By Olivia Katrandjian

Jan 29, 2012 12:02pm

Etta James’ Funeral: Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder Pay Tribute

gty christina aguilera etta james funeral jt 120129 wblog Etta James Funeral: Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder Pay Tribute

Credit: Toby Canham/Getty Images

Hundreds of friends, family and some famous faces paid tribute to legendary singer Etta James Saturday at the City of Refuge church outside Los Angeles, Calif.

Christina Aguilera sang an incredible rendition of one of James’ best known hits, “At Last.”

“There’s a line in this song that says, ‘I found a dream that I could speak to,’” said Aguilera. “And for me that dream all my life has been Etta James. I’ve aspired to sing like her, to be like her, to emulate her notes and her passion and the love for what she did – I could feel it. Out of all the singers I’ve ever heard, she was the one that cut right to my soul and spoke to me.”

Stevie Wonder performed his song “Shelter in the Rain,” a harmonica solo, and led mourners in a rendition of “The Lord’s Prayer.”

ap Etta James Funeral stevie wonder jt 120129 wblog Etta James Funeral: Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder Pay Tribute

Credit: Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP Photo

Rev. Al Sharpton eulogized James, quoting a statement from President Barack Obama, “Etta will be remembered for her legendary voice and her contributions to our nation’s musical heritage.”

Sharpton called James a “bridge over troubled water.”

Click here to see photos of Etta James through the years.

James was buried after the service at Inglewood Park Cemetery.

James died from complications of leukemia. She had been diagnosed with chronic leukemia in January 2011. Court records show the 73-year-old entertainer also suffered from dementia and kidney failure.

Click here to read Etta James’ obituary.

Throughout her career, James has released 30 albums and 58 singles. She has explored the musical genres of gospel, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and jazz.

James was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and 2008.

In 2003, James received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. She was awarded six Grammys and 17 Blues Music Awards, and was named No. 22 on Rolling Stones’ 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.


 


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User Comments

Christina getting way tooooo fat

Posted by: Johnny Fullerton | January 29, 2012, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm

seems so insincere and impersonal when some young celebrity is the one paying tribute to someone so much older and have probably not really hung out with personally. look at how Etta treated Beyonce, so rude. I hate to speak ill of the dead but singing isn’t all that life’s about.

Posted by: guest | January 29, 2012, 4:15 pm 4:15 pm

Wow, why all the hate in the comments? Not the place or the time people. Rest in peace Etta.

Posted by: dan | January 29, 2012, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm

even at a funeral she dresses like a tramp.

Posted by: ray | January 29, 2012, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm

Christina ruined a great song as a supposed tribute. She should have stayed seated on a church pew. R.I.P Etta

Posted by: Craig | January 29, 2012, 7:52 pm 7:52 pm

wow

Posted by: danny | January 29, 2012, 9:31 pm 9:31 pm

i saw footage of ms. aguilera’s “tribute”. it would have been nice if she had remembered that it was not about how many vocal tricks she could play, but about honoring the memory of a great artist.

Posted by: justsane | January 29, 2012, 11:31 pm 11:31 pm

Aguilera over-sings everything. She has great range, but just needs training in how to use her voice. She’s only about 30…she’s got time to pull it together.

Posted by: Chris | January 30, 2012, 12:52 am 12:52 am

guys, why??? i mean common christina sang beautiful and powerful. none of you could/can even talk like her let along sing. so bring those negative comments to your mother!

Posted by: james | January 30, 2012, 3:45 am 3:45 am

No mention of the fact that she had a MENSTRUAL ACCIDENT during the song, that ran all the way down her legs!

Posted by: Dvrgrrl | January 30, 2012, 5:16 am 5:16 am

She murdered that song. She screeches and wails. Not pretty.

Posted by: LW | January 30, 2012, 11:00 am 11:00 am

“REST IN PEACE, AT LAST, Etta!” At Last has been & will forever be the song Lovers dream to. No matter who sings it, even me (No one can sings it like you did), if you have an open Heart, you’ll hear & feel the words, the meaning & the music. It will always be your Song, Etta & I LOVE it….You can now sing with the Angels, “AT LAST!” Much Love.

Posted by: L. Johnson | February 3, 2012, 4:16 am 4:16 am

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