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Etta James gets angry over "At Last"

Jen Sabella

When I initially heard what Etta James reportedly said about Beyoncé singing “At Last” during President Obama’s Inaugural Ball, I didn’t believe it — then I heard it for myself.

The rant was recorded at a concert at the Boulevard Casino in Coquitlam, British Columbia Saturday, when James, who was supportive of Beyoncé filling her shoes in the Cadillac Records film, said she was going to "whip her ass." She apparently wasn’t too thrilled with President Obama either, telling the crowd, “He ain’t my president.”

Here’s the whole shebang:

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. You know that woman he had singing for him, singing my song — she's gonna get her ass whipped. The great Beyoncé … But I can't stand Beyoncé. She has no business up there, singing up there on a big ol' president day … singing my song that I've been singing forever.

Ouch!

None of the gossip rags have been able to reach Beyoncé’s people for comment, and I’m sure Etta’s publicist will issue some sort of apologetic statement soon.

Meanwhile, some people are questioning whether Etta had a right to be upset about Beyoncé’s version of the song in the first place. Sure, Ms. James made it famous, but two others made it first.

Jazz musician Glenn Miller recorded the song in 1941 and Nat King Cole followed suit in 1957. Etta’s version, my personal favorite, was recorded in 1961.

Oh, and there is no record of a smack down between Cole, Miller and James ever happening.

Honestly, the situation is a sad one. Etta James is a musical legend above all, and probably should have at least been asked to sing along with Beyoncé for the ball. Then again, it sounds like she’s not such a big Barack fan anyway.

Jen Sabella's blog

Submitted by

Jen Sabella

on February 5, 2009 - 3:30pm.

TAGS ::

Classy.

Submitted by

Janzy (10 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 4:58pm.

Wow. Stay Classy etta James.

yes/sarcasm.

hohohooooly crap lol I

Submitted by

jenna dq (40 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 5:10pm.

hohohooooly crap lol

I can't believe what she said about the pres. I wonder why she feels that way

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Jenna-DQ/10596347849

Dear Etta James.

Submitted by

ChemistryOfACarCrash (13 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 5:19pm.

Dear Etta James.

Canada doesn't have a president. So saying "he might be your president" is a tick silly in relation to where you were in the world. however, as a Canadian, I would gladly call Mr O my president.

Love,

-Canada

Seconded.

Submitted by

Aeriana Eve (29 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 6:32pm.

My manager let me slip into the Bell Store during Inauguration and I was overcome with hope and you know, the feeling that eventually we're going to get somewhere.

And then I remembered that Canada has Stephen Harper from PM and for one- just one- brief moment, I wished I was American. And then I remembered all that great healthcare and came back to my senses.

Wish Granted.

Submitted by

sapphistafricana (300 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 11:35pm.

" I wished I was American."

You are American, if you're a Canadian, that is, just not U.S. American.

All Canadians are Americans, but not all Americans are Canadians.

Obnoxious

Submitted by

chickfactor (12 posts)

on February 6, 2009 - 2:13am.

Dear citizen,

"North American" does not equal (=/=) "American."

Puppies and love,

Captain Canada

Uninformed

Submitted by

sapphistafricana (300 posts)

on February 17, 2009 - 11:28am.

Dear citizen,

Yes it does. A citizen of any of the countries etc. of the Amercias is an American. Just like (East)Indians are Asians, though not necessarily Chinese.

Educationally yours,

sapphistafricana.

Oh, please take him. He's all yours

Submitted by

legallybrunette (38 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 8:04pm.

Please take all his "Umm..." and "Ahh..." and all his nominees who can't pay their taxes like rest of us do. Do also take his "bipartisan BS" and his empty promises during the campaign. You can also take his lobbyist appointees.

are you lost? (and i

Submitted by

sloane (267 posts)

on February 6, 2009 - 11:53am.

are you lost? (and i mean that in every possible sense of the word) this isn't a political post. if you're an american, then barack obama is your president. get over it honey, mmkay?

ha!

Submitted by

Nicole Mooring (29 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 9:28pm.

DEAR PANTS,

I SEE YOU THERE. PRETENDIN' YOU'RE CANADA. Want some neon vomit?

Love,

Pancake Mix

Dear Pancake Mix. I

Submitted by

ChemistryOfACarCrash (13 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 10:10pm.

Dear Pancake Mix.

I AM CANADA.

and you sir, are full of crazy.

love,

~~Pants~~CANADA

I gotta say...

Submitted by

KanyeKane78 (148 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 5:19pm.

I can understand why she is upset about this. Etta James is famous for "At Last" and to be swept aside for Beyonce is kind of like a slap in the face to her. Beyonce doesn't even do the song justice. But she shouldn't be attacking Sasha, it's not her fault.

Ditto

Submitted by

GreenBean2 (160 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 7:49pm.

That pretty much sums it up for what I think about it.

Maybe she's just a little peeved...ok very peeved off and said this without thinking it through. Maybe.... <_<

Not surprised.

Submitted by

Anonymous

on February 5, 2009 - 5:33pm.

Beyonce was in Dreamgirls, which was a not-so-subtle knock off of The Supremes and Etta James' careers/vocal stylings. I guess covering her song was just the icing on the cake.

I love Etta James like nobody's business. I can't really blame her for having a vendetta against Beyonce...I'm still hoping she makes some kind of outlandish comment about Aretha Franklin and her big ol' hat.

It's like listening to my grandmom go on about how she thinks her neighbors are wiretapping her landline.

Inkblots

"It's like listening to my

Submitted by

nz 2 ca (57 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 6:00pm.

"It's like listening to my grandmom go on about how she thinks her neighbors are wiretapping her landline."

The first thing that's made me smile all day, thanks :-)

Etta Etta Etta

Submitted by

schedulinggoddess (51 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 6:00pm.

It's not your song,you did'nt write it. Your rendition will live on forever and you are greater than this. Don't let the green monster rear it's ugly head. Youth,beauty and talent will always be preferred. As a side note this is another example that privacy is a thing of the past (Michael Phelps, Patti Lupone). Things said in small public forums will make it to the masses. Sad in a way.

I'm sure this is not respectful, but

Submitted by

mythofthefront (109 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 7:37pm.

I'm sure this is not respectful, but she may be loosing some cognitive abilities. She's just flying off on some rant like senile people do.

-----

The 4 winged dear with the metal tongue knows what it takes to get things done.

Jealous and egocentric

Submitted by

zephyr (768 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 7:43pm.

Etta James version of "At Last" used to be my favorite, but after some of the things I've learned about her, the shine has worn off. After listening to that comment from the recording, I think her lack of class is what kept her from being a part of the inauguration let alone being asked to sing. Ms. James was sounding old, bitter and graceless.

When they are in their prime certain singers deserve a lot of respect, but with age everyone's abilities decrease. They may still deserve respect for their lifetime achievements, but it doesn't mean they have the right to restrict anyone else's life or career. If only one person has the right to perform a particular song, there wouldn't be any songs that were standards and there would be no classical music. The music would die with the performer or composer.

Beyonce did a great job, and she was humble about the experience.

Almost off topic

Submitted by

FireWontQuell (151 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 8:22pm.

But Beyonce's chest in that pic... ! wow!

sounds....a lot ...

Submitted by

Nodame (1202 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 9:24pm.

like someone is jealous.

sounds suspiciously like a child who really wanted to do something and when they don't get their way... suddenly " didn't wanna see the stupid movie anyway" hmmmp! take that! ....

All I kept thinking was...

Submitted by

kzhamilton (11 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 10:14pm.

would people please try and remember that Canada is a different COUNTRY from the United States? Can't you just imagine all those polite Canadians going "Ummm...ok, but..."

Go ahead and have your paranoid rant, but at least keep track of which country you're in. I'm just sayin.

That makes me sad

Submitted by

Ally (56 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 10:23pm.

Etta James is one of my favorite musical artists and her version of "At Last" is my favorite. In my personal opinion, I think she put her heart and soul into her version, which is why I love it so much. However, what she said was wrong, just plain old wrong.

A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence. ~Leopold Stokowski

Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space betw

Singer behaves like diva - shock, horror!!!

Submitted by

LeahC (35 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 10:25pm.

Yeah, Etta's probably a bit nutty these days but it is her signature tune, it is wholly identified with her and, while she doesn't own the song - she OWNS the song.

Regardless what would the entertainment industry be without petty jealousy, bickering and a total disconnect from reality. Go get em' Etta, you crazy old broad.

A joke according to Etta James.

Submitted by

Anonymous

on February 5, 2009 - 10:35pm.

I have just read from concreteloop.com, what Etta James stated is a joke. Here is the source article explaining it being a joke.

http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_etta0206.2062...

Disappointing

Submitted by

pecola (1548 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 11:16pm.

This is highly disappointing. I'm a fan of Etta James and I can appreciate her frustration over a younger audience embracing a song she made famous, without acknowledging her, but that's the nature of the beast. I imagine Glenn Miller felt much the same way when Nat King Cole was more successful with the song than he'd been...and Cole was probably more disappointed than Miller when Etta topped his success.

It's the nature of the beast.

I have a love-hate relationship with Beyonce, so I'm not apt to rush to her defense too often, but she didn't do anything wrong here and her rendition of "At Last" during the inaugural ball was spectacular--not to mention that her portrayal of James in Cadillac Records was better than expected (arguably better than Beyonce's work in Dreamgirls). I don't know what greater acknowledgment Beyonce could offer Etta than playing her in a movie.

As for the "your President" quip, whatever...if only saying he's not my president made it so, the last eight years would've been a lot more bearable.

---

"The problem of power is how to achieve its responsible use rather than its irresponsible and indulgent use — of how to get men of power to live for the public rather than off the public." -- Robert F. Kennedy

Eeeeee!

Submitted by

avalaurent (129 posts)

on February 5, 2009 - 11:34pm.

I was a little worried when they were making Cadillac Records that Etta might be a little pissed Beyonce was playing her, but that went smoothly, so I was totally surprised to hear that she did this. Well, not totally, if you saw the movie and know anything about Etta, she's no Miss Congeniality, but I had hoped for better.

Etta is a wonderful performer and "At Last" will always be hers, but honestly, no one wants to see an old woman struggle through her signature song on Inauguration night. Even the biggest fan would only hear the flaws. Her recorded version is Perfection. There's a time to pass the torch and be confident in your own legacy and it's sad she's decided to react this way.

It's so disappointing that legends can fall prey to such petty things. About a year ago Aretha was mad Beyonce said that Tina Turner was the Queen of R&B amongst a billion other vague and general compliments in an awards show where she was just reading the speech someone else wrote. First of all, you're the Queen of Soul and second, who cares? Tina Turner is wonderful too! Can't you shut up and support other women for their accomplishments! They don't diminish yours.

I hope Beyonce doesn't respond. There's no need. It will only prolong Etta's embarassment. The high road is to let the story die or give Etta the time to retract her statements as gracefully as she can.

"Deep down, I'm pretty superficial" -Ava Gardner

old newz

Submitted by

Khia (193 posts)

on February 6, 2009 - 12:11am.

Well,Beyonce' and crew are known for taking credit for stuff she did not come up with and lying about it. I use to like her music,but I am pretty much sick of seeing her face every place. I think people need to dig deeper to as why Mizz James might be annoyed of Beyonce. It's just plain annoying to see her take every single movie role that comes up and to see that her only motivation is to win an Oscar. I am not daying that Mizz James is right one tad bit,but when you are sick of shi!t you tend to go off,but I see no point in writing something that has been circulatiing to be false. It could and it couldn't.

Dear Canadians, I like

Submitted by

brackishtea (1366 posts)

on February 6, 2009 - 3:09am.

Dear Canadians,

I like Canadian Bacon-a lot.

Love,

Brackishtea

P.S: She's a diva and we might be on a brink of a diva cat-fight. My gay sensibiliies are being tested by this and I don't like it!

Look here, Etta.

Submitted by

Anonymous

on February 6, 2009 - 9:07am.

sit yo' ass down somewhea'.

quit hatin'.

"Be who you are and say what you feel,
because those who mind don't matter
and those who matter don't mind." ~Dr. Seuss

Just kidding

Submitted by

Joyous (122 posts)

on February 6, 2009 - 10:30am.

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/02/05/2009-02-05_etta_james_truly_miffed_about_obama_snub.html

this is hilarious! etta's

Submitted by

sloane (267 posts)

on February 6, 2009 - 11:49am.

this is hilarious! etta's ass knows she's like 70 years old. she needs to quit. seriously though, i think as upset as she was she could have been more dignified, the whole "the big eared man is not my president" thing over something like this was out of line. on the other hand the omnipresence of beyonce is really irritating, so i can understand where etta was coming from. they could asked her to perform. or better yet, jennifer hudson. she is a better singer and reminds me more of etta then beyonce, personality wise.

ok..she has allot of people to pick a fight with..

Submitted by

gato (948 posts)

on February 6, 2009 - 12:09pm.

to name a few...

Some R&B versions of "At Last":

• At Last (Harry Warren-Mack Gordon)
Lee Richardson Apollo 1157 (1950)
Burnetta Evans Melford 260 (1950)
Buddy Johnson (vocal: Arthur Prysock) Decca 27998 (1952)
Eddie Johnson Chess 1503 (1952)
Gilbert Holiday Regent 1044 (1952)
The Mello-Tones Aires 1015 (1954)
The Dreamers (featuring Richard Berry) Flair 1052 (1954)
Val Martinez with Bill Doggett Orchestra King 4734 (1954)
Teddie Woods & The Mello-Tones Aries 1015 (1956)
(above record re-issued in 1961 as by Bo Rhambo)
John Lester & The Mello-Queens C&M 500 (1959)
Sil Austin from Mercury LP 60236 (1960)
Etta James Argo 5380 (1961)
Bo Rhambo Aries 7-10-6 (1961)
Lloyd Price from ABC Paramount LP 366 (1961)
Ben E. King from Atco LP 33-137 (1962)
Thelma Harper Jell 191 (1963)
Mary Wells from Motown LP 617 (1964)
Jimmy Bee Kent 4540 (1971)
Jessie James Zea 30,002 (1971)
The Temprees We Produce 1812 (1973)

Jason Mraz, Phoebe Snow, Miles Davis, Martina McBride, Céline Dion, Lou Rawls, Eva Cassidy, Christina Aguilera, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, Norah Jones, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Scott, The Manhattan Rhythm Kings, Aubrey O'Day, Beyonce Knowles, and Nikki Yanofsky.

One of my favorite versions is Cyndi Lauper

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