Etta James: 25th January 1938 - 20th January 2012
She literally embodied Soul for me. Passionate, reckless, unstoppable and inimitable. I do have a soft spot for female Rhythm and Blues of this era. Nina Simone was undoubtedly a better musician, Ella Fitzgerald had more mass appeal, and Billie Holiday, being form an altogether more refined era, was much more of a lady.
Etta James though… Drug Addiction, Failed Relationships, Abuse and Jail Terms couldn’t detract from her fantastic voice.
Oh and the TV Ad? Well that was pretty good too:
Tales from the Mana house 