At Last

I shed a little tear this morning when I learned Etta James passed on. 

Jamesetta Hawkins was born in 1938 to a 14 year old mother and, as Etta claimed, legendary pool player "Minnesota Fats".  Her music career began in the church choir at age 5, but by age 17 she joined a group called The Peaches and started singing such adult themed songs as "Roll with Me Annie".  With a raw and impassioned voice, she brought both sex and tenderness to her R & B.  Her song "At Last" is still my favorite.

She had a long-lived fondness for heroin, to which she and others attribute her worsening health.  Friend and fellow addict, Billie Holliday warned Etta not to follow too closely in her footsteps, and Etta did her best to heed that advice.  But smack is a horrible mistress
Her music inspired lovers and musicians to use their passions.  The world was better for her existence and a little sadder for her loss.  In my heart she will be missed.