Etta James reproves Beyonce’s performance, stuns Mrs. Obama

Los Angeles, February 6: Beyonce Knowles played Etta James and offended her.

The 71-year-old singer is mad at Knowles for daring to perform her signature song "At Last" at an inaugural ball for President Barack Obama.

"I tell you, that woman he has singing for him, singing my song, she gonna get her ... whipped,” James said during a Jan. 28 concert at the Boulevard Casino in Coquitlam, British Columbia. “I can’t stand Beyonce, she had no business up there singing ... my song that I’ve been singing forever."

The first dance for Barack and Michelle Obama was just another occasion; Knowles had performed the song in the past and had also praised her predecessor publicly.

She had played Etta James in the December release "Cadillac Records" and had performed many tunes in the film, including "At last", the 1941 song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren.

At the picture’s premiere, Beyonce honored the music icon by saying, "She’s a living legend and I want her to love the movie, and I hope she does."

Well, Beyonce’s hopes were smashed by James, in her recent voice against the singer. Beyonce is reportedly stunned at the criticism lashed by James as is first lady Michelle Obama.

"It never crossed anyone's mind that there was anything inappropriate about Beyonce singing that song," a White House insider said, reportedly.

"First of all, the message of the song was so perfect. Beyonce sang it in the ['Cadillac Records'] film, and I don't think the people organizing that event even knew Etta was still performing. ... I'm sure some of the younger people involved didn't even know she is still alive!"

Impersonation followed by open admiration is normally accepted as an honor by the senior stars but Etta James annoyance is probably attributed to the appreciation that other people are receiving for her track, which had not done much for her.

While James had modest success with the song in 1961 but it was not an original then. Glenn Miller and his orchestra had first performed the track in the 1942 film "Orchestra Wives" and it was recorded as a terrific hit for the band leader.

Some also say James’ jealousy is making her reprove Beyonce. Etta James, in her long career, could only gather three Grammys while Beyonce already has 10 and is still a strong contender for collecting more.