ETTA JAMES - JAMES 'EMOTIONAL' AS BEYONCE SANG AT LAST

JAMES 'EMOTIONAL' AS BEYONCE SANG AT LAST

Blues singer ETTA JAMES was overcome with pride watching BEYONCE KNOWLES covering her classic song AT LAST for new U.S. President BARACK OBAMA.
Knowles, who depicts James in the drama Cadillac Records, sang the icon's 1961 ballad as Obama and his wife, Michelle, shared their first dance as America's President and First Lady following his inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday (20Jan09).
And James, who watched the performance live on TV in her California home, is delighted her love song has taken a place in history.
Her son, Donto James, tells the New York Daily News, "She was looking forward to seeing it. She was honoured (and) she thought it was great. She's gotten emotional, just like everybody else."
Knowles was one of the headline acts to appear at the politician's Neighborhood Ball celebration after he was officially sworn into office.
The Crazy In Love hitmaker was visibly moved during her performance and came close to breaking down, telling U.S. network ABC, "I was thinking (about) all the sacrifices Obama and his wife and his children have made, and at last he's here. I'm sorry, I'm so embarrassed. I'm just so lucky to be a part of this history. It's probably the most important day of my life, and I'm so grateful."