UPDATE-Etta James funeral included a rousing tribute performance by Christina Aguileraand Stevie Wonder. James, 73, died on January 20th after a long battle with Leukemia and after life-threatening diseases. The Rhythm and Blues legend was remembered by 300 hundred close friends and family people at Greater Bethany Community Church City of Refuge in Gardena, CA. Hundreds of fans waited outside for the public viewing at Inglewood Cemetery Mortuary.
Reverend Al Sharpton, who gave the Eulogy, began with a statement provide by President Barack Obama,
“Etta will be remembered for her legendary voice and her contributions to our nation’s musical heritage,” CNN reports.
“I know she will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved her,” continued Sharpton.
Christina Aguilera performed Etta’s classic ‘At Last’ while Stevie Wonder performed “Shelter in the Rain” and sang “The Lord’s Prayer”.
Etta who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year experienced a 378 percent spike in posthumous sales.
James overcame and triumphed as Al Sharpton puts it best,
“I think it was her authenticity that was part of the charisma that drew people to her … It was Etta James that bridged rhythm and blues with rock and roll.”
“You beat ’em, Etta, At last. At last. At last!”
Watch Christina Aguilera perform Etta James’ ‘At Last’ below:
UPDATE: Video roundup of Etta James’ funeral including word from Al Sharpton, Maxine Waters and Donto James
Sarah Jessica Parker Replaces Demi Moore In Lovelace
Sarah Jessica Parker has been chosen to replace Demi Moore as Gloria Steinem in the biopic ‘Lovelace’. Demi More who’s 911 call was released on Friday dropped out of the film last week Tuesday. Moore has suffered something of a break down after collapsing with seizure like symptoms. While Moore’s hospitalization was a result of experimenting with Whip-It’s a nitrous oxide substance, her friends attribute the break down to her divorce from Ashton Kutcher and the death of a close friend.
Parker will step into the role of the feminist Steinem and join Amanda Seyfried who plays the porn star Linda Lovelace.
Christina Aguilera performing Etta James’ classic – At Last – Video
UPDATE: Video roundup of Etta James’ funeral including word from Al Sharpton, Maxine Waters and Donto James
