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Soul and R&B icon Etta James has died at the age of 73 following a lengthy battle leukemia, her longtime friend and manager Lupe De Leon confirmed to CNN. James, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010, passed away Jan. 20 in Riverside, Calif., with her husband Artis Mills and her two sons by her side.
Over a career that spanned nearly six decades, the "At Last" singer won six Grammys, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (in 1993) and touched the lives of millions of fans. Among them are a plethora of celebrities, who mourned James on Friday with sentimental blog posts and Twitter tributes.
"This is a huge loss. Etta James was one of the greatest vocalists of our time. I am so fortunate to have met such a queen. Her musical contributions will last a lifetime," Beyonce, who portrayed James in the 2009 film Cadillac Records, wrote on her website. "Playing Etta James taught me so much about myself, and singing her music inspired me to be a stronger artist. When she effortlessly opened her mouth, you could hear her pain and triumph. Her deeply emotional way of delivering a song told her story with no filter. She was fearless, and had guts. She will be missed."
Other celebrities, from Kirstie Alley to Denise Richards and Flo Rida, also paid homage to the legendary singer via Twitter. Here's what they had to say.
Kirstie Alley: "At last my love has come along..my lonely days are over….RIP Etta James."
Duff McKagan: "RIP Etta James. A WARRIOR of a woman. A talent without equal."
David Boreanaz: "The magic that is and will ever be has passed away. RIP Etta James. #soul."
Kelly Rowland: "CLASSIC. ONE OF A KIND. PURE SOUL. ETTA JAMES! Thank You for gracing us with your incredible talent & presence!"
Denise Richards: "so sad to hear Etta James passed away…..my heart goes out to her loved ones."
Nancy Grace: "Etta James, we loved you so. I danced to your songs at my wedding. Good night, friend."
Flo Rida: I'm deeply saddened by the passing of the Great Etta James and I will be forever grateful for the gift she blessed me with.
Gabrielle Union: We've lost another treasure…RIP ETTA JAMES
Harry Shum Jr.: "'At Last' is and always will be in my playlist for songs I can hear a million times and feel like it was new again. R.I.P. Etta James."
