The Buzz...About Books

I came into work today and was greeted with the sad news that Etta James has died at the age of 73.  I discovered her music when I was in high school and have remained a loyal fan ever since.

Her personal life was complicated.  She survived the music industry, drug addiction and a friendship with Keith Richards who remembers her fondly in his autobiography, Life.  She was born to a 14 year-old mother and an unknown father.  Her mother was often absent, leaving Etta with caregivers who discovered and exploited her singing talent.  When Etta was 14, promoter/songwriter Johnny Otis heard her sing and became her mentor.  Coincidentally Otis also died today at the age of 90.

If you would like to read more about Etta James, try her autobiography, Rage to Survive: the Etta James Story.  Toronto Public Library has a number of her CDs as well.