Etta James
USA, 1954–2012
American singer (1938-2012) who worked across blues, rhythm and blues, gospel and rock and roll, from the early 'The Wallflower' to the ballad 'At Last'.
MusicRoots documents 2 artists who influenced Etta James and 3 artists Etta James influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.
Who influenced Etta James?
- Billie Holiday — Etta found her inspiration in Billie Holiday from childhood — she loved the way Holiday expressed pain, and chose to emulate it.
- Dinah Washington — Dinah Washington's cutting precision and genre-crossing power were a direct model in the R&B-jazz tradition Etta came up in.
Which artists did Etta James influence?
- Diana Ross — Ross grew up in Detroit listening to Etta James — the raw R&B power beneath her Motown polish.
- Adele — Adele cited Etta James as a formative influence, saying she taught herself to sing partly by studying James's passion and phrasing.
- Paramore — Named by Hayley Williams as a personal influence, alongside Robert Smith.