tonight we remember the life and legacy of a remarkable woman of music, etta james. the legendary singer passed away at the age of 83. she joined us for a memory -- memorable conversation. we will be revisiting that conversation including the iconic hit, "at last." we are glad you joined us. >> every community has martin luther king boulevard. is the cornerstone we all know. it is not just a street or boulevard but a place where wal- mart stands together with your community to make everyday better. >> and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. tavis: in 2007 etta james joya does for a conversation we will never forget. -- joined us for a conversation we will never forget. she played a terrific selection of cover songs featuring some of the greatest artists in music history. at last you made it to my program. >> i finally made it to your program. gutavis: when the people at the playboy jazz festival asked if i would be interested in talking to etta james, i laugh at them. would i be interested? i am so glad to have you here. >> i always

etta james was 73 years old when she passed away.re from the memorial service a little bit later. >>> in other news today, british troops will stay in afghanistan until the end of the nato mission there. that's according to prime minister david cameron who promised the afghan president today that his troops will remain until the planned pullout of all nato forces still set for the end of 2014. no such promise for the president of france. nicolas sarkozy announced yesterday he intends to have all french troops out of afghanistan a year earlier than the rest of nato by the end of 2013. france has less than 4,000 troops in afghanistan. the u.s. and uk combined have nearly 100,000 troops. >>> a japanese man is refusing to leave his home near the damaged and dangerously radioactive fukushima power plant. he is sick. he knows staying there will kill him. but he has a message for the country and for the world. cnn paid him a visit. >> reporter: in the shadow of the fukushima nuclear plant, one man's quiet defiance echoes through the contami

. >>> blues sicker etta james has died. the 73-year-old singer had been hospitalized for breathing trouble. her long-time manager revealed the diagnosis of terminal leukemia. bigad shaban looks at her life and music. ♪ [ music ] ♪ at last ♪ my love has come along >> reporter: it's the signature song of james etta hawkin known to the world as a blues singer etta james. >> every time somebody gets married someone says sing "at last." >> reporter: she was born in 1948 to a 14-year-old mother she rarely saw and a father she never knew. she got her start singing in a baptist church in los angeles and then joined a girl group and finally started making solo records. ♪ [ music ] >> reporter: it was the 1961 hit song "at last" that put etta james on the map. rolling stone magazine ranked her 22nd on the list of the 100 greatest singers of all time. [ applause ] >> reporter: the three-time grammy winner got a star on the hollywood walk of fame in 2003. singer beyonce played james in the 2008 movie "cadillac records." and she sang "a

etta james, a powerful voice, though a troubled life. she left us with a signature song. "nightly news" begins now. captions paid for by nbc-universal television >>> and good evening tonight from florida. the next battleground state in this already-wild gop primary campaign, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. the storyline tonight is all about tomorrow's vote in the first in the south primary in south carolina. specifically, a late last-minute surge by newt gingrich that could, at minimum, delay the best-laid plans of the romney campaign. we have it all covered for you tonight. we are going to begin with nbc's peter alexander in north charleston this evening to start our coverage. peter, good evening. >> reporter: brian, good evening to you. hours before the first votes are cast in this state the romney campaign is trying to limit expectations here. governor romney telling nbc news a short time ago it's always been a, quote, uphill battle in this state. this as newt gingrich appears to have much of the momentum. after a stormy week, undoubtedly the toughest of his enti

. ♪ at last >> that's etta james, legendary blues singer.he died this morning in southern california from complications related to leukemia. she was 73 years old. born in los angeles, james got her big break while singing on san francisco's street corners in the 1950s. >> takes a look at the vocalists life and music. ♪ [ music ] >> it's the signature song of etta james, known as the blues singer. >> every time someone gets married, they say, sing at last. >> she was born to a 14-year- old mother she rarely saw and a father she never knew. she got her start singing at a baptist church in los angeles, then joined a girl group and then finally started making solo records. ♪ [ music ] it was the 1961 hit song, at last, that put etta james on the map. rolling stone magazine ranked james 22nd on their list of the 100 greatest singers of all time. the three-time grammy winner got a star on the hollywood walk of fame in 2003. beyonce played james in the 2008 movie, cadillac records and sank at last for president obama's first dance at the inaugurati

here is rehema ellis. >> reporter: etta james, that voice. ♪ at last my love has come along ♪ >> reportererican voice that sang with sorrow. she started singing when she was 5, first in church. etta cut her first record at 15. in 1960, she signed with the famous chicago blues label chess records. eventually recording her signature song. ♪ at last >> reporter: people said etta james sang like an angel. ♪ go and cry girl >> reporter: but she was a fallen angel. she dealt with heroin and cocaine addiction for many years, but she always praised god for helping her get back up. ♪ i've always been a dreamer >> reporter: always hitting the notes with just the right amount of hurt and hope, but most of all, truth. ♪ i'll forever be a blind girl >> reporter: etta james was 73. our species is defined by the tools we use. that's how we got to the top of the food chain. and yet here we are, doing things like this. it's embarrassing. when you use the wrong tool, you're not just making yourself look bad. you're making us all look bad. the dodge grand caravan. the industry's most versatile cargo and pas

etta james always said she never liked encores. >>> welcome back to eyewitness news right here on cbs. we have our eye on the storm. this is a one, two punch with yesterday's storm. obviously out of here, and this one, storm number two, it is powerful with the front now passing through the bay area. let's take a look at our doppler radar. when you see areas of yellow and orange, that is the frontal boundary passing from the north to the south. taking a look at the north bay, we are starting to see a sigh of relief across santa rosa. where you see those colors, again, that's where we are seeing moderate to heavy downpours and it near the 580 corridor as all this precipitation slides to the east. also san jose, moderate downpours. you are probably listening to the rain drops on your rooftops. the peninsula saturated, over three hour delays at sfo. there you have the golden gate bridge and over there, you have our live cbs 5 weather camera. it is on the muggy side. these temperatures, the highest they have been all day long with the warm front passing across the bay area. rain future cas

etta james died of complications of leukemia friday morning at the age of 73. ♪ at last >> osgood: ettajust sing the blues. she lived them. ♪ my love has come along >> osgood: she was born jane etta hawkins to a 14-year-old mother who told her that her father was the famous pool hall shark minnesota fats. a gospel singer in her church choir, jane etta was discovered singing on the street at the age of 15 by a band leader and talent scout johnny otis who as it happens also died this week. soon she and her group the peaches had a raunchy hit with their song "the wall flower." ♪ you better learn some dancing ♪ >> reporter: she was signed in 1960, recreated in the film cadillac records. ♪ >> reporter: with beyonce playing the part of etta james. ♪ i want a sunday kind of love ♪ >> reporter: the real etta james had a string of hits in the early '60s. ♪ don't treat me wrong >> osgood: including her signature song "at last." ♪ at last > but drug addiction and legal troubles haunted her career until the '90s when she won her first grammy, a lifetime achievement award followed in 2003. >> etta j

the unforgettable force of etta james. the singer dies at the age of 73. hello and welcome. 10 months into the uprising against president assad in syria, we have been as close the report from the only town under full control of opposition forces. this has been the scene of intense fighting in recent days. government forces have pulled out leaving the free syrian army in charge. activists say seven protesters were killed by security forces on friday are middle east editor sent this report. >> there is a cease-fire. the army has a few outposts but they are not shooting. the regime was forced into a truce because their men could not be accorded. this is half an hour drive from the center of damascus. a local activist said he would be in more danger if his face was shown. what about the future? what will you do next week and a week after that? >> we will still go with our protests. >> we will defend ourselves from the assad regime. >> the main square is dominated by what syrians call the independence. protesters would like to revive old national symbols, just

last, my love has come a long. >> etta james and singing "at last." any other, it became her song. it was sung by beyonce at president obama's inauguration. her own life too was like a song, but and often sad and bitter one. she spent decades battling heroin addiction and in and out of jail. yet, she never stopped singing, even as crossover pop success elude her. >> she did what she wanted to do. she was a very strong person. i do not think anybody could have said, well maybe we could do -- and if you did -- she did at last because she wanted to sing it. she did not do it because someone suggested it. she was her own person. >> she had been effectively abandoned by her 14-year-old mother, something that always troubled her. >> i do not know really what to say other than i wish my mother had been here to see me. ♪ >> but few could match the power of her voice or the range of her songs, soulful ballads to raucous rock and roll. ♪ >> the life ofetta james who has died at the age of 73. that is it for today. from all of us here at bbc world news america,

thank you. >>> that beautiful song "at last" in honor of etta james.f up to 10 independent research providers into a single score that's weighted based on how accurate they've been in the past. i'm howard spielberg of fidelity investments. the equity summary score is one more innovative reason serious investors are choosing fidelity. get 200 free trades today and explore your next investing idea. for many, nexium helps relieve heartburn symptoms caused by acid reflux disease. osteoporosis-related bone fractures and low magnesium levels have been seen with nexium. possible side effects include headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. other serious stomach conditions may still exist. talk to your doctor about nexium. then i found new pronutrients omega-3. it's from centrum. it's a smaller minigel. with two of the best omegas to support my heart, brain and eyes. new pronutrients from centrum. that's how it is with alzheimer's disease. she needs help from me. and her medication. the exelon patch -- it releases medication continuously for twenty-four hours.

she is gone too soon. >> how do you think etta james would like to be remembered right now?i think she would like to be remembered as a soul singer, a person that paved the way for so many other singers to come behind her. i think that is how she would like to be remembered, a woman that stood her own, a woman that wasn't ashamed, a woman that wasn't -- she didn't back down for nothing. she was a strong woman. she went through the chittlin circuit, and she came out on top. i think that is how she would like to be remembered, as a strong black woman. ♪ at last ♪ >> make sense of international news at become.com/news. >> funding was made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu, newman's own foundation and union bank. at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to know your business, offering specialized solutions and capital to help you meet your growth objectives. we offer expertise and tailored solutions for small businesses and major corporations. what can we do for you? >> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet, los angeles. 

but it was the 1961 hit song at last that put etta james on the map. stone magazine ranked james 22nd on their list of the 100 greatest singers of all time. the three time grammy winner got a star on the hollywood walk of fame in 2003. singer beyonce played james in the 2008 movie cadillac records and she sang at last for president and mrs. obama's first dance at the 2009 inauguration festivities. james made disparaging remarks about beyonce's performance which james' son attributed to drug induced dementia. james battled heroin addiction earlier later on, but her health declined dramatically in recent years. her sons and husband argued over manage james' $1 million estate and -- managing james' $1 million estate and medical care. >> i want the best care for my mother, period. reporter: a judge ruled james' husband would remain conservator and $350,000 was allotted for her care. james suffered from dementia, kidney trouble and eventually leukemia. etta james always said she never liked encores. ♪at last >>> the gop presidential candidates now have just

n]♪ >>> christina aguilera paying tribute to etta james. ndreds gathered today for the r & b great's memorial service in southern california. james died last week of complications from leukemia. >>> hundreds came out in vallejo today to honor the life of a fallen officer. people hit the road for a 29-mile trek from vallejo to vacaville in honor of the officer who was shot and killed chasing a bank robbery suspect back in september. the walk will be followed by dinner at mission church in vacaville. all money raised will go to the family. >>> a fire battalion chief suv crashed into a taxi while responding to emergency call in san francisco. this happened at gary and laguna in japantown this morning. the cab driver and the passier were hurt and were taken to the hospital. investigators are trying to figure out what happened and who's at fault. >>> if you're out and about in san francisco this weekend, be prepared for some delays. there are a series of 24-hour closures in the market and church area. that's due to muni's rail replacement project

>>> and etta james. remembering the woman who made this moment possible. ♪ at last ♪ >>> good evening. tonight, 64 million people from seattle to new york, are getting ready to battle the elements this weekend. winter has roared to life. and it is a storm the size of texas, moving across the country. creating travel havoc. the forecasters are calling it a storm train, a conveyor belt. one storm after the other. sometimes delivering ice, then snow. floods, even fires. abc's meteorologist, ginger zee, is tracking the weather mayhem tonight. >> reporter: i can feel the heat. >> it's really hot. >> reporter: raging fire. paralyzing ice. heavy snow and inundating rains. in the past 48 hours, a mild winter has turned wild. near reno, nevada, the storm brought 80-mile-per-hour wind gusts, whipping up wildfires, burning nearly 4,000 acres. 26 homes completely torched. and 10,000 residents evacuated. from fire to ice. in seattle, transformers burst into the night sky, as power lines snapped under the heavy glaze.

but there can never be another etta james. ♪ >> i just want to say right now, momma, i love you. > etta, this song is for you. it's called "at last." ♪

another great american with a fabulous voice that you'll remember. ♪ at last ♪. >> pelley: that's etta jamesrded "at last" in 1961. she sang the blues and lived them, too, including a battle with drug addiction. james died in california today at the age of 73. it was leukemia. she won three grammy awards and a lifetime achievement award, but she'll always be remembered for "at last" sung in etta james style by beyonce on inauguration night three years ago tonight. r% more than warfarin without the need for regular blood tests. i sure was glad to hear that. pradaxa can cause serious, sometimes fatal, bleeding. don't take pradaxa if you have abnormal bleeding, and seek immediate medical care for unexpected signs of bleeding, like unusual bruising. pradaxa may increase your bleeding risk if you're 75 or older, have a bleeding condition like stomach ulcers, or take aspirin, nsaids, or bloodthinners, or if you have kidney problems, especially if you take certain medicines. tell your doctor about all medicines you take, any planned medical or dental procedures, and don't stop taking pradaxa withou

. >>> and legendary singer etta james has died. she had been ill for some time.he was one of the great voices of popular american music. ♪ at last >> reporter: etta james will forever be remembered for one song. ♪ my love has come along >> reporter: even late in her life, at last was etta james. ♪ something's got a hold on me, yeah, yeah ♪ >> reporter: she was born jamesetta hawkins in los angeles in 1938. she began singing in church at the age of 5. by 15, she recorded her first record. and along the way, jamesetta hawkins became etta james. ♪ oh sometimes >> reporter: with her sultry style, she hit it big for the first time in the late 1950s and early '60s. with a string of hits. ♪ i get a feeling >> reporter: but her personal life was troubled, marred by drug and alcohol addiction. >> i gave you a damn good track. you want it? you sing. >> reporter: in 2008, beyonce played her in a movie called "cadillac records." at the inaugural beyonce sang her version. ♪ my lonely days >> reporter: in recent years, her health declined. she died of leukemia. ♪ for you were

last >> reporter: etta james was born james etta. ta hawkins in 1938 in los angeles. her upbringing was difficult. passed off from one caregiver to another by a neglectful mother. she started performing as a teenager in the early '50s and hit number one with her group, the peaches, with the wallflower. "dance with me, edward." she signed with legendary chess records and the hits came easily in the early '60s. topped off by "at last." a departure from james' harder bluesier sound. ♪ the skies above, they're blue ♪ >> reporter: but etta james had more blues in her life than any song she sang. a battle with drug addiction and legal problems kept her on and off the charts until the '90s, when she won the first of her six grammy awards and a very welcome comeback continued. ♪ i just want to make love to you ♪ >> reporter: etta james said in her autobiography that her rage kept her going, without it, she would have been whipped long ago. with it, she had lots of songs to sing. ♪ at last >> reporter: for cbs this morning, bill whitaker in lo

the legendary etta james has passed away. >> ♪ that's james singing her hit song "at last."he had a string of hits, james was a three time grammy award winner. she died from complications with leukemia. etta james was 73 years old. >>> well the snow blowers and plows were out in force in chicago. winter weather crippled the evening commute and also caused the cancellation of more than 600 flights. the city says the full fleet of plows are on the road and up to 8-inches is expected in chicago -- poor maryland. in chicago. >> a little breezy for maryland. >>> it's chilly out there. it's pretty much ending in chicago and just beginning here. took all day to get here. taáeubg a look at ray -- take a look at radar. little bands moving in. some warmer air is coming in over head. i expect the snow to last probably till 3:00 a.m. from now until 2:00 or 3:00. we expect a little accumulation particularly around the city and north to the pennsylvania border. south of us it's going to start mixing with sleet. setting up to p.a., maybe one to 3-inches can accumulation kind of quickly. th

divas. ♪ ♪ . >> etta james died this morning at a riverside hospital. nager said she died from complications of leukemia. she was 73 years old. james spent years battling a drug addiction but overcame it. she has won a number awards, including six grammies. her most enduring hits include "at last" and "tell momma". >>> a suspected drunk driver is under arrest after crashing into several cars overnight. police were called just after 2:00 after a man hit three parked cars near bishop and eldridge avenue. the driver was going about 70 miles per hour. he ran from his car after crashing into the last vehicle, but witnesses gave officers a description and they are able to find him a short time later. >> it sounded like something got hit really hard. my husband got up, got out side and they were just totally smashed right here in front of our house. >> the only person injured was the suspected drunk driver. he was taken away by paramedics with injuries to his face and hands. >>> an oakland man suspected of opening fire on a san leandro loves is under arrest off

etta james died at age 73. she had chart-topping lists that propelled her to stardom. earthy r & b diva lost her battle with leukemia. it was here in san francisco in the jazz district she shed her gospel roots, honing her skills as a feisty rhythm and blues singer. she would have turned 74 next wednesday. >> two state lawmakers are trying to block california's controversial rural fire feed before it takes affect. and yikts call the fee an unfair back door tax hike z warn that depending upon how many acres are involved it could grow to $3,000. >> that is a lot of expou sure so that with people living in fire districts which is an additional self imposed fee a community would put on themselves is like triple taxation. >> the rural fee was part of last june's budget but remains under protection board review. some 800,000 californians have to pay that fee and it could generate $90 million per year. >> and there is a company founded by neil young is being sued over a fire that gutted a building. reporting that they filed suit this week and the suit accuses the company of n

hundreds of people gathered to remember the life and legacy of etta james. ♪ >> christina aguilera performedndition of "at last" in her funeral in gardenia, california. stevie wonder performed with the choir. reverend al sharpton delivered the eulogy. she died after battling leukemia and other ailments. she was 73 years old. up next on abc-7 news at 6:00. >>> i'm in annapolis, maryland where today thousands of locals jumped into the waters of the chesapeake. details are coming up. >> a warm day. how >>> sunny skies and warm weather were welcome conditions for the people who decided to strip down and run into the chesapeake bay this afternoon. part of the annual polar bear plunge. as mike tells us, it was a splash. >>> in annanlaplis, polar bear plungers waited for their cue to dive into the bay. most were in and out of seconds. but as a precaution, the local police agency lined the beach. >> it's cold but wonderful. it's for a great cause. >> it's an event that raises money and awareness for maryland. and every year, no matter the temperature, they show off their costumes and body. >> they a

. >>> and we have just learned that legendsary singer etta james has died. her publicist says that miss james suffered from dementia, hepatitis-c, and she was diagnosed with leukemia last year. etta james was 73 years old. >>> when we come back, we're going to have some winter driving tips for you. help you out. stay with us! >> italian cruise liner is moving and authorities are concerned it could sink altogether. i'll have that story coming up. >>> rescue workers were forced to suspend their search of the cruise ship that has been grounded off the coast of italy. 11 people are confirmed dead, and hope is dwindling for more survivors. >> reporter: the search for victims on the ground concordia game treacherous as the weather took a turn for the worse. rescue teams suspended operations after sensors detected the wrecked cruise liner is shifting. the ship's bow is moving at half an inch per hour. >> we need to check the stability of the ship, how it's moving. >> experts are trying to determine whether the movements are just the ship settling on the rocks or if

today, the legendary singer, etta james, died at the age of 73.sting impression. ♪ ♪ >> [singing] here we are and have been -- here we are in heaven for you are mine at last ♪ ♪ >> etta james bringing an hour show to a close. you can find information about her on our website. thank you for joining us and for all of us here at "bbc world news america," have a great night. >> make sense of international news. bbc.com/news. >> funding for this presentation is made possible by -- the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu newman's own foundation and union bank. >> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to know your business. offering specialized solutions and capital to help you meet your growth objectives, we offer expertise and tailored solutions for small businesses and major corporations. what can we do for you? >> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet, los angeles.

♪at last my love has come along ♪ >> what a voice, etta james is being remembered this evening. three time grammy winner passed away after a long battle with leukemia. she was 73 years old. ♪i'm so in love with you >> all right. president obama channeling his inner soul singer, big fan of etta james at the apollo theater last night and this was part of a whirlwind fundraiser tour of the big apple. he attended four fundraising events in new york that produced more than $3 million for his reelection campaign. >>> coming up on 9 news now for a second time crews are battling destructive brushfires in nevada. s >>> four band members at the florida a&m university have been charged with hazing. investigators say the students were beaten and paddled during initiations last year at a home game in tallahassee or at a home i should say in tallahassee. hazing at the university has been under interference scrutiny even since drum major robert champion died last november. investigators say he suffered blows to his body during a hazing ritual. at this point no charges have been filed in his de

the community is offering a $30,000 reward for ala's safe return. >>> rhythm and blues singer etta jamess remembered at a funeral service today in los angeles. ♪ [ music ] [ singing ] >> the service highlighted james' vocal talent and her ability to break down racial and cultural barriers. stevie wonder and christina aguilera performed two of her most famous hits. the reverend al sharpton opened his eulogy by reading statements from president obama. >>> baltimore catholic schools are making a turnaround after years of open enrollment. the announcement comes at a time when catholic schools begin a week of celebrations. >> three years ago, the baltimore archdiocese shut down several catholic schools. enrollment was down, and operations were up. >> i really look forward to coming back here as alumni. and now, i won't have that. >> this week, cardinal- designate edwin o'brien, talked about the tough choices he made back then to bring in catholic schools today. >> i wish i didn't have to do it, but i did. >> reporter: the archdiocese says the plans to save remaining catholic schools is workin

it was heart felt and beautiful. >> etta james touched you, too. think -- >> etta had just a sort of emotion every time she sang. it didn't matter what it was, what she was going through. every time she sang, you could feel it. it's so cool to see christina paying tribute to her like this, which she killed, she just sang like crazy. she was just an icon. for every girl that's growing up, singing "at last" is staple in the repertoire of songs. i've sang it tons of times. and christina has sang it. >> at weddings and everything. >> weddings, sang it for my grandparents. >> the end of the segment so -- >> oh. what am i supposed to do? what do you want to hear? >> "at last." again. >> let me start from the middle. ♪ a dream that i can call my own i found a friend ♪ ♪ to bless a thrill that i've never known ♪ ♪ oh, yeah, you smile >> we've got to go to break. why do we have to go to break? but coming up, music trivia. more singing. [ male announcer ] tom's discovering that living healthy can be fun. see? he's taking his vitamins. one a day vitacraves plu

along" 73-year-old >>> the world of music has lost a timeless voice. ♪ at last... ♪ >>> 73-year-old etta jamesom complications from leukemia in southern california. born in los angeles, james was discovered singing on a san francisco street cornerback in the 1950s. she is survived by her husband and two sons. ,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, bankrupt, and >>> i'm dana king. here's what we're working on for the 6:00 news. bankrupt and tossing millions of dollars worth of stuff into a dumpster. why solyndra is destroying valuable assets. an exclusive cbs 5 investigation. and it's something we all learned in kindergarten. but one bay area man has taken it

etta james died today.own of her long career. ♪ [ music ] >> in her most famous hit, at least, etta james seems her lonely days are over and her life is like a song. if so, leading up to her redeposition was a bumpy one. the singer came into the world as the child of a 14-year-old unmarried mother. etta's talent was identified not long after she learned to walk and talk. the echos of choir at l.a.'s st. john baptist church. as a teenager, she discovered. the 1960s brought a contract and long association with chess records. also the beginnings of a struggle with heroin addiction, which would find her in and out of tarzana psychiatric hospital. these years, chronicled in the feature film, cadillac records in which etta was played by beyonce knowles. etta bounced back with seven year itch in 1989 and continued to record through 2005. she is considered one of the most overlooked popular musicians in american history. until perhaps now. >>> i'm sure thousands of couples out there was their wedding song, at last.