Stevie Wonder and Christina Aguilera joined Etta James's family and hundreds of mourners at the singer's funeral on Saturday. President Obama also offered his respects in a written statement, praising the blues icon's "legendary voice".
"The genius of Etta James is she flipped the script," said Reverend Al Sharpton, who conducted the service at Los Angeles's City of Refuge church. He emphasised how James overcame poverty and addiction, making music that transcended racial divides. "Etta James helped break down the culture curtain of America before the Civil Rights Act of 1964," he said. "She was able to get us to sing the same rhythms and melodies … Humming the same ballads and understanding each other's melodies way before we could even use the same hotels."
Sharpton also read the statement from Barack Obama, for whom one of James's songs, At Last, holds a special importance. "Etta will be remembered for her legendary voice and her contributions to our nation's musical heritage," he said. "I know she will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved her."
Aguilera performed At Last, acknowledging James as "the [singer] that cut right to my soul and spoke to me". James's backing band, the Roots, also appeared, while Wonder performed Shelter in the Rain and an a cappella version of the Lord's Prayer.
The singer's public viewing took place on Friday at Inglewood cemetery. Many fans waited in line for hours as James's songs rang out across the parking lot, according to the LA Times. The 73-year-old singer, who died of complications from leukaemia on 20 January, was laid to rest in a black suit with gold embroidery.
"You beat 'em, Etta," Sharpton said. "At last, you can find peace now! At last, you can get the gratitude of the saviour now! Etta, you made it, you're going home. At last! At last! At last!"
James is survived by Artis Mills, her husband of 42 years, and two sons, Donto and Sametto James. "Mom, I love you," Donto said from the stage. "When I get to the gates, can you please be there for me?"
