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Etta James's Record Sales Rise After Her Death

Music from soul legend Etta James enjoys a posthumous sales increase.

In the days following the death of soul icon Etta James, music lovers have rushed to their nearest retailer to purchase her timeless collection of songs.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, James’s catalog of albums sold 30,000 copies, resulting in a 378 percent spike in sales. James, who died last Friday (January 20) at the age of 73 after losing her battle with leukemia, made a profound impact on the Billboard charts during the week ending January 22.

Despite the short week, the late singer’s The Best of Etta James – 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection series jumped from No. 162 to No. 46 on the Billboard 200. It became her highest-charting album ever. Other albums in the catalog, including Her Best and At Last!, ranked among the top 100.

James’s most popular single, “At Last,” racked up a number of digital sales. With 63,000 downloads, it was No. 29 on the Digital Songs chart.

Now that music libraries with the R&B/blues singer’s best work have been updated, fans will have an opportunity to say goodbye to James at a public memorial on Friday (January 27). The open service will take place in Inglewood, California. A private ceremony will be held the following day, and Rev. Al Sharpton is expected to deliver the eulogy.

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(Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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