "This last year has been the craziest. ), two satellites, a clown, and handcuffs all appear in the first package, "This show's a riot, so much fun," he says to start the second package, Says it's a "completely different way of working", "As the Wildcard, I must seem like some sort of scalawag who's just bumped in at the last minute", He refers to himself as the "man who came in from the cold", Says his wife is going to get the biggest kick out of him being on the show they've been together 45 years, but "her health isn't what it used to be", First performance: Sang "School's Out" by Alice Cooper. Nick "Cannon" Clue: A t-shirt for Ken that has the word "wrestle" on it. With the Pepper comes a lot of spice and hotness and energy," she says to start the third package, "Tonight, I'm going to really dig into my ability to tell a story", Says the hardest thing she's experienced was watching "the one I love and care for most face the unthinkable", First performance: Sang "Jealous" by Labrinth. Thank you, Wayne. When Beyonc played the role of Etta James for last year's Cadillac Records film, she performed At Last for the soundtrack. She recorded standards on Blue Gardenia (2001) and All The Way (2006), but the title song of Blue Gardenia was sung by her mother. Leonard Chess indulged James by allowing her to record with an orchestra and her beautiful interpretation of "At Last" with Riley Hampton's orchestra is her crowning moment. Etta James | Fresh Air Archive: Interviews with Terry Gross This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. James cut the track during her 1967 sessions at Rick Hall's FAME Studios that yielded the great 'Tell Mama' LP. Although some had predicted Titanic would tank just like its . Dec 17, 2008, 05:12 AM EST | Updated May 25, 2011. Second performance: Sang "It's Gonna Be Me" by *NSYNC, Third performance: Sang "Friends in Low Places" by Garth Brooks. Bling Shot Clue: "Love." ), a tin man, a knight chess piece, a ghost, gold sparkles, a picture of Hilary Swank with "bff" on it, and a chess board all appear in the first package, Starts the second package explaining that people are often surprised to learn that she's shy, because she's not like that on stage, She's shown flipping through a dating app. How Marvel went big with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Says she's been told Etta James would want her to portray her in a movie "Throughout my career, I would say just as many people have been inspired by my person as by my music" "Extremely hairy." Although Otis took most of her earnings, $14,000 from writing royalties for "Dance With Me Henry" was held in trust until she was 21. "Lake," the split replies. The following guys appear: The Rock (listed as "action star"), a clown with the name Joe Kerr IV, a party boy named Couch Surfer, someone named Sour Doughboy, Austin Tatious, and Fly Guy, "I've definitely loved and lost, but heck, that don't mean I can't get back on the horse", "Mr. King of Hearts should have emotional intelligence, he should be smart, he should be handsome, he should be outdoorsy", Says she's never sung in French before, but she's been practicing, A balcony, a bouquet of pink flowers, candles, and hearts appear in the second package, "One thing I've learned in my life is the power of words," she says to start the third package, "Telling me what I should and shouldn't wear, what I should and shouldn't look like all because I was a woman", The words "stupid," "simplistic," "dumb," "chubby" and "untalented" all appear from a bunch of megaphones, But she says she's thankful for her experiences and she hopes that she made it easier for other people to follow her path, A book of sketches, the moon, a black cowboy hat, and a card that says "with love" all appear in the third package, In the fourth package, she says she wants to lean into the one thing that sets her apart her heart, "This next song reminds me of the best worst time of my life. [36] The film included "At Last," performed by Beyonce. Her fans know how good she is but the general public in the UK only know her for her Top 10 single, the gritty and sensuous "I Just Want To Make Love To You", recorded in 1960 but a hit through a TV ad in 1996. By way of protest, she refused to sing and instead played bass fiddle in the school orchestra. "Even as a little child, I've always had that comedian kind of attitude. "This is pure style," he says. It turns out, that pivot in my life was the greatest degree I could ever get", Says her second performance is for all the women who "put their own dreams on hold for others", A U.S. government book, a book titled "Expect the Unexpected," and another titled "Iron Out Your Swing" with a golf club on it all appear in the second package, "Listen, I've been to some of the most epic parties around. FAQs All rights reserved. "Coming in as the wildcard definitely makes sense, because my whole life has kinda been wild," she says to start the first package, Says she was thrown into the game at a very early age and in the spotlight for a very long time, "I had famous recipes and I even had a hit single that I recorded in just one take, okay? The great, but troubled, Etta James was such a force of nature that it takes five madly skilled performers to portray her on the stage. Copyright 2022 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. ", A bottle of hot sauce, "Chiliwood" sign (spoof on the Hollywood sign), emojis, a tic-tac-toe board, a "keep dreaming" sign, and lots of flames appear in the first package, Starts the second package saying if she could go back in time, she'd go to the moment when she first hit it big, Says she was suddenly pulled "in a million directions" between interviews, red carpets and award shows, "Sometimes you can get so caught up in 'what's next,' that you're not really living in the 'what's now.' . Trophy Clue: A light-up mirror that says "favorite hottie." It also says he failed Driver's Ed because of "too many high speed chases." In 1959, James recorded "If It Ain't One Thing" with Harvey Fuqua of the Moonglows as Betty and Dupree. From Austin Butler and Cate Blanchett to a potential Best Supporting Actress toss-up, see who EW thinks will win at the 2023 Oscars. James, who would have turned 74 on Jan. 25, died in Riverside, Calif. "Haven't we all, Jenny?" Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from, The Masked Singer season 6 to introduce shocking new elimination twist, Skunk's first clue package is very glamorous, "I chose to be the skunk because I relate to the duality, the yin and yang", A man is seen reading a newspaper with the headline "Has the Golden Ear Winner Lost Her Mind? Part of the Orchestra Wives musical, At Last first charted in a version by the Glenn Miller orchestra. Billie Holiday was one of many influential jazz singers during the period known as the Harlem Renaissance. She famously performed with Ace bandages on her arms to cover up track . Hollywood's a small town, but there's times when it can make you feel small," the man says, The woman says she went to school with big dreams and got a day job when she first arrived in Hollywood, She's shown wiping down a table with a white rag, She quit that job when she got her "big break," only to have to "beg for it back", He tells her there's no such thing as an overnight success, They're shown playing the strongman game at the carnival. As always, EW has you covered for all of your clue needs along the way. The song, with Richard Berry singing an unaccredited male part, was released on the Modernlabel and topped the US R&B chartsfor four weeks. James was portrayed by pop star Beyonce in the 2008 film "Cadillac Records," about Chess. She was an actress and composer, known for Sgt. Etta James discography - Wikipedia Singer and actress Beyonc Knowles portrayed James in the film. Her death came three days after that of R&B singer Johnny Otis, who is credited with getting her started in the music business in 1950. . I'm just kidding. Fresh Air remembers the singer with excerpts from a 1994 interview about her lengthy career. Etta James: Acclaimed soul singer who fought to overcome her personal At 12, she moved north to San Francisco, formed a trio and was soon working for band leader Johnny Otis. But she watched the dance on TV, according to the New York Daily News, and told her son that the performance "was great". YEBBA, #SoulfulSaturday: Nadine (Is It You) George Benson, #SoulfulSaturday #Visuals Good Foot Pokey. Kelly Clarkson Still 'Wants to Remain Close With Her Step-Kids' From Ex-husband Who Defrauded Her for 13 Years. She was 73. During Ettas early days at Chess, she was very open in having a relationship with Harvey Fuqua, member of the Moonglows and later played a pivotal role in the formation of Motown Records. DMCA, General Contact Who would she date? Subscribe, 2023 Grown Folks Music. "I like to stay hydrated with my friends at the party," he says. "I have to say, when I won it, I felt like a real leading lady," she says. What's your favorite physical attribute about yourself? As for At Last while it may be Ettas trademark tune, the track was first performed by Glenn Miller and his orchestra in 1941 and later by Nat King Cole in 1957. He adds, "Well, actually, banana is good by itself. Artist(s) that make her freak out as a music fan: Sheila E., Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Quincy Jones. "I'd Rather Go Blind" became a UK Top 20 hit for Chicken Shack in 1969 as well making the charts for Ruby Turner (1987) and Sydney Youngblood (1990). "The vibe, like their swagger," she replies. James was suffering from dementia and leukaemia and was rushed to hospital in December with breathing problems. She told the NYDN: "I didn't really mean anything," James said. "If someone sent me these three digits, it would make me feel like a complete dream girl," she says. As a young girl, James' raw and husky voice earned her the nickname "Baby Etta." But that's not all they . [/quote] Fuqua, also her boyfriend, brokered a contract for her with Leonard Chess of Chess Records in Chicago. She hits it and it goes to the top, which says "big man" and "14:00" on it. However, there is more to the story. says the actress. The best known version comes from Rod Stewart on his 1972 album Never A Dull Moment. She was previously married to Artis Mills. "But that one hug could have changed the course of history," she says, Says she has to keep moving forward, so she chose an upbeat song to celebrate love, A fancy black-tie affair, lots of glasses of champagne, a cherry at the bottom of a glass, and orchids appear in the fourth package, To start the fifth package, she says the pressure is on, and there is some stiff competition, "Bull to me would be the one to beat. Beyonce recently portrayed the older singer in the film Cadillac Records, where she performed At Last, among other songs and the two had the chance to meet at the films LA premiere, where Beyonce sang her predecessors praises. Copyright 2022 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. In 1978, she recorded Deep In The Night (1978) for the producer, Jerry Wexler, but by her standards it was strangely muted. Etta James was known for her spectacular voice that had the power to move one to tears, and despite her brilliant career, her latter years were marred with legal battles between her husband and sons. "Collectively, we have won quite a few awards, but that one you pointed out, Nick, I'm particularly proud of. Sixth performance: Sang "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" by Aretha Franklin, Tongue Clue: Jill Scott. "It's sunny and I like to play baseball," he says. I say turn it up so the whole, Fourth performance: Sang "Square Biz" by Teena Marie. "I'm gonna say Jenny [McCarthy-Wahlberg], because I feel like we could sit on a couch and get on the same wavelength," he explains. love music etta you one the great woman singer g. Etta was beautiful, dynamic, and such a Soulstress Of Epic Magnetism!! I like to sing what makes me feel good, and he makes me feel good", A pitcher and four glasses of cucumber water, a white lace dress, purple butterfly wings, needle and thread, and a colorful tutu all appear in the second package, First performance: Sang "Heatwave" by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas. Of course we all saw Beyonces role in the movie Cadillac Records but unfortunately that role was not the factual life of Etta James. As seasons changed, so did I", She says the one thing she's never had the chance to be is a mother, Says it took her a long time to come to terms with that, until she realized "the family that I already have" she says this as a picture of season 2's winner Wayne Brady (the Fox) is shown, Says she's protective of the ones that she loves, "If you come after them all cray cray, this whole land of shame will come your way, honey", She holds up two fingers as lightning flashes around her, "Tonight I'm going to blossom because, darling, life is good", A giant penny from 1972, a neon hummingbird, a reindeer, a raccoon, a bunny, glowing lights, a firecracker, rain, and intense sunshine all appear in the first package, First performance: Sang "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross, On why she chose Mother Nature: "Because Mother Nature is a force to be reckoned with. Thanks for the share.. I actually just got a chance to speak with Etta James, Beyonce told Access Hollywood at the time. Beyonce To Portray Legendary Blues Singer Etta James In 'Cadillac - MTV In fact, that's why I'm here to show the world I'm a lovable, sensitive, multi-faceted clown who just wants to make you laugh", A jack-in-the-box, a fun house with lots of stairs, a red circle with a white balloon in it, chickens laying eggs (is he the rooster in the hen house? Skunk's Locker Clue: The locker has a projector, various boas, and pom-poms in it, and there are signs for a French final and squad tryouts. and currently resides in Atlanta, GA as a Georgia Peach. What occupation would you be the worst at? She was discharged earlier this month but died a few days short of her 74th birthday. More about Churches Minnesota Orchestra . Once you indulge yourself in her life, you quickly comprehend the fierce spirit, complexities and facts never fully realized in the Beyonce produced film, Cadillac Records. "I might just be a newborn in a diaper, but I'm larger than life", Baby appears to have some sort of British accent, but he could be throwing us off, "I was part of a baby Rat Pack, and we were famous for throwing punches, getting my hands dirty in the action", Says he's had blockbuster hits, an award-winning album, and radio play, He says he replaced Arnold Schwarzenegger in a film, Now, he's here to make the whole world "a giant playpen", New York's Grand Central Station, a giant pacifier, a muscle car, a movie theater marquee that says "Blockbuster Hit 2, starring Baby" on it, an album called "Rattle and Roll" by Baby, a Metropolitan Police badge with the number 54672, the White House, a helicopter, and an explosion appear in the first package, "I love a good house party, and the best house party I've ever been on was a trip," he says to start the second package, Says he got to bring his whole family along on the trip, which was a "house party on eight wheels", He got a picture of his kids taking sink baths, Says he doesn't want to sing a song "just sittin' there" but wants to do one that gets people moving like that party bus, A baby book with a tooth on it, a loofah and bath cap, and pictures of a baby, a raspberry, and a car traveling a desert road all appear in the second package, First performance: Sang "You're the First, the Last, My Everything" by Barry White. Shes a living legend and I want her to love the movie, and I hope she does., Its not the first time Beyonce has had a run-in with a soul icon. Thank you so much for your comment! Pepper's Party Favor Clue: White and pink roller skates. "I chose the Caterpillar costume because ultimately my life has been all about metamorphosis," he says to start the first package, Says he was lonely growing up because things weren't always great at home, and he was often "rebelling", He left home at a young age, slept in his car at one point, and even started stealing to make ends meet, "My parents used to tell me that I was going to end up in jail, and boy were they right", But that encouraged him to keep going and show everyone up. "Uh, probably." Not saying hi to a loved one because of her pride she didn't yet know it, but she wouldn't get to see that person again, If she could do it again, she'd give that person a hug. Before the premiere, Beyonc said James was happy with her rendition. Etta Says She Was "Just Playing" | The Young, Black, and Fabulous In 1973, James was arrested for passing bad cheques and entered hospital for rehabilitation. James in concert with the Roots Band at The House of Blues in Boston in 2008; she made most of her money from live performances, Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, Etta James: Acclaimed soul singer who fought to overcome her personal, Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Up to 20% off & extra perks with Booking.com Genius Membership, $6 off a $50+ order with this AliExpress discount code, 10% off selected orders over 100 - eBay discount code, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK March 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this March, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands.