Etta James - Mambo Club, Wichita, KS, 1962

"The Etta James Show" in Wichita, KS, on Saturday, Aug. 11, 1962. The poster features images of Etta James, Curly Mays on guitar and MC Emmett Davis. In the beginning of fifties Etta began listening to doo-wop and was inspired to form a girl group, the Creolettes (so named for the members' light-skinned complexions). In 1954, Etta recorded "The Wallflower" (a title change to the song, "Roll with Me, Henry" to avoid censorship at the time, cause "roll" implying sexual activity), the song reached number one on the Hot Rhythm & Blues Tracks chart. Its success also gave Etta an opening spot on Little Richard's national tour. In 1960, she signed a contract with Chess Records with which she would go on to become one of the label's earliest stars. Leonard Chess envisioned James as a classic ballad stylist who had potential to cross over to the pop charts and soon surrounded the singer with violins and other string instruments. Her debut album, At Last!, was released in late 1960 and was noted for its varied selection of music, from jazz standards to blues to doo-wop and rhythm and blues (R&B). The album included the future classics "I Just Want to Make Love to You" and "A Sunday Kind of Love". In early 1961, James released what was to become her signature song, "At Last", a Glenn Miller tune, which reached number two on the R&B chart. But now just take the time for remembrance to the great legendary Etta James, one of the TRUE Original Queens of the Blues. Gone 13 years ago now, Jan 25, 1938 - Jan 20, 2012, her light still shines brightly!!!