![]() ![]() James’s book was published in 1995, 13 years “before” the release of the movie, Cadillac Records. While there was a number of other omissions such as the exclusion of Leonard Chess’s brother, co-founder and partner Phil Chess, the question still stands, why were these truths never told? Well, that’s a good question especially when Ms. He said I’d gotten all my moral values from Mama Lu, but I never knew a normal life….And then when Mama Lu died and Dorothy snatched me away, everything went haywire.” “ We talked about what it felt like being abandoned by a mother. This self discovery wasn’t revealed until Etta checked into a program in the Tarzana Psychiatric Hospital. Between this internal tug of war and growing up in a business that didn’t cater much to a growing teenager, Etta’s life journey was surrounded by upheaval and survival. Though Etta had a mother figure in an older woman affectionately named Mama Lu, Etta’s life spiraled after her death. ![]() In another instance, Cadillac insinuates Etta’s drug abuse stemming from her father issues. While Etta wondered much about the true identity of her father, most of her issues of rejection and insecurity stemmed from her mother, Dorothy, a single teenage mother who traveled in and out of Etta’s life like a bad storm. Unfortunately, his role and importance wasn’t highlighted in the script of Cadillac Records. With Fuqua, Etta went on to sing songs like “I Just Want to Make Love to You”, “If I Can’t Have You” and later became the duo “Betty & Dupree” on Kent Records while also recording on Chess due to the lack of money they were paid on Chess. “It never happened.” He even asked James, a longtime friend, and she told him, “He kissed me on the cheek once.”ĭuring Etta’s early days at Chess, she was very open in having a relationship with Harvey Fuqua, member of the Moonglows and later played a pivotal role in the formation of Motown Records. “Now, my father was no angel, but (he) was never caught in an affair,” Chess said. According to Marshall Chess, son of Leonard Chess, he had these words to say concerning the issue of this affair: Now for a woman to confess her trials of domestic abuse, her mindset of being an addict and other uncensored tidbits, having an affair with the boss would have easily been a drop in the bucket – unless it never happened. For instance, while the film plays heavily on a romantic relationship with Chess Records head, Leonard Chess, this information was never once mentioned in Etta’s autobiography. Once you indulge yourself in her life, you quickly comprehend the fierce spirit, complexities and facts never fully realized in the Beyonce produced film, Cadillac Records. Of course we all saw Beyonce’s “role” in the movie Cadillac Records but unfortunately that role was not the factual life of Etta James.įor those of you who’ve never read the the autobiography of Etta James, Rage To Survive, I strongly encourage you to check out this book. ![]() With that said, it greatly disappoints me that in light of her authenticity, this truth has failed to be depicted on the screens of Hollywood. That is the stern virtue that I highly respect in the artistry and legend of Ms. Their truth is not built with the intent of gimmick-like controversy but a “need” to be true to themselves no matter the cost. In a world filled with smoke and mirrors, it always inspires me to see and experience artists who exude a powerful sense of truth. ![]()
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