Etta James | Latest News, Photos, and Videos

Kelly Clarkson belts out “I’d Rather Go Blind” as a tribute to the late Etta James during her Stronger tour performance at Radio City Music Hall on Saturday (January 21) in New York City.

The 29-year-old singer got her big break by singing an Etta James song, “At Last”, during her audition for the first season of American Idol.

Etta passed away on Friday (January 20) due to complications from Leukemia.

“This isn’t ‘At Last’ because everyone really covers that and so I wanted to do my favorite, actually. My favorite song is ‘I’d Rather Go Blind.’ So, this is for Etta!” she said of selecting a song to add to her set list as a tribute to the singer.

Watch Kelly pay tribute to Etta James below…

Beyonce has released a statement remembering the late Etta James, whom she portrayed in the movie Cadillac Records.

“This is a huge loss. Etta James was one of the greatest vocalists of our time,” Beyonce said. “I am so fortunate to have met such a queen. 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.”

Etta passed away on Friday (January 20) due to complications from Leukemia.

Etta James has passed away due to complications from leukemia at the age of 73.

The singer was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010, and also suffered from dementia and hepatitis C, according to CNN.

“This is a tremendous loss for the family, her friends and fans around the world,” Etta‘s longtime manager and friend Lupe De Leon said. “She was a true original who could sing it all — her music defied category.”

“I worked with Etta for over 30 years. She was my friend and I will miss her always,” he added.

We send our condolences to Etta‘s family and friends.

Etta James very publicly expressed her hatred for Beyonce at a concert in Seattle last week. (They looked so friendly together on the red carpet back in November!)

The 71-year old legendary singer said to her audience, “You guys know your President [Barack Obama], right? You know the one with the big ears? Wait a minute, he ain’t my President, he might be yours but he ain’t my President.”

Etta continued, “I tell you that woman he had singing for him, singing my song, she gonna get her ass whooped… The great Beyonce … but I can’t stand Beyonce. She has no business up there, singing up there on a big ol’ president day … singing my song ["At Last"] that I’ve been singing forever.”

Of note: Etta was the third person to record “At Last” in 1961 behind Glenn Miller (1941) and Nat King Cole (1957). Check out the rant below!