Etta James with the Grateful Dead and the Tower of Power Horns: Live Performance (1982)

Two days ago I was sitting in the hotel lobby before heading out to the NAMM show and saw a news alert that singer Etta James had passed away. She would have been 74 on Wednesday.

Facebook friend Crystal Gloistein shared this video from New Years Eve 1982 featuring one incredible line up: Etta James on vocals, the Grateful Dead and the Tower of Power horn section. Here, they perform Otis Redding’s “Hard to Handle”. Phil Lesh is of course on bass.

RIP, Etta.

Get the Daily Bass Video in your inbox.

Sign up to get the daily bass video delivered to you.

Share your thoughts

  1. Thanks for sharing.That was great!

  2. this was sensational…..thanks so much for sharing……

  3. Hard To Handle the news of Etta James passing. She’ll be missed.

  4. A incredible piece of film. Shame that more technology was not used in those times.

  5. grande,,,,,,,,,,,, Etta,,,,,,,,,,

  6. Thanks for posting.Etta will be missed.