Etta James: 1938-2012

Muhammad Ali plays a few notes on the piano as singer Etta James watches on Sept. 22, 1974. The singer's manager says James has died in Southern California. Lupe De Leon tells The Associated Press the singer died on Jan. 20, 2012, of complications from leukemia.

Etta James, legendary blues singer, dies at 73

Etta James performs at the Vine St. Bar & Grill in Hollywood, Calif., on April 6, 1987.

Etta James released her signature song "At Last" in 1961. Here she's pictured in an undated photo.

Singer Etta James, left, gets a hug from fellow singer K.D. Lang as she is inducted to the Rock and Roll hall fame, in Los Angeles on Jan. 13, 1993.

In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked James No. 62 on its 100 Greatest Artists of All Time list.

Etta James on Feb. 9, 2000.

Singer Etta James displays her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during a ceremony in her honor April 18, 2003, in Hollywood.

Legendary singer Etta James points to her star after an unveiling ceremony on the Walk of Fame, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles, on Friday, April 18, 2003.

Etta James & The Roots Band perform at the 26th annual Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on June 19, 2004.

Etta James performs during the 2006 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans on April 29, 2006.

Etta James attends the Conde Nast Media Group's Fifth Annual Fashion Rocks at Radio City Music Hall on Sept. 5, 2008, in New York.

Singer Etta James arrives at the premiere of "Cadillac Records" held at The Egyptian Theater on Nov. 24, 2008, in Hollywood.

Etta James and singer/actress Beyonce arrive at the premiere of "Cadillac Records" held at The Egyptian Theater on Nov. 24, 2008, in Hollywood.

Etta James arrives at the premiere of "Cadillac Records" held at The Egyptian Theater on Nov. 24, 2008, in Hollywood.

"At Last" singer Etta James performs at the 2009 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds Race Course on April 26, 2009.

Etta James performs at the 2009 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds Race Course on April 26, 2009, in New Orleans.