Etta James, born Jamesetta Hawkins, in Los Angeles, California, on January 25, 1938, is an American blues, soul, R&B, rock & roll, gospel and jazz singer with a contralto range, and a songwriter. She is the winner of four Grammy Awards and seventeen Blues Music Awards. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001, and had records inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in both 1999 and 2008. In the 1950s and '60s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer. She is best known for performing the song, "At Last," which has been featured in many movies, television shows, commercials, and web-streaming services since its release.

Born to an unmarried 14-year-old African-American, Dorothy Hawkins, Jameseeta had a rough life growing up. However, she received her first professional vocal training at the age of five, from James Earle Hines, musical director of the Echoes of Eden choir, at .....MORE.....(full Etta James biography) ←