jenywhaley: 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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