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From the Archives: R&B and Gospel Singer Etta James.

Blues and R&B singer Etta James. She was a teenager when she was discovered by band leader/talent scout Johnny Otis, who helped her record her first single, "Dance with Me Henry." Her career took off in the sixties, until she battled a drug addiction at the end of that decade. Although James mostly sang R&B, in 1994 she released "Mystery Lady," on which she covers songs by her favorite jazz singer, Billie Holiday. Rebroadcast from 8/24/94.

22:32
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Other segments from the episode on September 2, 1999

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, September 2, 1999: Interview with Etta James; Interview with Ruth Brown; Interview with LaVern Baker.
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11:35

From the Archives: Rhythm and Blues Singer Ruth Brown.

Rhythm and Blues singer Ruth Brown. She got her start in the 1940s, and influenced a whole generation of singers including Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard and Bonnie Raitt. Her hits include "Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean" and "Teardrops From My Eyes." Later she appeared in John Water's film "Hairspray" and in the Broadway hit "Black and Blue." Her autobiography "Miss Rhythm" was published in 1996. Rebroadcast from 12/22/97.

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R&B and Gospel Singer Etta James

James was a teenager when she was discovered by bandleader/talent scout Johnny Otis, who helped her record her first single, "Dance with Me Henry." Her career took off in the sixties, until she battled a drug addiction at the end of that decade. Although James mostly sang R&B, she has just released "Mystery Lady," featuring songs by her favorite jazz singer, Billie Holiday.

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Aretha's Little-Known Siblings

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