Etta James Blasts Beyonce For Singing At Last At Barack Obama Inaugural Ball

The great soul diva Etta James put Beyonce on blast for disrespecting her by singing "At Last" to President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the Inaugural Ball.


Listen to Etta James TMZ audio where she disses Beyonce. The performance video of Beyonce serenading the first couple singing At Last is included if you missed it.

Etta James tells her audience...."How is she gonna stand up there and sing my song that I have been singing forever?" 



Etta James has a point because after more than 10 years worth of songs in Beyonce's career she doesn't have her own signature ballad.


Remember a few months ago when Etta James had some nice things to say about Beyoncé's portrayal of her in "Cadillac Records"? Well, apparently the good vibes have dissipated. James unleashed a verbal beat-down on B last week during a concert in which she, believe it or not, threatened to whip the "Single Ladies" singer's butt.

Though she wasn't the first singer to perform it, the 71-year-old James has made the smoldering ballad "At Last" her signature song since it became a hit for her in 1961. Beyoncé sang for President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama's first dance at the Neighborhood Ball two weeks ago. For some reason, that seems to have angered James, who put Beyoncé, and the president, for that matter, on blast during a show at Seattle's Paramount Theatre on January 28.

During the gig, she criticized the singer's performance at the inauguration. "You guys know your president, right? You know the one with the big ears?" began her rant, a recording of which was obtained by TMZ. "Wait a minute, he ain't my president. He might be yours; he ain't my president. But I tell you that woman he had singing for him, singing my song — she's going to get her a-- whipped.

"The great Beyoncé," James went on. "Like I said, she ain't mine. ... I can't stand Beyoncé. She has no business up there, singing up there on a big ol' president day, gonna be singing my song that I've been singing forever."  source

Published 2/5/09 by

BinsideTV 179 BinsideTV

DISCLAIMER: This posting was submitted by a user of the site not from The Insider editorial staff. All users have acknowledged and agreed that the submission of their story and its contents is in compliance with our Terms of Use.

Comments (6)

  • orLogin
  • I think Beyonce did a beautiful job and Etta Should have more class than what she is displaying which is none. She has passed the time for her to be center stage so fade away gracefully...obviously Etta can't.
    Anonymous 2/25/09 Reply
  • Etta should be happy that her song was apart of the inauguration and proud that B did a beautiful job. She just hatting
    Anonymous 2/9/09 Reply
  • You'd think the old bitty would be happy because they did a story of her life, or maybe that's the problem, now everybody knows she was a druggy and an alcoholic. Lets not forget she was famous for not showing up for performances. She's just jealous...
    Anonymous 2/7/09 Reply
  • i think b did a great job i cried like a baby i think etta is just upset because she didnt get to sing it and from what people are saying etta is washed up and she had her time now its b time
    lavern 2/6/09 Reply
  • I think Etta went to far dissing the president, I understand her being upset at Beyonce however. That is Etta's signature song so "B" needs to stop singing it like she made it famous.
    Anonymous 2/5/09 Reply
  • Beyonce's signature ballad is "Dangerously In Love". Before the inauguration, Etta was all over B. Now, she wants the spotlight...well, ur over 70...sit down and be a lady....learn how to be a legend...Beyonce is becoming a legend....No one has...
    Anonymous 2/5/09 Reply