Etta James died Friday at the age of 73, following a lengthy battle with leukemia. Joining fellow recording artists including Mariah Carey and Chaka Khan in remembering James, Christina Aguilera released a statement.
“Etta James was a force to be reckoned with. A true gift to music and a woman of great spirit and courage,” Aguilera wrote in a message posted on her website. “Her raw tone and the passion she put forth on a record spoke to me at a very young age and has continued to influence and inspire me throughout my career. She will NEVER be forgotten, her voice will forever live on and she will inspire talent for generations to come.”
As noted early on in her career, Aguilera counted James as a major inspiration. She has not only covered notable songs by James, including “At Last” in Live! concerts but performed “Something’s Got A Hold On Me” in her big screen debut “Burlesque” (2010).
Earlier in the day, Beyonce paid tribute to the late legend as well, calling her death “a huge loss”.
“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,” said Beyonce. “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.”
James leaves behind husband of 41 years, Artis Mills, and sons, Donto and Sametto James.
It was a sad day in the music industry when the iconic Etta James passed away at 73 due to complications of leukemia. Following her death, tributes came pouring in from some of today’s biggest stars, Christina Aguilera and Beyonce. Both singers paid homage to the late great artist, expressing how much she meant to them and their careers. Here we take a closer look at how these two influential women mourned Etta James’ passing, and what her legacy will mean for all artists who followed in her footsteps.
Christina Aguilera has been no stranger to paying tribute to strong female vocalists that have come before her; during her career, she has performed covers of songs by Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight and now Etta James. When news broke out that Etta had lost her battle with cancer, Xtina took to Twitter saying “Etta James you are forever an icon & your musical genius will live on.” This resonated with many fans as it not only showed respect for Ms.James but also highlighted how much influence she had within the music industry both then and now.
Beyonce is another singer who continues to be inspired by past greats like Etta James and credits her as one of her personal idols. When speaking about this amazing woman back in 2012, Bey said “I’m so blessed I got a chance to meet [Etta], just knowing where I came from…and hearing stories like hers keeps me humble.” With those kind words still echoing musically throughout the world after Etta’s death, Beyonce posted an image on Instagram captioned: “Rest In Peace Miss Etta James”. It was clear that even though they never collaborated together while alive, these two powerful figures were connected through their mutual admiration for each other’s work and dedication towards music excellence.
Life And Career Of Etta James
Etta James, born in 1938 and a celebrated blues singer and songwriter, passed away at the age of 73 due to leukemia. She was an influential figure who left an indelible mark on American music with her powerful voice, deep soulful sound and thought-provoking lyrics that spoke to generations. Throughout her career, she achieved unprecedented success as both a solo artist and collaborator.
James’ rise to fame began when she released her first album in 1955; it featured the beloved classic “At Last.” This song gained widespread popularity and served as an introduction to James’ talent for many fans around the world. Over time, Etta added other genres such as rhythm & blues, jazz, gospel and rock n roll into her repertoire. Her ability to combine different styles made her stand out from traditional singers of the era. As James continued releasing popular albums throughout the 1960s and 70s – including Tell Mama (1968), Chess Records Greatest Hits (1969) – she became known across America for signature hits like “I’d Rather Go Blind” or “The Wallflower”.
In later years, James received numerous awards for lifetime achievement including being inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001. Additionally, songs by Beyonce Knowles (“At Last”), Christina Aguilera (“A Sunday Kind Of Love”) have paid homage to her legacy through their own renditions of some of Etta’s greatest hits. With this outpouring of love from fellow musicians and devoted fans alike, Etta will forever be remembered not only for her timeless contributions but also for inspiring generations of artists to come after her.
Celebrities Pay Tribute
Celebrities around the world have paid tribute to Etta James, recognizing her immense talent and influence on the music industry. Notable mentions include Christina Aguilera who performed ‘A Sunday Kind Of Love’ as a fitting homage at the 2012 Grammy Awards and Beyonce Knowles who covered ‘At Last’, singing it acapella during President Obama’s Inaugural Ball in 2008.
In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Aguilera stated that she was “honored” to be able to pay tribute to such a legend. Similarly, when asked about covering one of James’ most iconic songs, Beyonce said: “Etta is extraordinary…She is a reminder of how truly timeless soulful music can be.” This recognition from fellow artists reveals just how much respect they held for Etta and admiration for her work.
The death of Etta has left fans heartbroken; however, her memory will live on through those who loved her music and continue to carry it into future generations. It’s clear that many are grieving this loss but also taking solace in the fact that thanks to Etta James’ pioneering spirit, soulful sound and powerful voice – we were all given something special which shall never be forgotten.
Conclusion
I. Reflection on Etta James’s Legacy
We can all take a moment to reflect on the remarkable life of Etta James and how she touched so many with her music. She was an incredibly talented artist who inspired generations of singers, including Christina Aguilera and Beyonce. Her legacy will live on in their performances and those of others for years to come.
II. Honoring Etta James
It is only fitting that Christina Aguilera and Beyonce honored Etta James by paying tribute to her memory after her passing. They both sang some of her most famous songs during a memorial service held in her honor, as did other artists such as Joss Stone and Adele. It was truly beautiful to see how much they respected this amazing woman who had made such an impact in the world of music.
III. Celebrating Etta James
Let us now celebrate the life of one incredible singer: Etta James. We should really be thankful that we were able to witness someone like her grace our music industry with her soulful voice and timeless sound. May she rest in peace knowing that she has left behind a powerful legacy that will never be forgotten!
