An outpour of sympathy has flooded social media and news outlets since the announcement of R&B pioneer Etta James‘ passing earlier today. And, while news of the ‘At Last’ singer’s death is still sending shockwaves through the industry, stars who have imparted covers of some of her most cherished hits are sharing their thoughts on the matter.
A songstress who has repeatedly praised James throughout her own career is Christina Aguilera. Making her soulful cover of Etta’s most memorable hit a staple in her own live showings, Aguilera took to her official website to say:
“Etta James was a force to be reckoned with. A true gift to music and a woman of great spirit and courage.
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.”
Like fellow belter Beyonce, Xtina too was afforded a chance to spend time with the legendary songstress – one whom she has long touted to be an idol of hers. Take a look at the two’s photoshoot from years past after the jump:
Despite it being less than a month away, there is no doubt the Grammys are cooking up a tribute to the soulful legend. Here’s hoping that Christina, or artists of similar vocal merit, are tapped to take part.
You will forever be in my heart Ms. Etta! My thoughts go out to Etta’s family. I love Something’s Got A Hold On Me and At Last.
Christina truly did love her and made that known throughout her entire career.
IMO, Christina is a 2nd coming of Etta.
You can definitely tell through the way Christina sings and her overall stage prescence and work ethic was inspired a great deal by Etta.
We have lost a legend, but we still have christina and etta will forever live in christina.
Rest In Peace Etta James.
Thank you Christina Aguilera for intoducing me to Etta’s gift & music. Hope you tribute her at the Grammy’s!
@TinaSouthAfrica
Reading this brought tears to my eyes, my condolences and prayers go to her family.
I became an instant fan of Etta’s when I heard Christina sing At Last and Something’s Got A Hold On Me. I thank her for introducing me to a wonderful songbird like Etta James… Thinking of you today, Etta.
I will be UPSET if the grammy’s do a tribute and Christina isn’t apart of it. If they ask her she would most likely do it without a moments thought. As much as i like Bey I don’t think Etta would want her to do a tribute for her at the Grammy’s. Etta would want Christina to do it.
Its gonna be a snoozefest if Beyonce’s gonna sing ‘At Last’. She’s good on other songs from Cadillac Records but not this one.
I LOVE Aguie! RIP Etta!
I would love to see a CHristina – Beyoncé tribute @ the Grammy’s. THe best 2 voices of our generation, both loved Etta, Etta loved them both. Their tribute would rule the show. 🙂
R.I.P. Etta James. Her music will live on.
As @LEGENDTINA said, Christina managed to introduce Etta’s music to a whole new generation. In 2002, she was the biggest pop artist in the world, yet she chose to sing ‘At Last’ on tour…big risk! But it worked, she nailed it and she re-introduced this gem to the masses! And then her ‘Something’s Got A Hold On Me’ performances in 2010, which she nailed as well.
It would be great if she performed in an Etta James tribute. She can kill it and blow everyone’s minds, I’m sure…That said, she should also perform her new single at the Grammy’s and I wouldn’t like her to ommit that…
R.I.P Etta!
f*** you grapejuice! you did not include her on your diva list! c****! you lot dont have respect for her, even after I complained that you forget her! snm
my girl
RIP EJ
Meh…Xtina can strain and screech all she wants, she will NEVER be a vocal Diva like Etta James. Xtina is still lost and confused on the kinda artist she wants to be. I hope the Grammys don’t invite this straining mess to ruining Etta’s classics like she’s done in the past. Plus contrary to lies been passed around, Etta was suffering from Dementia and did apologize to Beyonce and President Obama for her outburst(her son confirmed it).
That was so sweet of Christina. How is Christina lost and confused when she’s stated since the beginning she was a chameleon, every artist doesn’t have to sing the same type of music to know what kind of artist they want to be. Christina never wanted to be categorized and I don’t appreciate Daretodeal starting trouble. She should definitely honor her. Dementia or not I’m sure Etta meant what she said about Beyonce. It was outright disrespectful and her accent she used in Cadallic Records was not it.
Christina has cited Etta as her biggest inspiration since she came onto the scene 13 years ago, got her record deal by singing ‘At Last,’ and there are even videos of her singing ‘Sunday Kind of Love’ at the ripe old age of 6 (and 8 on Star Search). She was the biggest Etta fan around, has covered ‘At Last’ since her career began and most recently covered several of her songs on the Burlessque soundtrack. Not only that, she did a photoshoot and interview with Etta where they sang together and Etta said Xtina was her favorite vocalist and did her favorite cover of ‘At Last.’ She also said she has an old soul and they were cut from the same cloth. Etta openly disliked Beyonce, so I don’t see why you would post Beyonce’s response, when Etta loathed her. “I can’t stand Beyonce.” Obama and Beyonce disrespected her and she wasn’t having it. Also, Etta defied genre, just as Chrisitna has defied genre.
Finally an article that doesn’t paint Christina in a bad light. If it wasn’t for Christina, I wouldn’t know who Etta James is.
I hope that the Grammys hold a special tribute for Etta and have Christina and Adele be a part of it.
@DareToDeal
then Etta must have been confused too since she has done…
Blues, Rock&Roll, Jazz, Gospel, Soul, Pop….. Please have a seat
Xtina would be the go to girl for this tribute….She has always talked about the great Etta James… she has been singing her stuff since she was six years old.
Lol at the comment ” etta had dementia so she don’t know what she was saying” loool. First off do you even know what dementia is??? dementia is to do with extreme semantic memory loss as in forgetting a loved ones name or face etc NOT to do with schizophrenic ramblings! Obviously come on it only takes one listen of etta hating on beyonce… We all know etta apologised cos she got found out and tried to save face. Noone believes she was joking.. At last was her signature song( well not officially) but she made it a classic and for someone younger to sing etta song at the first US black president and not get mad??? U must be sooooo naive!
I became a fan of Etta James when I heard “At Last” for the first time back in 1999, when Christina Aguilera sang the song at Much Music.
I could not believe my ears, Christina Aguilera sang that song so EPICALLY WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Etta James has a beautiful sounding voice, I’ve been listening to some of her music today.
i think christina would be honored to do a tribute at the grammy’s for etta james and i think they should put christina in a tribute for her, the legend herself said christina is the favorite singer covering her songs
RIP Etta, i knew some of her music “At last” etc for ever but Christina did make me look deeper and appreciate Etta more and she obviously looked up to Etta her whole life so if the Grammys do have a tribute and Christina isn’t a part i will be disgusted, even more if Beyonce is a part…
And YES Dementia has NOTHING to do with knowing your own opinion, Etta’s son obviously said what he did because he didn’t want her to look bad (to who? some Bey stans… ) but Etta knew her own mind and was MORE than entitled to speak it.
RIP Etta x
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