Etta James
ListenThe Wallflower · 1955
Etta James and the Peaches — “The Wallflower,” the original Modern recording released in 1955.
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1955 · Modern Records
The Wallflower / Hold Me, Squeeze Me
Etta James’s first record began as an answer to another hit. Singing with her friends in the Creolettes, the teenage Jamesetta Hawkins helped turn “Work With Me, Annie” into the teasing reply that Modern released as “The Wallflower.” [1]
| Accession | OMMA-0135 |
|---|---|
| Artist | Etta James and the Peaches |
| Release | 1955 · United States |
| Label | Modern Records · 947 |
| Format | 10-inch disc · 78 rpm |
| Issue | U.S. commercial issue |
| Runouts | Not documented |
| Recorded grade | Visible scuffs, scratches and haze |
Release history and significance
Hawkins and sisters Abye and Jean Mitchell met the Midnighters at a record hop and worked up their answer song, “Roll With Me, Henry.” Abye then persuaded Johnny Otis to hear the group. That audition led to a session for Modern in late 1954, with Richard Berry supplying Henry’s voice. [1]
Otis began playing the recording on his radio show. The Creolettes became the Peaches, while Jamesetta’s name was rearranged into Etta James. Retitled “The Wallflower” for release in January 1955, the record became an R&B number one. Its back-and-forth voices preserve the playful group performance behind James’s emergence as a solo star. [1]
Modern paired it with “Hold Me, Squeeze Me.” Both sides of this 78 carry writing credits to “James Etta” and “P. Otis,” preserving the names as they appeared on the early release. [2]
Market context
Discogs records sales for this Modern 947 edition from US$5 to US$30, with a median of US$20, as listed on 13 September 2026. The latest recorded sale was 26 September 2025. [2]
Physical Description
A ten-inch Modern Records 78 coupling “The Wallflower” and “Hold Me, Squeeze Me.” The labels carry catalogue number 947. [2]
Condition
The playing surfaces show numerous visible scuffs and scratches, with haze and other signs of use.
Provenance
Acquired on 30 July 2026 through eBay from bleithal, trading as Leithal Literature and Vinyl.
Sources
- Ace Records, Etta James artist profile. Creolettes, answer-song origins, Johnny Otis, Richard Berry and the first release.
- Discogs, Etta James and the Peaches, release 6097936. Modern 947 ten-inch 78, label credits, coupling and sales history.
Catalogue text reviewed 13 September 2026.