Singer Etta James Dies At Age 73
Jan. 20 2012, Published 9:00 a.m. ET
By Debbie Emery - Breaking Celebrity News Reporter
Singer Etta James has died at the age of 73 after a long battle with leukemia.
James passed away on Thursday at a hospital in Riverside, California, with her husband, Artis Mills, and her sons, Donto and Sametto, by her side, reported CNN.com.
Along with being diagnosed with leukemia in 2010, she also suffered from dementia and hepatitis C.
"This is a tremendous loss for the family, her friends and fans around the world," said her longtime friend and manager, Lupe De Leon.
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"She was a true original who could sing it all -- her music defied category."
Born Jamesetta Hawkins to an unwed 14-year-old mother i