At Last

Was very saddened to hear of the passing of Etta James, one of music's most iconic bad girls.

The eyeliner, the hair, the drugs, the recovery and the melancholy sexuality- I see her influence everywhere today.

I saw her at the New Orleans Jazz Festival a few years ago, and apparently her troubles had already begun by then, but you'd never know it. She was vibrant and lovely as ever.

James at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz Festival

She seemed at home onstage, as though from there she could show us her entire world.

Rest in peace, Etta, at last.