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370th out of 718 books
—
487 voters
Rage To Survive: The Etta James Story
by
Etta James,
David Ritz
One of the great women of American music, equally at home singing blues and jazz, Etta regales us with tales of her chaotic childhood, the stars she has known, and her troubled trip to stardom in this mesmerizing autobiography.
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
June 5th 2003
by Da Capo Press
(first published 1995)
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I was not a huge R&B fan coming up. I heard all songs that hit played on top 40 radio and definitiely appreciated Screaming Jay, Ray Price, Bobby Blue Bland, Ruth Brown, Aretha, Chuck Berry, Little Willy John, Harvey Fuqua & the Moonglows, and of course Ray Charles and on, and on, but I was too young to be collecting records and my head was oriented in other directions until I backtracked onto the music when I was a little older, so I wasn't expecting to be bowled over by this biography....more
This book is absolutely phenomenal. After reading her biography you feel like you personally know Etta James. I love her honesty. She didn't hold back any detail. She had such an amazing story to tell and boy did she tell it.
She was born Jamesetta (named after her aunt and uncle) to a mother only 14 years older than her. Her mother was black and her father, a man she never knew, was white.
She tells of living in a time of segregation where the blacks made fun of her because she was light skinned...more
She was born Jamesetta (named after her aunt and uncle) to a mother only 14 years older than her. Her mother was black and her father, a man she never knew, was white.
She tells of living in a time of segregation where the blacks made fun of her because she was light skinned...more
Etta James is one of those celebrities you hear about and wondered what happened to. Up until a few years ago, I thought she was deceased. You don’t hear much about or from here these days, but she is alive and kicking.
Jamesetta Hawkins was the product of a 14 year old African-American mother and a white father (who is rumored to be Minnesota Fats the pool shark). This book chronicles her tumultuous childhood complete with absent mother. It goes on to talk of her rise to stardom and her demise t...more
Jamesetta Hawkins was the product of a 14 year old African-American mother and a white father (who is rumored to be Minnesota Fats the pool shark). This book chronicles her tumultuous childhood complete with absent mother. It goes on to talk of her rise to stardom and her demise t...more
Reading Etta James' autobiography, I was a little taken aback. On the one hand, she was a brilliant, famous multigenre singer, admired by many for her soul, rock, and R&B vocal talents. On the other hand, she was a hopeless drug addict for most of her adult life, unable to take proper care of her children, or function as a proper human being. All blues singers come from a place of sadness, and Miss James was no different: with an absent father, a prostitute for a mother, a friend of pimps, c...more
Mar 14, 2012
Stephanie
is currently reading it
I have loved the singing of Etta James for over 50 years. Was really struck by news of her illness and death, beyond anything I'd anticipated. What is it that ties us so strongly to an artist?
This bio shows us one tough cookie who was dependent upon (you should excuse the expression) the kindness of strangers after being born to a teenage prostitute who couldn't be bothered with her.
It's a colorful cast of characters, to be sure--pimps, drag queens, junkies. She doesn't pull any punches on descr...more
This bio shows us one tough cookie who was dependent upon (you should excuse the expression) the kindness of strangers after being born to a teenage prostitute who couldn't be bothered with her.
It's a colorful cast of characters, to be sure--pimps, drag queens, junkies. She doesn't pull any punches on descr...more
ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. Left me inspired and begging for more -- ESPECIALLY considering her condition right now... God bless Etta James. She has touched (and still continues to touch) a great number of hearts/lives/souls with her passion & pain via her unforgettably sublime voice and her story should be read (and thus, appreciated) by all... Because honestly, this book changed me for the better, and for that I am eternally grateful. And no matter what happens to the legendary singer during th...more
Etta James is my favorite singer of all time. I know every song she ever sang, and thought I knew everything there was to know about her. Boy was I wrong. Now I knew that the woman had some issues, but I didn't know the extent of her troubles. Etta James is so candid and pours her heart and soul into this book. I now understand where the pain, attitude and raw emotion you hear in her songs originates from. I don't know why it took me so long to pick up this book, but I'm so glad I did.
Aug 12, 2011
Ternelljade
added it
I loved this book. I decided to read Etta James's story after seeing Cadillac Records. She's really candid. Jimi Hendrix's nickname tripped me out...I can't remember everything I was going to say about the book...I blogged about it too, so it definitely made an impression, no question about it. This woman has been through a lot and lived to tell the tale.
Apr 20, 2013
Rhina M. Finley
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
People who love biographies
Recommended to Rhina M. by:
The Sam cook biography
Shelves:
african-american-lite,
biographies
This book had some heavy stuff in it, even jaw dropping lines. Etta James left nothing unsaid, her honesty and rawness is unique and even odd at times. She even gave insight to other artist that died in a horrible ways and suffer in so many ways as she did to get to the top. I bet if some the artist knew what they were going to go threw during thoes times, they would go back being that child singing gospel.
Four stars for brutal honesty and strongest presentation of subject's voice in any bio I've read in a long time. Made me want to read others by David Ritz. I wasn't that familiar with Etta, Chess Records, or especially that early black scene in LA that was so dynamic. Lots of stories from the road and really a microscopic look at the life of an artist.
This book was okay. She had an interesting life and I liked all the comments about other musicians she grew up with (James Brown, Marvin Gay, Aretha Franklin, etc). I do get a little tired of the "musician becomes a drug addict" part of the story. Its always there. But it was interesting to hear about her life and about that period in music.
Jan 29, 2009
Sonya
added it
Etta James is one of my heroes. Heroines? Not so much because of the life she's led but becuase of her ballsy-ness to sing the blues when the record peeps and even her mother were trying to make her into a jazz prima donna. I Wanna Ta Ta You, Baby!!! :)
Damn. Now, I knew the woman had troubles, but, what troubles they were! I have no idea how Etta lived to the ripe old age she did from her early life. She was truly a survivor. Good read if you're interested in Etta or early music history.
I love Etta James' music so decided to read her biography. She did have a lot of struggles in her life but many were brought upon her by her bad habits, including drug addiction. I think I liked her more before I read this book!
This autobiography was a fun read, taking me on a journey of the history of rhythm & blues and soul music during the middle part of the 20th century. The writing style was so breezy and conversational, it was just as if Etta was sitting on a couch, chatting away. Although it covers her harrowing battle with addictions to various drugs, the book has a redemptive and satisfactory ending. I recommend this book, especially to those who enjoy reading about music (have as many Chess recording arti...more
This book is a very amazing story of how a gifted child with lots of struggles rose to fame and spiraled in and out of jails, drugs, bad relationships to come out alive and so original is really incredible!
If You are a fan you should this. I thought it was pretty dam good.
This woman has THE most amazing voice and the most fascinating story.
Etta James gives an open and honest account of her life. Her story is interesting but sad. Although she had many problems, her talent and good friends helped her to "get back on top."
Love her. Love her story.
Wow. This book is like time travelling to a time in American history that I never experienced and am glad I didn't. James and her co-author Ritz will take you on a no-holds-barred trip. James recalls specific incidents of shooting up with the likes of Miles Davis and Bo Diddley. She'll tell you about her quest to meet Minnesota Fats, the man she believes is her father. You'll read all the back stories on her greatest hits and her worst failures.
She has such a great story-telling voice! I felt like I knew her intimately after reading this book. I am always amazed at what people can live through and still have so much in them to offer to the rest of the world.
Could not put this down. Inspiring, intriguing tale of remarkable woman. Ghost written but really seems to capture her voice. It feels like you are sitting down having a chat with Etta over a beer (or in her case coffee these days!) It is also a great encyclopedia of some of the lesser known soul, gospel and blues singers who pioneered the way for the household names of today.
Enjoyable. Written in her voice. Much better than the Janis Joplin bio- wish I would have picked this one for book club
An amazing story written in the voice of a talented, funny, and inspirational woman. Etta's lifelong struggle with drug abuse is interwoven with anecdotes about the founding fathers (and mothers) of soul. A wonderful story of survival.
A great book about my favorite female blues singer. I didnt realize she took soooo many drugs though. Some people OD and they die. This woman OD'd many times and she's still performing! Makes me wonder sometimes.
Very conversational style. Interesting life story. Learned something about jazz and blues.
Very interesting to read what this woman has been through. Love her music and liked her book.
very honest personal story-telling. very interesting life and love the music too.
Whew, that was a wild ride! I'm still a fan but, damn, girl!
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