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."

A review of the show in the Seattle Times noted James' reputation as a bawdy performer, adding that she made "lewd facial and hand gestures" during her opening song, "Come to Mama."

Beyoncé won critical acclaim for portraying James in "Cadillac Records," and has performed "At Last" several times since the movie was released, including in front of James, who has not made this kind of public fuss over it previously. A spokesperson for Beyoncé could not be reached for comment at press time. Beyoncé got in hot water with another icon last year at the Grammys, when soul legend Aretha Franklin ripped into B for introducing Tina Turner as "the queen," a title Franklin has claimed as her own.


http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604348/20090205/knowles_beyonce.jhtml

http://www.popeater.com/music/article/etta-james-feud-beyonce-barack-obama/330576?icid=200100397x1218488190x1201231256 (http://www.popeater.com/music/article/etta-james-feud-beyonce-barack-obama/330576?icid=200100397x1218488190x1201231256)

Etta James Doles Out Harsh 'Last' Words for Beyonce, Obama

(Feb. 5) - Etta James sure can hold a grudge, that much is certain after the R&B icon vented her gripes about singer Beyonce Knowles and President Barack Obama during a recent concert in Seattle.

The 71-year-old diva is steaming mad over Beyonce's performance of 'At Last,' her signature tune, at Obama's first inauguration party. The President and First Lady Michelle Obama danced to the legendary ballad (see photos below). The fiery rant, in which she threatens to beat up "that woman" and o

"You guys know your president, right? You know the one with the big ears?" she said to the crowd, unsure of what lay ahead. "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 going to get her ass whipped."

Beyonce played James on the big screen recently, in 'Cadillac Records.' Now, we have an idea what the elder singer thinks of her movie version. She continued at the concert:

"The great Beyonce. I can't stand Beyonce," she told the crowd. "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."

James is best known for 'At Last,' released in 1961 on Chess Records, but she has scores of other hits including 'Trust in Me' and 'Fool That I Am.'

Beyonce ruffled the sequins of another diva last year when at the Grammy Awards she introduced Tina Turner, and not Aretha Franklin, as "The Queen." Her royal highness the Queen of Soul was not pleased by the diss, and called it a "cheap shot."

http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/kegallerypub/blank.gif (http://javascript<b></b>:soKe.pgPopUp('popeater-popeater_music_celebrity_fights'))


http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/kegallerypub/blank.gif (http://javascript<b></b>:soKe.pgPopUp('popeater-popeater_music_celebrity_fights'))

OUCH. :eek:

This story reminds me to the thread from a few days ago about Faye Dunaway ripping Hilary Duff for doing a "Bonnie And Clyde" movie.

As much as we should respect some of the accomplishments of our older actors, singers and performers, sometimes you have to accept the fact that they can be aging divas who refuse to give any props to a new generation of stars.

Miserable old bat.

;)

Jealousy is not attractive, especially for a woman your age, Etta...

:eek: :eek: Yikes!!! :eek: :eek:

Gee, I think someone's bitter! :eek: :lol:

I don't think Beyonce should be singing her song if Etta James did not approve of it. It is her song. Why didn't they get Etta James to sing it herself. Or if they wanted Beyonce. Why didn't Beyonce sing one of her own songs?

I don't think Beyonce should be singing her song if Etta James did not approve of it. It is her song. Why didn't they get Etta James to sing it herself. Or if they wanted Beyonce. Why didn't Beyonce sing one of her own songs?
I don't know why Etta wasn't invited to sing there, but she doesn't own the rights to the song. Beyonce or anyone else can sing it.

Etta needs to grow up. That song was written for a movie called Orchestra Wives long before James sang it, she didn't write it and she has no claim to it. Etta James never had that big of a career to begin with, her only hit was "At Last", so I guess she felt the need to take out her anger on another singer.

Etta needs to grow up. That song was written for a movie called Orchestra Wives long before James sang it, she didn't write it and she has no claim to it. Etta James was never had that big of a career to begin with, her only hit was "At Last", soI guess she felt the need to take out her anger on another singer.
I agree - that's the only song of hers I know!

Beyonce or anyone else can sing it.

Yep, and they can do it just as well, if not better than she can. For example, Martina McBride:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVm1sAJKeJw

(no clue about the actual images in that video)

I don't know why Etta wasn't invited to sing there, but she doesn't own the rights to the song. Beyonce or anyone else can sing it.


Oh ok. I thought she wrote that song.

Oh ok. I thought she wrote that song.
No she didn't, but the song is so associated with her that I can see why people would think that.

No she didn't, but the song is so associated with her that I can see why people would think that.


Very few (female especially) artists back then wrote their own stuff. Maybe if they played an instrument along with (i.e. Bo Diddly). I love Etta's version yes, but you don't own the song! It's like if Whitney Houston tried to stop someone from singing one of the songs closely associated with her - they might do a good job, but it will always be associated with the one who made it a hit in the first place.

I think Beyonce did a fantastic job and frankly, looked more "a part of the crowd" and age group as this is a young president. It would have looked strange for this fresh, new first family dancing to some old bat who could probably barely hold the microphone!

Listen to this - I'm not buying it. :lol:

http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/45270820

Etta James says she was mocking Beyonce for laughs

02/06/2009 4:00 PM, AP


Etta James says she was joking when she said she "can't stand Beyonce" and would "whip" the singer for performing James' hit "At Last" at an inaugural ball for President Barack Obama.

The 71-year-old singer tells the New York Daily News she "didn't really mean anything" by her remarks at a concert last week.

James says: "Even as a little child, I've always had that comedian kind of attitude. ... That's probably what went into it."

Even so, James says it stung that she wasn't asked to sing her most famous song on the historic night.
James says she liked Beyonce's version but thinks she could have done a better job. She says it's "a shame to say that."

Beyonce portrayed James — and sang the 1941 song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren — in the film "Cadillac Records" last year.

Beyonce's spokeswoman did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

Yesterday it was Miley Cyrus making a lame apology and today we have Etta James making a lame explanation for her outburst. Come on, if your going to be this stupid at least come up with a better excuse and/or apology. Your behavior was lame enough you don't need to follow it up with even more lameness.

:yeahthat