Etta James, the powerhouse voice behind “At Last,” left behind a musical legacy that extended well beyond her own legendary stage presence.
Her two sons, Donto and Sametto, were not just spectators to her fame; they served as essential collaborators in the latter stages of the iconic singer’s career, performing as part of her band and contributing to her studio success.
The singer, who rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s, passed away on January 20, 2012, just five days before her 74th birthday. Throughout her life, she welcomed two sons who both inherited her musical talents.
While the identity of Sametto’s father remains unclear, he was raised by James’ long-term husband, Artis Mills. According to Hello!, both brothers were integral to their mother’s professional life, joining her on tours where Donto played drums and Sametto played bass guitar.
The brothers also expanded their roles into the studio, serving as producers on the albums Let’s Roll and Blues to the Bone, released in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Both of these projects earned the pair Grammy Awards.
Despite the glamour associated with their mother’s status, Donto said that their upbringing was not defined by wealth. In a 2012 interview with the Daily Beast, Donto said:
“People tended to think that because my mother was Etta James I must have had a great life with caviar and steaks every night, but it wasn’t like that.”
“We were poor and broke. We were lucky to get Spam sandwiches and frosted flakes for dessert. We are talking about eating cereal in water but we always had a roof over our heads. It wasn’t like we were starving. We did all right.”
Following the singer’s death, Donto reflected on his mother’s passing, sharing that he was by her side during her final moments. He told People:
“It’s been quite a day but I’m very grateful. She basically passed in my arms, and I was able to share everything I needed to say to her, from praying to listing her accomplishments as a mother.”
“I told her that I loved her. I said, ‘You were a wonderful mother, you did a wonderful job, your seven grandchildren love you, and they will be okay.'”
