Three-time Grammy winner singer Etta James, a pioneer of 1950s rhythm-and-blues and rock music known for her show-stopping hit "At Last," has died at age 73.<br/> James, died on Friday (January 20) morning at a hospital in Riverside, California, of complications from leukemia. She would have turned 74 on Wednesday.<br/> James was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago and had been in ill-health for the last few months.<br/> James had numerous ups-and-downs in her career and personal life. She struggled with obesity and heroin addiction, ran a hot-check scheme and had troubled relationships with men, including some gangsters. In 2003 she underwent gastric bypass surgery and lost more than 200 pounds.<br/> With songs like "The Wallflower" and "Good Rockin' Daddy," the three-time Grammy winner was a key figure in the early days of rock 'n' roll, and her signature song, the 1961 ballad "At Last," proved her a master of the blues.<br/> James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 but throughout her long career she diversified into mainstream blues, soul and R&B.<br/> John Russell, Reuters.
