An Alternate TBU Universe

Easy like Sunday Morning..

RIP Etta James

Jamesetta Hawkins was born on January 25, 1938, in Los Angeles. Early on, it was clear, Etta was a gospel prodigy, singing in her church choir and on the radio at the age of 5. When Etta turned 12, she moved north to San Francisco where she formed a trio and was soon working for bandleader Johnny Otis.

In 1954, she moved to Los Angeles to record "The Wallflower" (a tamer title for the then-risqué "Roll with Me Henry") with the Otis band. During this time the young singer also became Etta James and her vocal group was called The Peaches (Etta's nickname). Soon after, James launched her solo career with the hit "Good Rockin' Daddy" in 1955.

After she signed with Chicago's Chess Records in 1960, James' career began to soar. Chart toppers included duets with then-boyfriend Harvey Fuqua, with the ballad "All I Could Do Was Cry," "At Last" and "Trust in Me." But James' talents weren't reserved for powerful ballads. She knew how to rock and definitely did with "Something's Got a Hold On Me" in 1962 and "In The Basement" in 1966. James kept on working with Chess throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. Unfortunetly, heroin addiction took its tool on both her personal and professional life, but despite her drug problems she still created new albums. In 1967, James recorded with the Muscle Shoals house band in the Fame studios, and the collaboration resulted in the acclaimed Tell Mama album.

Her work gained kudos from critics and fans, when her 1973 album Etta James earned a Grammy nomination. After completing her contract with Chess in 1977, James signed on with Warner Brothers Records. A renewed public profile followed her appearance at the opening ceremony of the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. Subsequent albums, including Deep In The Night and Seven Year Itch, received high critical success. She was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1993, right before she signed a new recording contract with Private Records.

James' career continued well through the 90's and early 2000's with her albums Blue Gardenia in the early 90's, Let's Roll in 2003 and Blues to the Bone in 2004. Her last album was a cover album called "All the Way" in 2006 paying tribute to Prince, Marvin Gaye and James Brown to name a few.

A legend in her own right, she'll surely be missed.



Thanks for a great 2011!

Thank you for a great 2011!! We'll be laying low for a lil' while, but want y'all to know that good things are coming in 2012 as we get back to the studio. Just think--you'll soon be able to get your full length TBU album on Toil Records on iTunes or a CD at your local Best Buy! (for real)

Catch us up at The Attic for one of our last shows of the season!