RIP Etta James - Video "At Last"

Blues singer Etta James, who is most famous for the hit song "At Last," has died from complications of leukemia, her friend and manager Lupe De Leon confirmed. She had been diagnosed with chronic leukemia in January 2011.

James died this morning at Riverside Community Hospital with her husband and two sons by her side, De Leon said.

Ironically, Etta is most remembered for her ultimate tender love song. Her life was anything but soft or tender. She battled a heroin addiction in the 1960's and 1970's. Etta had several legal problems relating to her addiction, including being accused of heroin possession, cashing bad checks and forgery. 

In 1974, after being in and out of rehab for over a decade, she was sentenced to drug treatment instead of serving time in prison and spent 17 months in the hospital. In 1988, at the age of 50, James returned to treatment at the Betty Ford Center in California.

Beyonce, who portrayed Etta in the 2008 movie "Cadillac Records," posted a statement about her  death on her website today:

"This is a huge loss. Etta James was one of the greatest vocalists of our time. I am so fortunate to have met such a queen. Her musical contributions will last a lifetime," Beyonce wrote. "Playing Etta James taught me so much about myself, and singing her music inspired me to be a stronger artist. When she effortlessly opened her mouth, you could hear her pain and triumph. Her deeply emotional way of delivering a song told her story with no filter. She was fearless, and had guts. She will be missed."

In 2009, at the age of 71, Etta was guest vocalist on Dancing With the Stars. Her voice was deeper, she was not able to stand, but she delivered the greatest love song in my lifetime. Here's Etta!

One happy note: Her song, At Last, lives on for future generations!

2012 April Lorier Perspective