Beyoncé Knowles has paid tribute to the soul legend Etta James, who lost her battle with leukaemia on Friday last week.
The Love On Top star, 30, who played the role of a young Etta James in the 2008 movie Cadillac Records, hailed the 73-year-old as ““one of the greatest vocalists of our time”. "This is a huge loss,” Beyonce said. “Etta James was one of the greatest vocalists of our time. ”I am so fortunate to have met such a queen. Her musical contributions will last a lifetime."
British singer Adele has also paid tribute to Etta in a post on her own website, writing: "What a lady Etta James was. She was the ultimate original. Her voice was breath taking and her songs are reflections we all recognise in some way or another. "Its an honour every time I hear her voice. I saw her at BB Kings in New York a few years ago, and it was something I will remember forever. Thank you to Etta James. And I send all my love to her family and friends xxxx."
Etta was one of the most influential and critically acclaimed singers of the last century, with a musical career that spanned almost six decades. The multiple Grammy Award winner, often dubbed The Matriarch of R&B, moved seamlessly from styles including blues, jazz and soul.
Notoriously feisty in both her private and personal life, James slammed Beyoncé in 2009 after the singer performed her most famous hit, At Last, at the inauguration ball for president Barack Obama.
Speaking from the stage of Seattle's Paramount Theatre, the outspoken singer said: "You guys know your president, right? You know the one with the big ears? Wait a minute, he ain't my president. He might be yours; he ain't my president.
“But I tell you that woman he had singing for him, singing my song — she's going to get her a** whupped."Etta later apologised for the comments, suggesting she was simply upset not to have been asked to perform the song herself.
The 73-year-old passed away at a hospital in California following a long battle with leukaemia on Friday last week. Family members, including her husband Artis Mills and sons Donto and Sametto, were at the singer’s side during her last moments.