Today we have an obituary for a wildly talented performer. Etta James – the smoky-voiced R&B singer whose career endured for fifty-plus years, passed away at age 73 from leukemia this past weekend. If you’ve heard her, you probably know what a truly astounding voice this lady had. James was perhaps most well-known for the songs “At Last” and “I Just Want To Make Love To You “ both of which enjoyed surges of popularity again in later years due to their use in commercials. Known to many as “the greatest modern blues singer”, Etta James began singing in church at age 14; she started to gain notoriety in the 1960s when she signed on with Chess Records, her music label for nearly twenty years. (There’s a pretty good movie called Cadillac Records, based on the real-life Chess Records, and in it Beyoncé plays James – and also sings “At Last” – definitely worth a look.) James racked up countless hits over the years and won six Grammy Awards. In 1983 she received a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame and she was also inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. She’s also credited with inspiring countless younger singers enjoying tremendous success today. Adele has said that Etta was a major influence upon her, and Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera, Lady Gaga and R.Kelly immediately took to the web to tweet and blog about this beloved blues icon… with the otherworldly voice. She shall be remembered.
Speaking of great voices, Aerosmith frontman and American Idol judge/enfant terrible Steven Tyler sang the National Anthem at yesterday’s AFC championship game. (Full disclosure: I happen to like Tyler a lot but didn’t actually catch the song live.) The Patriots were playing, and Tyler proudly wore Patriots garb and embraced the job – although there are many who think he was perfectly awful. Within minutes of the game Tyler’s rendition was sent all over the Internet, the subject of great ridicule. Did you watch it? What do you think? Was it just a tough crowd, and an even tougher environment — or was he genuinely lackluster? Let us know your thoughts.
Today’s poll:
Which of these Super Bowl National Anthem singers did it best?
1) Carrie Underwood
2) Whitney Houston
3) Jennifer Hudson
4) Faith Hill
SSB version of Marvin Gaye…Whitney Houston and JESSICA SANCHEZ !
I’ve been a serious Whitney fan since the age of about 9. She had a song for when I lost my first girlfriend, found new ones, got married, and had our daughter. A loss and a tradgedy to everyone.
Who Knew 2-17-12..we would have this conversation…Ms Whitney..gone…Hands Down..Ms Whitney..Marvin Gaye..she noted..was Inspiring..she Loved Marvins version…
Marvin Gaye, Marvin Gaye, Marvin Gaye no questions asked.
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Marvin Gaye then Jimi Hendrix.
I agree Marvin Gaye did great, but if you look it says the best Super Bowl National Anthem singer, Marvin Gaye did not sing at the Super Bowl. In that context, Whitney Houston is my choice
Marvin Gaye by far…
Robert Merrill used to sing before every Yankee home playoff game!
Mariah Carey Super Bowl 2002
Whitney’s rendition would make Francis Scott Key, the writer of the National Anthem, proud! She brought a feeling like no one else has to that song!
Whitney Houston stands out as the front runner, that even she can’t top that to date!
I have to agree with just about everyone here. Marvin Gaye was the best!! He made it his own without trying to sing it the way everyone else does. Whitney Houston was definitely 2nd. This article made me go to youtube and check out some of these. Haven’t heard them in a while.
Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, Jose Feliciano. Wish I could add Ray Charles’ rendition of America the Beautiful.
Boyz-to-Men, a few years ago at a basketball play-off — amazing.
Bay-bee, bay-bee!! Not a soul out there can compare to Marvin Gaye’s rendition at a basketball game a few 24-hours ago!! Still stands as the absolute best!! Then, Mz. Whitney did set the song on fire!! I’m a singer and it’s one of the most difficult melodies to negotiate; lots of highs and lots of lows in the same song have to come from the same voice!! Challenge…
Donald C. says:
Marvin Gaye is the best sung version. But don’t forget Jimi at Woodstock.
Marvin Gaye without a doubt the best, then Whitney everyone else pales in comparison!!!
Whitney Houston’s Star Spangled Banner is the best of all time. Her performance at the Superbowl is The Standard, the one that Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce and everyone else tries to copy. And her live SSB at her Welome Home Heroes concert (youtube) is probably the best there will ever be. When WH sings the Star Spangled Banner, everyone who has a heart is an American for the performance. And for those who like Marvin Gaye’s version (beautiful and unconventional), Whitney loved Marvin’s rendition of the song and used the same unconventional 4/4 time signature that Marvin used.
Marvin Gaye’s then Whitney Houston, but who can forget about Mary J.
Marvin Gaye by far, then Whitney, her rendition was heartfelt especially with what the country was going thru at that time.
My Fav…MARVIN GAYES Hands down!!!..Whitney Houston TIED..Marvin just put a different Spin..never heard since…lets give Faith Hill a vote..my Top Three
The best person to EVER sing the National Anthem was without a doubt, MARVIN GAYE
*Martina
None of the listed. Martine McBride rocked the national anthem.
none of them the best was marvin gaye
ME, AND I CAN SING IT PROUD
Whitney ALL. THE. WAY!!!!!!:D:D
Marvin Gaye, by far did the best of all.
whitney houston.. and marvin gaye are were the best
I think Mariah Carey’s 2002 Super Bowl performance at the New Orleans Superdome was one of the best!
Marvin Gaye! Get with the program!
Marvin Gaye, by far did an awesome and soulful job.
Whitney Houston out of the ones listed above, but I believe Beyonce should have been on that list. Her and Whitney Houston are two of the best I’ve ever heard!
Marvin Gaye. Look it up. By far the coolest rendition ever.
Whitney Houston without any question or doubt, hands down!
Definetly Whitney Houston with her amazing voice! No other singer has ever come close to such vocal talent!
Whitney Houston and her moment in time! WOW! Destine to have time stand still. She will never ever get that back.
That moment belongs to her.
Whitney – no contest – listen to it again – it was ABSOLUTELY amazing – NO contest
I think Whitney sing it the best, when she was at her best.But not taking anything away faith or Beyonce but yes Ms.Houston did it the best.
Whitney Houston and Faith Hill, but you forgot Beyonce Knowles has the best of all!