Beyonce will play the leading role of a lady who is considered to be the Queen of R&B, Ms. Etta James, in a new movie entitled “Cadillac Records”. Although Beyonce is playing the leading role and will be executive producing the film, most people are not even paying attention to who and what the story is about. So let’s put the spotlight on Etta for a minute…

  • Born Jamesette Hawkins in Los Angeles in 1938
  • Received first #1 hit on the R&B charts, in 1955, with “The Wallflower”
  • Since 1950’s, noted as “the greatest of all modern blues-singers”
  • Inducted into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of fame in 1993

  • Most Notable Songs:

” Tell Mama”

“The Wallflower (Dance With Me Henry)”

“Something’s Got a Hold On Me”

“Don’t Cry, Baby”

“I’d Rather Go Blind”

“I Wish Someone Would Care”

“All I Could Do Was Cry”

“If I Can’t Have You”

“My Dearest Darling”

“At Last” (many have tried, but few have conquered her sound)

Side Note: Etta was addicted to heroin most of her career, but overcame that battle and successfully returned in the late 1970’s. She also battled issues with her size and finally had surgery which helped her shed 200 pounds. (Source)

Hhhmmm…it’s going to be quite interesting to see how Beyonce pulls this one off.