painless rove: Beyonce Mourns Etta James

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Beyonce Mourns Etta James

'She was fearless, and had guts. She will be missed,' Beyonce writes on her blog.
By Jocelyn Vena

Etta James and Beyoncé
Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

<P><a href="/news/articles/1677610/etta-james-dead.jhtml">Etta James died</a> on Friday (January 20) at the age of 73 after a lengthy battle with leukemia. The singer is being remembered by <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/knowles_beyonce/artist.jhtml">Beyoncé</a>, who has quite the history with her. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:727109.id:1677649" width="240" height="211"></div><p> "This is a huge loss. Etta James was one of the greatest vocalists of our time. I am so fortunate to have met such a queen," Beyoncé wrote on her <a href="http://www.beyonceonline.com/us/news/beyoncé-pays-tribute-eternally-great-etta-james" target="_blank">blog</a>. "Her musical contributions will last a lifetime. Playing Etta James taught me so much about myself, and singing her music inspired me to be a stronger artist. When she effortlessly opened her mouth, you could hear her pain and triumph. Her deeply emotional way of delivering a song told her story with no filter. She was fearless, and had guts. She will be missed." <a href="http://www.mtv.com/photos/thumbnails.jhtml?fid=1677612&view=thumb"><b>Photos: The life and career of Etta James.</a></b> B famously portrayed the blond jazz singer in the 2008 biopic "Cadillac Records." Her version of "At Last" from the film's soundtrack would later win a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Performance. Beyoncé's version of James' iconic ballad once-again made headlines when she performed the track at President Obama's inaugural ball in 2009. The performance was initially met with some criticism from the always-outspoken James, but she later came around. Beyoncé is the latest in a long line of <a href="/news/articles/1677631/etta-james-dead-reactions.jhtml">celebrities paying tribute to James</a>. "Showing respect, appreciation and love for all the wonderful music and joy #ettajames brought to the world...#ettajamesforever," Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am wrote on Twitter. Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams recalled how James' music influenced her. "#EttaJames, I will be forever grateful for your voice and your soul. Rest in peace." Rapper <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/flo_rida/artist.jhtml">Flo Rida</a> — whose latest hit, "Good Feeling," samples James' "Something's Got a Hold on Me" — wrote, "I'm deeply saddened by the passing of the Great Etta James and I will be forever grateful for the gift she Blessed me with." <i>Share your condolences with Etta James' friends and family on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mtvnews" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page.</i></p>

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