Hard-Edged Facts About Etta James, The Comeback Queen
Etta James had a legendary singing voice, but there was something else legendary about her: her lifestyle. The girl knew how to party, which she probably learned from her teenage mother. Unfortunately, it led her straight to the psych ward.
That would be the end for most people, but James staged a legendary comeback that involved The Rolling Stones, Christina Aguilera, and even Beyonce. So why isn't "Etta James" a household name?
Let’s let these edgy facts about the Comeback Queen speak for themselves.
Etta James Facts
1. She Didn’t Know Her Dad
In Los Angeles, California, on January 25, 1938, 14-year-old Dorothy Hawkins gave birth to a baby girl, who she named Jamesetta. Hawkins didn’t have a husband and wasn’t telling anyone who Jamesetta’s father was.
Some thought—judging by Jamesetta’s light skin and almond eyes—that dad was Italian. Later Hawkins would tell her daughter that her father was a pool hustler named Rudolf Wanderone: also known as Minnesota Fats.
Could Jamesetta believe her mother? Well, she was quite a questionable character.
2. She Had A Mystery Lady
Hawkins lived in the dangerous and impoverished Watts neighborhood of LA, but she had no problem leaving her young daughter alone in their apartment. When Hawkins left her baby alone, she was usually out cavorting with men. It was only a matter of time before something had to give. Soon, young Jamesetta came to the attention of social services, who took her from her mother and placed her with various foster parents. When Jamesetta talked about her mother, she simply called her “the Mystery Lady”.
But if you think foster care was a positive change for Jamesetta, you’ve got it wrong.
3. He Forced Her
Two of Jamestta’s semi-regular foster parents were Sarge and Mama Lu. Sarge had a problem with drink, but he also liked music. When he noticed that Jamesetta could sing, he liked to show her off to his poker buddies.
In the middle of the night, if Sarge felt like hearing music, he would wake up Jamesetta and demand that she sing for him and his buddies. If Jamestta didn’t comply with his demand, there would be a beating until she did.
The poor girl needed to get away from Sarge: Maybe the church would help?
