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| Etta James |
Hundreds of friends, family and fans of James, who died Jan. 20 at age 73 after battling leukemia and other ailments, turned out for a rousing goodbye to an artist remembered for her authentic singing style and her triumph against all odds to break down cultural, racial and musical barriers.
Late in life, James' gorgeous 1961 classic At Last became an anthem for weddings and commercials -- and a presidential inauguration. President Obama and his wife, first lady Michelle Obama, shared their first inaugural ball dance in January 2009 to a version of the song sung by Beyonce.
The Rev. Sharpton, a civil-rights activist now hosting a cable news show, and a longtime friend of the singer, opened his eulogy at the service, in a church in Gardena south of downtown Los Angeles, by reading a statement from the president.
"Etta will be remembered for her legendary voice and her contributions to our nation's musical heritage," it read, reported the Associated Press.
With James' rose-draped casket on display, surrounded by floral arrangements and pictures of the four-time Grammy-winning singer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Wonder and Aguilera filled the City of Refuge church with their voices. Aguilera told the mourners that James was her musical inspiration, and that she has included At Last in every concert as a tribute.
"It does not matter who sang At Last before or after Etta," said Rep. Maxine Waters, the Democratic congresswoman who also spoke. "It does not matter when it was sung, or where it was sung. At Last was branded by Etta, the raunchy diva -- that's her signature and we will always remember her."
After overcoming poverty, personal pain and addiction, Sharpton said, James turned her pain into power and art, her story from tragedy to triumph.
"You beat 'em, Etta," Sharpton said in concluding, as the assembled mourners roared to their feet. "At last. At last. At last!"
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