The incomperable Etta James has passed away, according to her longtime friend and manager, Lupe De Leon. The 73-year-old "At Last" singer, whose earthy voice lit up the charts, and inspired a legion of musicians, died in a hospital in Riverside, California. 

James, who also battled an array of ailments from dementia, hepatitis C, and leukemia, lived an eventful life. After joining Chess Records in 1960, she hit the No. 1 charts with such hits as "Something's Got a Hold on Me," "Don't Cry Baby," and "Baby What You Want Me To Do".

Always a fighter, Etta James overcame a heroin addiction, served as the opening act for the Rolling Stones, won six Grammys, and earned her distinction amongst the greats after being voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was thrust back into the national spotlight in 2008, when she was portrayed by Beyonce in the film "Cadillac Records". James was admired by contemporaries and was listed as a personal favorite by young up-and-comer Adele. De Leon, Etta's manager of 30-plus years, told CNN, "Etta James is unmanageable, and I'm the closest thing she's ever had to a manager."

In addition to her fans across the world, James leaves behind husband Artis Mills and two sons, who were by her side when she passed