Legendary Blues singer Etta James died on Friday from complications of leukemia aged 73. Her husband Artis Mills and sons Donto James and Sametto James were by her side.
Flowers were placed on her star on the storied Hollywood Walk of Fame in tribute to the great singer.
Beyonce, who sang At Last at President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration, issued a statement:
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. Her musical contributions will last a lifetime.
Etta began her career in the 1950s with hits such as Dance With Me, Henry, At Last, Tell Mama, and I’d Rather Go Blind. She faced a number of personal problems, including drug addiction, before making a musical resurgence in the late 1980s with the album, The Seven Year Itch.
