I saw her in New Orleans almost 15 years ago and while she put on a decent show, she didn't look well even then.

She had a great run. Her old band leader (Johnny Otis) left us a couple of days ago too.

... great singer - Tell Mama is a favourite album of mine...

What a voice.

Track is I Worship The Ground You Walk On

She was 73 though, listening to Etta whilst I type..

I thought she'd died about a week ago and I've been spreading the sad news to friends and collegues. I feel partly responsible. Can't say I know much of her music, apart from the song from the Diet Coke adverts (was that her?)

One of the finest these here lugholes have heard. RIP, Etta.

Yeah, very sad indeed. Not to make light of the situation, but the version of At Last I heard on The X Factor, was no good for anyone.

I knew it was coming after the announcement the other week that she was terminally ill but it's still sad.

I've just listened to this, my toppermost Etta favourite and probably the best cover of a Randy Newman song EVER:

(Etta James - God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind)

That Chess box set is a must-have for lovers of Proper R'n'B/Blues singing.