Etta James announces retirement

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Singer Etta James is planning to retire after the release of her final studio album next week, Universal Music Enterprises said Wednesday.

The 73-year-old rhythm and blues legend, who has been battling leukemia and other health issues over the past year, will release "The Dreamer" on October 25 through Verve Forecast.

The album is her first in five years and will feature her renditions of Otis Redding's "Cigarettes and Coffee" and Bobby "Blue" Bland's "Dreamer" to Ray Charles' "In The Evening" and Guns N' Roses' "Welcome To The Jungle."

James has won six Grammy Awards over her career, which spans five decades.