Soul legend Etta James dies

Jan 20, 2012, 17:38 GMT

Los Angeles - Soul legend Etta James has died in California from leukemia at the age of 73, her manager said Friday.

The singer, whose 1961 hit At Last remains a classic, had suffered from leukemia, dementia and other ailments since 2010.

'This is a tremendous loss for the family, her friends and fans around the world,' manager Lupe De Leon said on CNN. 'She was a true original who could sing it all - her music defied category. I worked with Etta for over 30 years. She was my friend and I will miss her always.'

The six-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee was born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles in 1938. She was discovered in 1954 by bluesman Johnny Otis, who just died on Wednesday.

Her early hits included Wallflower, Roll With Me Henry, Call My Name and I'd Rather Go Blind. She later struggled with drug addiction and weight problems. James was portrayed by pop star Beyonce in the 2008 film Cadillac Records.

'Most of the songs I sing, they have that blue feeling to it. They have that sorry feeling. And I don't know what I'm sorry about,' she told CNN's Denise Quan in 2002. 'I don't!'