http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etta_James

Etta James (born Jamesetta Hawkins, January 25, 1938) is an American blues, soul, rhythm and blues (R&B), rock and roll, gospel and jazz singer. In the 1950s and 1960s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer. She is best known for her version of the Mack Gordon and Harry Warren song "At Last", and for "I'd Rather Go Blind", for which she claims she wrote the lyrics.[1]. She died January 20. 2011 in Riverside, California.

Multiple Grammy-winner Bonnie Raitt said Friday [20 January 2012]:

• "I don't know that there's ever been a singer that knocked me out as much as Etta. The mark she made was setting the bar so high for the depths someone can sing from. The ache and the pain and the ferocity and the soul and the sexiness — it all came through in the space of one three-minute song."

source: Lewis, Randy. "Etta James Dies at 73; Acclaimed Blues and R&B Singer." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles times, 20 Jan. 2012. Web. 21 Jan. 2012.

Album review: Etta James' 'The Dreamer'