Etta James

“I was originally like a punker, know what I mean, like the punks are today, I'd spit in a minute.”

“When I sing for myself, I probably sing for anyone who has any kind of hurt, any kind of bad feelings, good feelings, ups and downs, highs and lows, that kind of thing.”

“What happens is, when I perform, I'm somewhere else. I go back in time and get in touch with who I really am. I forget my troubles, my worries.”

“This is an album of songs that I've always loved, tunes that I heard. For the first time in 53 years of recording, I really had control over an entire album, start to finish.”

“I wanna show that gospel, country, blues, rhythm and blues, jazz, rock 'n' roll are all just really one thing. Those are the American music and that is the American culture.”

“I like to shop, but I don't like to go out to dances.”

“I don't care who's playing. Even if it's my favorite artist, I'm probably not gonna go and see him.”