Etta James in 2006

Born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles on January 25, 1938  Etta James was an American singer, songwriter and recording artist. Her style spanned a variety of music genres including blues, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, gospel and jazz. Starting her career in the mid-1950s, she gained fame with hits such as “Dance With Me, Henry”, “At Last”, “Tell Mama”, and “I’d Rather Go Blind” for which she wrote the lyrics.
Relocating in 1950 to the Fillmore district in San Francisco. The 14-year-old girl met musician Johnny Otis. who gave the singer her stage name reversing Jamesetta. James recorded a version, of “Dance with Me, Henry” which she was allowed to co-author, in 1954, In February of 1955 the song reached number one on the Hot Rhythm & Blues Tracks chart.
Her debut album, At Last!, was released in late 1960 and was noted for its varied choice in music from jazz standards to blues to doo-wop and rhythm and blues (R&B). The album also included James’ future classic, “I Just Want to Make Love to You” and “A Sunday Kind of Love”. In early 1961, James released what was to become her signature song, “At Last”, which reached number two on the R&B chart and number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Though she continued to perform, little was heard of Etta James until the late 1980‘s  when in 1989, James released the album Seven Year Itch and went on to enjoy a resurgence in her career, releasing several albums, appearing in concert video’s and continuing to tour throughout the 90‘s.
In April 2009, the 71-year-old James made her final television appearance performing “At Last” during an appearance on Dancing with the Stars. In November 2011, James released her final album, The Dreamer, which was critically acclaimed upon its release.
From 1989, James received over 30 awards and recognitions from eight different organizations, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences which organizes the Grammys.
James is regarded as having bridged the gap between rhythm and blues and rock and roll, and is the winner of six Grammys and 17 Blues Music Awards. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Grammy Hall of Fame in both 1999 and 2008. Rolling Stone ranked James number 22 on their list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time and number 62 on the list of the 100 Greatest Artists.
Etta James died on January 20, 2012, just five days before her 74th birthday, and three days after the death of Johnny Otis

Source: Wikipedia