Jamesetta Hawkins was in Los Angeles, CA, on January 25, 1938. She formed a trio with her two friends called the Creolettes. The Creolettes were discovered by Johnny Otis in 1952. Otis reversed the syllables of her first name to give her her stage name, Etta James, and began recording her. In 1954, she recorded her first record which was a hit which was her own composition entitled The Wallflower (Dance with Me, Henry). Her singing is characterized by accomplished vocal technique and strong jazz influences.

[ click here to go to the next Bad-Ass Boulevard Broad ]

[ click here to return to the Divas of Gospel, Jazz & Blues ]