Rage To Survive: The Etta James Story [Paperback]

David Ritz (Author), Etta James (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 3, 2003

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Born to a 14-year-old mother and raised by surrogate parents, blues and R&B star James started singing gospel in church at five, was discovered at 14 and had a rapid rise to fame. Nevertheless, her story is a disturbing saga of drug addiction, jail sentences for writing bad checks and stealing prescription drugs, involvements with the wrong men and anger at a disruptive and unstable mother who has refused to reveal who her daughter's father is. It's easy to see why James says she has been "raging through life." She claims it's the rage that keeps her going. Now, at the age of 56, she reports she has kicked the drug habit, reached an understanding with her mother and settled down with her husband and children, letting off steam by dirt biking. Ritz, who has written biographies of Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson, spent two years traveling with James and listening to her talk about her life. Here he captures the craziness and the pain. Photos not seen by PW. Author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Growing up in south central LA, James stood out at an early age. Her church choir leader tutored the little girl with the big voice to sing with "vocal fire," and after attracting notice in gospel circles, she had her first chart success with "Roll with Me, Henry," a "pushy little jiveass reply" to rhythm and blues great Hank Ballard's "Work with Me, Annie." Her record's producer was Johnny Otis, one of many other stars she has something to say about. Others include Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and whiter-than-white Georgia Gibbs, whose "Dance with Me, Henry" covered and outsold Etta's hit. Besides whites stealing her thunder, James encountered underhanded financial dealings, drug abuse and addiction, and transitory love affairs. In other words, her story is a typical black pop-music as-told-to bio, though better than many of the others. Mike Tribby --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; Reprint edition (June 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306812622
• ISBN-13: 978-0306812620
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,117 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best music biographies I've ever read June 14, 2001

By Sasha VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I dont remember when was the last time I read such a honest autobiography - while others would be tempted to describe themselves in the best light,Etta James achieved to be likeable BECAUSE she is honest person.Everything she went through,happy times,bad times,brutal,funny and sad,she tells with such a original style that her talking voice almost leaps out from the pages.I read this book in 2 days without a break,what a original character,never afraid to say it as it is,even if occasionally her story may sound down-right depressing,then she makes it clear that she still have that life-saving sense of humour.Besides making me laugh and cry,Etta also describes music legends from different perspective - Chuck Berry,Jackie Wilson,Sam Cooke,James Brown,Ike & Tina,Aretha,Keith Richards,Mick Jagger,Bo Didley,Ray Charles,Jesse Belvin,Esther Phillips... Etta knew them all and paint the picture as we may never knew it,from the backstage.While Tina Turner's autobiography curiously lacks any personal comments,Etta James book is all about its subject,this is the woman who is not afraid to say what she thinks and what a story she have to tell!

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars All Out There! May 31, 2001

By Patrice J. Jackson

Format:Paperback

This is basically a recorded miracle. Reason being is that Etta James lived hard, played a even harder, and is still alive to tell about it.

Etta's story is one that all music lovers- even if you're not a fan of hers- should read. I think that ALL women should read the stories of relationships gone wrong, and what can happen to you if you don't have faith enough in yourself to make it without using nonsense as crutches. But while reading this, you have to respect the candid honesty that flows from one page to the next, and the stories about friends and lovers, that are told so vividly that you feel as if you're speaking to Ms. Etta, herself.

This is one of the best autobiographies I have ever read, and one that I couldn't put down. If you read it, you'll love it!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Survivor's Story! September 6, 2002

By Dan Cutrer

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Despite all odds, Miss Etta is still with us: read this book if you have the courage to learn what life 'on the road' was like for an entertainer in the 50's and 60's, with the difficulty enhanced tremendously for African-Americans. The debt today's divas owe Etta and others from 40 years ago will never be repaid. The book pulls no punches: white record label owners shafted their acts in every way imaginable, yet there's a snapshot of Leonard Chess that you'll be thankful for. Etta writes of doing heroin with Little Esther, being in and out of jail, being up and down, getting her "X" by joining the Black Muslims, touring with Little Richard, the dangers of driving through Dixie in the late 50's and early 60's with a blond 'do' (and a monkey).

There's another reason to buy the book: you can dine out for weeks by sharing the story of Etta's father. The book includes a photo of the two of them side-by-side. Yup, amazing resemblance. And no, I'm not going to tell.

Etta did the Letterman tv show a few weeks ago; is still making music. She's a national treasure. When she appeared in Dallas I slipped a note to a member of her crew to pass along, thanking her for all the music that has meant so much to me. If you've never heard Etta, look for that two cd set of her Chess recordings. One listen, and you'll be hunting for a pen and pad to send her the same kind of note.