local news and culture, Robert Wilonsky [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. James countered with a coy follow-up called Hey! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Less than a year after selling their label, Leonard Chess was dead. Love Ms. Etta James!! 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. In October 1969, Leonard Chess died and by 1972, the only part of Chess Records still operating in Chicago was the recording studio, Ter-Mar Studios. Both artists issued statements of condolence upon James's death. What happened between Etta James and Leonard Chess? From the age of five, she sang gospel in the local church and later acknowledged the influence of the choirmaster, Professor James Earl Hines. [37] It was later reported that Alzheimer's disease and "drug-induced dementia" had contributed to her negative comments about Knowles.[38]. Joplin had admired James and had covered "Tell Mama" in concert. For instance, while the film plays heavily on a romantic relationship with Chess Records head, Leonard Chess, this information was never once mentioned in Ettas autobiography. While Hollywood may try their best, her story is more brilliant and compelling than any writer could create. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. All contents [25] According to her account, she wrote the rest of the song with Jordan but for tax reasons gave her songwriting credit to her partner at the time, Billy Foster. 1 What happened between Etta James and Leonard Chess? James continued to record for Chess (now owned by All Platinum Records), releasing one more album in 1976, Etta Is Betta Than Evvah! We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. If youd like to share your comments about Etta James, or have suggestions for future installments of Hearing Voices, please email [emailprotected]. 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. What The "Cadillac Records" Movie Didn't Tell You About Etta James's "I [16][8], James signed with Private Music Records in 1993 and recorded a Billie Holiday tribute album, Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday. (It bugs me to this day that he still receives royalties, James wrote in 1995.). James' 1973 album, exhibiting a mixture of musical styles, was nominated for a Grammy Award. While James was on tour with Richard, pop singer Georgia Gibbs recorded a version of her song and released it under the again-altered title "Dance With Me, Henry." (He is, however, a central player in Jerry Zaks' Who Do You Love, the other Chess bio that had its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.) [36] The film included "At Last," performed by Beyonce. Eventually, the two men meetduring a never-happened brawl at the Macomba, instigated by hell-raising harp player Little Walter (Columbus Short)and form a partnership, then a friendship. Knowles also recorded her own version of James signature song, At Last for the soundtrack. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Phillips supplied Chess with recordings by Howlin' Wolf, Rufus Thomas, and Doctor Ross among others. What is causing the plague in Thebes and how can it be fixed? Musician Bobby Murray toured with James for over 20 years. Etta James Biography, Songs, & Albums | AllMusic [61][62] Her death came three days after that of Johnny Otis, the man who had discovered her in the 1950s. 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. Hope West isamusic enthusiast and music photographer who has captured artists like B.B. I seriously enjoyed reading it, you When, in1971, the couple were arrested in San Antonio, Texas, on narcotics charges, Mills took the fall. James was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame a full eight years before her 2001 inclusion in the Blues Hall of Fame. 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. But nothing has an impact or leaves a mark, least of all the songs, watered down by actors doing miniature impersonations of giants. 2 What did Etta James say about Leonard Chess? Leonard Chess, decided James would . In 1989, the newly formed Rhythm and Blues Foundation included James in their first Pioneer Awards for artists whose "lifelong contributions have been instrumental in the development of Rhythm & Blues music". In 1989, she signed with Island Records and with them released the albums Seven Year Itch and Stickin' to My Guns, both of which were produced by Barry Beckett and recorded at FAME Studios. 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. Chess, a junkyard owner, dreams of opening a nightclub, which he does: the Macomba Lounge. 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. (modern), Etta James's approach to singing and to life was one of wild, desperate engagement. Who was the singer that played Etta James? So it is. During this period, she became addicted to methadone and would mix her doses with heroin. Waters, recorded one day in the field by Alan Lomax (Tony Bentley), reckons he's got a future in the Big City and treads the tracks till he reaches Chicago. What happened between Etta James and Leonard Chess? I will make certain to bookmark your blog and will often come back After leaving the Peaches, James had another R&B hit with "Good Rockin' Daddy" but struggled with follow-ups. [35] She performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2006 and 2009 (prior 2012 credit - after date of death). They renamed it Chess,. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. James had been at Chess Records since 1960 and Leonard Chess wanted her to record a new album for his Cadet Records subsidiary. Published since 1970, JazzTimesAmericas Jazz Magazineprovides comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the jazz scene. Etta was definitely one of the greats! She was buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Los Angeles County, California. 4 What did Leonard Chess son say about Etta James? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. [3] She also received a Grammy lifetime achievement award in 2003. have a nice afternoon! However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. [20] James followed this with "Trust in Me", which also included string instruments. [41] James's voice deepened and coarsened, moving her musical style in her later years into the genres of soul and jazz.[19]. Among the women on that list, only Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner ranked higher. 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. 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. They quickly went to Chicago to join their father, Joseph, who was already engaged in the liquor business, which was illegal at the height of Prohibition and controlled in Chicago by Al Capone. 4 When did Etta James move to Los Angeles? Leonard and his brother Phil became involved in the black nightclub scene on the South Side of Chicago in 1938 running a series of jazz clubs, culminating in the Macomba Lounge. James believed that King's hit single "Sweet Sixteen" was about her. 'Cadillac Records' takes gross liberties with Chess' tale Hope is known for her creativity, sense of humor and quirky perfectionism. All rights reserved. Stevie Wonder and Christina Aguilera gave musical tributes. Thanks for a marvelous posting! In 1992, she recorded the album The Right Time, produced by Jerry Wexler for Elektra Records. Everything. Polish-American record executive (19171969), Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Phil Chess, co-founder of blues label Chess Records, dies", "Will the real music mogul stand up? 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. Janis Joplin modelled her singing closely on James and covered Tell Mama. Their truth is not built with the intent of gimmick-like controversy but a need to be true to themselves no matter the cost. [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. [6] In 1947, Leonard became associated with Aristocrat Records, increasing his share in the company over time; eventually he and Phil would acquire complete control. As the 1960s progressed, Chess's recording enterprise branched out into other genres including gospel, traditional jazz, spoken word, comedy, and more. In more recent years,[when?] In 2003, she received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. [73] In 2003, she was given the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Do you need underlay for laminate flooring on concrete? She carried on touring but by 2010 had to cancel concert dates because of her gradually failing health; by this time she was suffering from dementia and leukemia. Contribute On October 16, 1969, a few months after selling his namesake label to General Recorded Tape, Leonard Chess died of a heart attack. The title was changed to the less evocative The Wallflower and, despite its notoriety (or, more likely, because of it), it soared to number 1 on the R&B charts. James possessed the vocal range of a contralto. 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. James was once considered one of the most overlooked blues and R&B musicians in the music history of the United States. James formed a vocal trio, the Creolettes, with two teenage friends. 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? Phil and his brother, Leonard Chess, emigrated to the. In November 2011, James released her final album, The Dreamer, which was critically acclaimed upon its release. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Once asked to describe her style, she responded that singing allowed her to vent "all this bitch shit inside of me". James went on to record a string of hits in the late 1950s and `60s including "Trust In Me," "Something's Got a Hold On Me," "Sunday Kind of Love," "All I Could Do Was Cry," and of course, "At Last." Chess Records, whose founder, Leonard Chess, called James their first soul singer, she wrote. Become a member and get exclusive access to articles, live sessions and more! Rage to Survive, James's autobiography, was published in 1995 and proved as blistering as her singing. An elite fanclub ensured James sang at the Los Angeles Olympics opening ceremony in 1984, appeared in Taylor Hackford's celebrated Chuck Berry feature Hail! Beyonc was invited to sing At Last at Barack Obama's presidential inauguration in January 2009. Jamessang with unmatched emotional hunger and a pain that can chill the listener. But you always knew that Read More Kelly Sill, Several years ago, one of Danilo Prezs students was suffering from tendinitis. James referred to her mother as "the Mystery Lady". After a period of isolation, she returned to recording in 1967 and reemerged with more gutsy R&B numbers thanks to her recording at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Who was Harvey Fuqua dating before Etta James? James was a star, yet one seemingly set on self-destruction. It produced two hit singles, "Fool That I Am" and "Don't Cry Baby".[23]. Rock'n'Roll (1987), opened stadium dates for the Rolling Stones and was inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. 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. 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. 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. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". In another instance, Cadillac insinuates Ettas drug abuse stemming from her father issues. 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. What happened to the owner of Chess Records? [57] He was released from prison in 1981. Leonard invested in Aristocrat Records and eventually asked his brother to invest with him. They auditioned for the maverick R&B band leader Johnny Otis. Thirty-six days after her death, her sideman Red Holloway also died.[63]. In 1973, James was arrested for possession of heroin. It's all too much and not enough; either make the epic the story deserves or don't bother. She notched up such hits as All I Could Do Was Cry, If I Can't Have You and AtLast. 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. In 2010, James received treatment for a dependency on painkillers. Thank you for saying what I have been thinking for years. 1 Did Leonard Chess really die in his car? Her first solo hit was the doo-wopstyled rhythm-and-blues song "All I Could Do Was Cry", which was a number two R&B hit. For all its copious flaws, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story perfectly nailed the trajectory of every single rockudrama that has tarnished a legend's legendthe big bang turned sad whimper. [58] In 1974, James was sentenced to drug treatment instead of serving time in prison. With that said, it greatly disappoints me that in light of her authenticity, this truth has failed to be depicted on the screens of Hollywood. Thank you so much for your comment! She also recalled how happy he made her many years later when she found out that it was Presley who had moved her close friend Jackie Wilson from a substandard convalescent home to a more appropriate facility and, as she put it, paid all the expenses. When did Etta James change her name to Peaches? (portrayed by Alessandro Nivola)[14] which are also fictional accounts of the ascent (and descent) of the label itself and the personnel who were involved or recorded at Chess Records. About Etta James [12], James frequently performed in Nashville's famed R&B clubs on the so-called "Chitlin' Circuit" in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.[13]. [53] Both were musicians and eventually performed professionally with their mother; Donto played drums at Montreux in 1993, and Sametto played bass guitar circa 2003, among other performances and tours. Early life In 1950, Mama Lu died, and James's biological mother took her to the Fillmore district of San Francisco. [19] After signing with Chess Records in 1960, James broke through as a traditional pop-styled singer, covering jazz and pop music standards on her debut album, At Last! According to Marshall Chess, son of Leonard Chess, he had these words to say concerning the issue of this affair: Now, my father was no angel, but (he) was never caught in an affair, Chess said. He was influential in the development of electric blues, Chicago blues, and rock and roll. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Brussels music act Vaya Con Dios covered the song on their 1990 album Night Owls. Henry (also included on the disc), but it failed to make much noise. Having finally conquered her drug addiction in 1988, she began to struggle with her weight in 2002, weighing more than 400lb, she had gastric bypass surgery and lost 200lb, which allowed her to return to active singing and performing. On October 16, 1969, a few months after selling his namesake label to General Recorded Tape, Revetta's husband Leonard Chess died of a heart attack. "My Foolish Heart" (Gene Ammons), "Rollin' Stone" (Muddy Waters), and "That's All Right" (Jimmy Rogers) were among the first releases on the new label. On his release in 1981, the couple reunited. Learn how your comment data is processed. Record Producer, Music Executive. She later got married again to Abner Bernard Spector. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Etta James - I'd Rather Go Blind Watch on Hope West [22] The album included the future classics "I Just Want to Make Love to You" and "A Sunday Kind of Love". The film Cadillac Records, a heavily fictionalised biopic about Chess Records, attracted wide attention due to Beyonc's appearance asJames. Cadillac Records Gets Nothing Right, Especially the Facts About Chess 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. DMCA, General Contact Sumlins partner, Toni Ann, posted the news online. I agree, the Etta James story needs no embellishment. There's no Bo Diddley either, a woeful oversight for a film in need of his hubris and humor. She bounced checks, forged prescriptions and stole from her friends to finance her addiction. In 2001, she was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the latter for her contributions to the developments of both rock and roll and rockabilly. The song reached No 1 on the R&B charts (while Georgia Gibbs's bland cover went to No 1 in the pop charts). Already a member? Who was the co-founder of Chess Records? Perhaps most intriguing are, however, James explosive reinvention of the traditional ditty Shortnin Bread (a song that Brian Wilson would subsequently become obsessed with) and the colorful short story The Pick Up, with a coolly assured Etta swapping salty lines with a blistering sax. The Impact of Chess Records - Black Music Scholar Born in Los Angeles, California, on January 25, 1938, Etta James was a gospel prodigy. Also included are her near-orgiastic reading of Lieber and Stollers Tears of Joy and the sunny Come What May, which finds James is a slightly mellower groove, presaging her Chess work that commenced just a couple of years later. He also takes issue with the onscreen love affair between Leonard and Etta James. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. She added that she would have sung the song better. The same sample was used by the east coast rapper Flo Rida in his 2011 hit single "Good Feeling". According to Marshall Chess, son of Leonard Chess, he had these words to say concerning the issue of this affair: "Now, my father was no angel, but (he) was never caught in an affair," Chess said. Two films highlight role of Jewish immigrants in popularizing blues and rock", "Fictional History: What It Was Like to Start Rock 'n' Roll, Sort Of", Chess Records: How Two Polish Brothers Made Music History, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leonard_Chess&oldid=1145483368, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from December 2016, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 19 March 2023, at 11:03. independent local journalism in Dallas. James wrote or co-wrote several of her greatest songs. YEBBA, #SoulfulSaturday: Nadine (Is It You) George Benson, #SoulfulSaturday #Visuals Good Foot Pokey. 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 agreed, lied to him that she was 18 and, when he demanded her mother's signed consent, went home and forged it Dorothy was then in prison. For those of you whove never read the the autobiography of Etta James, Rage To Survive, I stronglyencourage you tocheckout thisbook. [citation needed], In 1975, James opened up for comedian Richard Pryor at the Shubert Theatre in Los Angeles.[26]. Lejzor became Leonard. Phil Chess, co-founder of the iconic Chicago blues and rock 'n' roll label Chess Records, died Wednesday in Tucson, Ariz. We talked about what it felt like being abandoned by a mother. [14] Within a couple of years, she began listening to doo-wop and was inspired to form a girl group, the Creolettes (so named for the members' light-skinned complexions). [38], James was diagnosed with leukemia in early 2011. This self discovery wasnt revealed until Etta checked into a program in the Tarzana Psychiatric Hospital. And the family name, Czy, became Chess. Just clear tips and lifehacks for every day, For instance, while the film plays heavily on a romantic relationship with Chess Records head, Leonard Chess, this information was never once mentioned in Ettas autobiography. Minnesota Fats, Muddy Waters, and Etta James - AzBilliards Forums Roll With Me Henry was retitled The Wallflower Modern Records decided the original title was too explicit and Otis renamed his protege Etta James. Id Rather Go Blind (also, as it happens, sung by Beyonc, when she played Etta James in the film Cadillac Records) was reportedly begun by Ellington Fugi Jordan, a friend of Jamess, when he was in Chino Prison for robbery, and then completed by James later. At the age of 14, she met musician Johnny Otis. [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]. "It never happened." He. [5] The family name was changed to Chess, with Lejzor becoming Leonard and Fiszel becoming Philip. 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 had reason to believe he was the well-known pool hustler Minnesota Fats.