Filed under: Music, News, Celeb Updates
Details of the 72-year-old singer's condition surfaced during a rocky California court case finding her husband, Artis Mills, attempting to control more than $1 million James' estate.
According to the Associated Press, James' Beverly Hills physician, Dr. Elaine James revealed in court documents that the 'At Last' singer is unable to sign her name and needs assistance with feeding, dressing and hygiene.
In February 2008 the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee granted power of attorney to sons Donto and Sametto James, and Donto's wife, Christ.
While Etta's son is asking a third party to control her assets "to avoid present and future family conflict and discrepancies," a court hearing set for today (Jan. 14) in considering Mills' request to transfer James' assets to a joint account so that he can monitor her spending.
Black Music Notes Jan. 12
1/12/10: Boosty Collins
Iconic Funk bassist Boosty Collins is set to release his first new studio project in five years, 'The Funk Capital of the World' on April 26. On Collins' latest effort he chose to tap into an all-star lineup of collaborators including former Parliament Funkadelic member George Clinton, rappers Snoop Dogg, Chuck D, and Ice Cube among others. "There are real messages on this album that I wanted to share," explains Collins, "whose soul-deep rhythms and layered melodies are punctuated by lyrics that range from meditations on the nature of truth and spiritual transcendence, to blissed-out joy."
1/12/10: Corinne Bailey Rae
Just in time for Valentine's Day, Corinne Bailey Rae is paying homage to some of her favorite musicians with the release of 'The Love EP.' The Grammy nominee's five track opus finds Bailey Rae covering Prince's 'I Wanna Be Your Lover,' Bob Marley's 'Is This Love,' Paul McCartney's 'My Love,' Sly & The Family Stone's 'Que Sera, Sera,' and Belly's 'Low Red Moon.' Corinne Bailey Rae's 'The Love EP' hits stores Jan. 25.
1/10/10: Janet Jackson
As previously reported by Black Music Notes, Janet Jackson is set to kick off her intimate 35-city 'Janet Jackson Number Ones, Up Close and Personal' international tour in Singapore on Feb. 7. In addition to Jackson's global trek, the platinum-selling singer will begin the North America leg on Mar. 7 in Chicago. During each show one lucky fan will have the chance to accompany Janet as one of her VIP guests. "I'm asking my fans and their friends, Parents, relatives, neighbors and teachers to nominate five people to qualify as one of the 20 under 20 in each place I will perform," she said in a statement. "At each concert the 20 people chosen and the person who nominated them will be VIP guests at my show. " Janet Jackson's North American tour concludes on April 23 in Las Vegas.
1/10/10: Rihanna
International Pop star Rihanna recently made history in the UK by becoming the first female artist to score five #1 singles in consecutive years. Her current single 'What's My Name' landed at the number one spot on the Singles Chart last week surpassing Elvis Presley, who previously held the record for his span of #1 hits from 1957 to 1963.
1/7/10: Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj has overcome all critics and disbelievers of her debut opus, 'Pink Friday.' The critically acclaimed album has reached platinum status within six weeks of its release, outpacing Kanye West's 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' which was also released on Nov. 22. To date, 'Pink Friday' remains the #2 Rap Album and the #4 Album in the country on Billboard's 200 charts.
1/7/10: Cee Lo Green, Sade, Michael Jackson
In preparation of the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards, set to take place on Feb. 13, comes the release of the 2011 Grammy Nominees album. The Jan. 25 release highlights 19 songs from various artists who are up for nominations this year including Cee Lo Green ('Forget You'), B.o.B ('Nothin On You'), Sade ('Babyfather'), and Michael Jackson ('This Is It') among others. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the album will benefit the MusiCares Foundation and the Grammy Foundation.
12/29/10: Janet Jackson
Good news for Janet Jackson fans of Southeast Asia. The multi-talented Pop singer will kick off her 35-city tour in Singapore on Feb. 7. Jackson will perform tracks from her 2009 greatest hits album, 'Number Ones' and plans on dedicating a song during each tour stop, which she promises will be "more intimate and more personal" than ever before. "It's not about effects, it's not an extravaganza, it's not about being as big as in the past," she said. "This one is all about you and me. I love you Singapore. Let's go!" Tickets for Janet Jackson Number Ones, Up Close and Personal tour go on sale Jan. 7.
12/20/10: Gladys Knight
Grammy Award winning R&B legend Gladys Knight has reunited with 'American Idol' judge and master producer Randy Jackson for her latest single, 'Settle,' which is being released digitally this week. The mid-tempo, guitar laden track, which is featrued on the critically-acclaimed soundtrack to the Tyler Perry movie 'For Colored Girls,' was co-written and co-produced by Shep Crawford and Montel Jordan. Knight is signed to Jackson's new DreamMerchant 21 record label and is putting up the finishing touches on an opus that should be out in 2011.
12/17/10: Jay-Z
In spite of landing on the New York Times Bestseller list with his memoir, 'Decoded' and announcing future plans of bringing his 40/40 Club to major airports across America. Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter has ditched plans on launching his own New York luxury hotel. According to the New York Post, Hov and his business partners recently returned $52 million to the lenders of the J Hotel project following lack of interest from investors. Jay's group purchased the property in Dec. 2007 for $66 million.
12/14/10: Lauryn Hill
In celebration of its 30th anniversary next month, New York's premiere Jazz club, The Blue Note is preparing to feature Grammy-Award winning singer-songwriter Lauryn Hill for three special nights. Given Ms. Hill's much anticipated Blue Note debut on Jan. 3, the limited engagement sold out within minutes of its announcement. Lauryn Hill's Blue Note appearance concludes on Jan. 5