Etta James was born in Los angeles so you can a keen unwed, 14-year-old mom
As the 1960s dawned towards the Chess Suggestions, title creators Leonard and Phil have been from the peak of the powers. Due to the proselytizing of one’s United kingdom Invasion groups, Dirty Oceans, Howlin Wolf and other organization painters have been doing on the biggest crowds of people of its professions. Chuck Berry and you can Bo Diddley had assisted designed rock, as well as the name had branched into the alot more styles, including RB, funny, jazz and you can gospel.
However, Leonard and Phil were still selecting the brand new an approach to stick to the top of manner and build the lineup. Among their most significant signings of your own ten years is a primary success. The other took over thirty years to-arrive his commercial prospective, but stands today since the top life relationship to Chess and you can Chi town organization.
She try found at decades 14 by the bandleader Johnny Otis, and you may filed which have your to possess Modern Records from the late 1950s. She finalized so you’re able to Chess when you look at the 1960 and you can converted Willie Dixon’s “Spoonful” into the an RB hit. The girl discovery showed up the coming year with “At last.” The wonderful soul ballad is actually just a bit of a deviation getting the latest label – guitars and harmonicas had been changed from the a lavish string orchestra.