Strong Women

Etta James was born Jamesetta Hawkins, she was an American singer-songwriter.  Her style spanned a variety of music genres including blues, R&B, soul, rock and roll, jazz and gospel. Starting her career in 1954, she gained fame with hits such as "The Wallflower", "At Last", "Tell Mama", "Something's Got a Hold on Me", and "I'd Rather Go Blind" for which she wrote the lyrics.  She faced a number of personal problems, including drug addiction, before making a musical resurgence in the late 1980s with the album Seven Year Itch.  She won her first Grammy in 1994 for her 'Mystery Lady' CD, which was a tribute album to her Childhood Idol 'Billie Holiday.  James was known for her sass and brass.  Her live shows were gritty and very sexual, much ahead of her time.  She always stood her ground and took no sh*t from anyone.  Early in her musical career she met guitarist and singer Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, and fell in love with his voice, she when you listen to her sing, the 'husky grit' in her voice, is because of the 'Watson' influence.

http://youtu.be/Ttjh_kK62lY