Get Better, Etta! You, too, Lindsay.

Etta James is reportedly on the mend, which is good news for those of us who enjoy her music.

While she gained superstar status at the age of 23, Ms. James' life has not exactly been the stuff that dreams are made of. She started making the rounds at age 14 and in her later years, a nasty, decade-long heroin habit took its toll on her talent (or at least her ability to share it).

I'm reminded of all the brouhaha surrounding all these young girls whose personal lives and personal problems are being bandied about on TV, on blogs and on magazine covers:

Today's hit-makers, tomorrow's hit-takers and a bevy of backstage beauties hankering to take their place.

Oh, and let's not forget the members of the audience (myself included) who celebrate their success and feast on their failures.

It's unnecessary and extremely cruel...something's got a hold on us (all), indeed.