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Saying Goodbye To R&B Great Etta James

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Etta James performed during the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans in 2006.(AP)
Etta James performed during the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans in 2006.(AP)

Singer Etta James died Friday at the age of 73 from complications of leukemia. She was a multiple Grammy winner, best known for her classic version of "At Last."

Her career had its ups and downs: she suffered from a heroin addiction, kidney problems, and in later years, dementia, but as Here and Now pop culture critic Renee Graham told Robin Young, this was an extraordinary woman who even as a teenager had a full-grown sound.

Renee says that James' music is full of a tension and drama that eludes many contemporary singers.

Guest:

  • Here and Now pop culture critic Renee Graham

This segment aired on January 23, 2012.

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