Etta James-1967/ Image credit: Soul Portrait
It’s time for another installment of Music Monday, and while I promised one of my blogging buddies I’d give him a classic country segment today, I am apologetically forgoing it for next Monday to reflect upon the era of Etta James. Mrs. James died last week at the age of 73, and although I am not often touched deeply by the death of a celebrity, I grieved to hear of her passing.
Her death made me ponder her generation, and I am saddened in the realization that it is a dying generation, a lost generation. When I think of Etta James and other legends, I can’t help but to remember my grandmother and how much she loved music, too. From the earliest days I could remember her performing household tasks while listening to the music of Etta, Percy Sledge, Elvis Presley, Chubby Checker and other greats. I still see her, vividly, dancing around when she thought nobody was watching. I always was.
She’d yell cheerfully above the din that she used to be really be able to “cut a rug”, and she loved to entertain me with countless stories of her past. Her favorite was of winning dance contests with my great uncle dance and how naughty she’d been to dance “in her stockinged feet”. Oh, how naughtiness has been redefined since that innocent era!
Music is the most powerful tool in facilitating memories, and I have some good ones to comfort me. Please join me in remembering the legendary music of Etta James and a generation that is fading fast but never forgotten.
Etta James-At Last
Etta James-All I Could Do Was Cry
Etta James-I Just Wanna Make Love to You
Etta James-It’s a Man’s Man’s World
Etta James-I’d Rather Go Blind
That’s all I have for today, but I’ll be back tomorrow with a travel adventure. In the meantime…
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I love Etta James – At Last is one of my all time faves. It wasn't until recent years that I realised how much she had done! Thanks for sharing:))
Jane, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Etta James was a special lady along with the other legends from her generation.
We played Etta's "At Last" at our wedding…such a beautiful song. R.I.P.
Maria, what a beautiful song to play at your wedding. I bet it was pure magic.
Another tragic loss of a music icon…funny, we both do #MusicMonday – me on my FB Page and today I remembered the late Sam Cooke and Ernie Kovacs…both of whom died far too young. Kovacs wasn't really known for his music but he was incredible and his Nairobi Trio was hysterical:
http://www.facebook.com/aDadsPointOfView
@BruceSallan1 I love Sam Cooke even though he died way before I was born. I read Dream Boogie: The Triumph Of Sam Cooke by Peter Guralnick and it gave me an insight to the music business at the time, very in-depth reading.
Bruce, I love your Music Mondays. I am thankful to 12 most for revealing a great guy like you. All of your posts have me shaking my head in agreement. Thanks for that!