It is with a heavy heart that the music industry, and the world, says goodbye to one of the greatest female vocalists of all time today. Etta James, the legendary soul singer most famously known for her 1960 rendition of the softly swaying love song “At Last,” passed away in California on Friday (January 20) after a years-long battle with leukemia. James’ impact has reverberated through nearly six decades of pop music and will continue to influence future generations of musicians, as evidenced by the umpteen covers of her hits by artists and reality TV talent competition hopefuls alike.
For a taste of this, we’ve compiled a list of our 10 favorite Etta James covers below. Watch Adele, Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson and more pay tribute to the legend after the jump.
Beyoncé – “At Last” (for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama’s first dance at the 2009 Inaugural Ball) NOTE: this one wasn’t Etta’s favorite, but it was a soulful, emotional performance.
Christina Aguilera – “At Last” (Live from London)
Kelly Clarkson – “At Last” (American Idol audition, 2002)
Celine Dion – “At Last” (Live on the Oprah Winfrey Show)
Cyndi Lauper – “At Last”
Jason Mraz – “At Last”
Rachel Crow – “I’d Rather Go Blind” (The X Factor)
Adele – “Fool That I Am”
Josh Karjcik – “At Last” (The X Factor)
Rod Stewart – “I’d Rather Go Blind”
What is your favorite Etta James cover? Tell us in the comments, or on Twitter and Facebook.
You forgot Xtina’s ‘Something’s Gotta Hold On Me’ on Ellen & ‘Tough Lover’ from Burlesque. ‘I Prefer You’ from Stripped Tour.
You also forgot Stevie Nicks soulful cover of At Last, sung live.
The Beyonce video spammed out on me to some other person. Not pleased.
The most missed duo was, Dr. John with Etta singing, I’d Rather go Blind. The clip is on YouTube. It is so strong and soulful that it will bring tears to your eyes.
Rachel Crow, X Factor 2011 and Beyonce Knowles-Carter would be my favorites. Both young ladies sung ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’. Both renditions were perfect and beautifully sung..
It’s funny, I heard Rod Stewart’s version of “At Last” before I heard ‘the Master’, Etta James. I love both, but Etta is special and will be forever…
Christina oversang it. Beyonce’s voice is just too…um…..thin? And she oversings it as well. I’m not a big Celine fan, but others can take a lesson from her….LESS IS MORE! She was surprisingly good; and I didn’t expect Lauper’s version to be so danged good, lol. In no particular order the best are:
1. Adele
2. Cyndi Lauper
3. Celine Dion
4. Rod Stewart (also a big surprise)
Rachel has a promising career, but still needs to work on phrasing