Blues Singer Etta James Dies at 73

US soul singer Etta James, born on January 25, 1938, best known for the tracks At Last and for I'd Rather Go Blind, died on Friday, January 20, at the age of 73. Her manager, Lupe De Leon, said the singer died early Friday at Riverside Community Hospital in Los Angeles. De Leon said the cause of death was complications of leukemia.

"It's a tremendous loss for her fans around the world," De Leon said. "She'll be missed. A great American singer. Her music defied category."

The star began singing in a group aged 14, before she embarked upon a solo career where she signed to the legendary Chess Records label. She went on to win six Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Legendary producer Jerry Wexler once called her "the greatest of all modern blues singers".

The singer is being remembered by Beyonce, who has quite the history with her. "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," Beyonce wrote on her blog. "Her musical contributions will last a lifetime. 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."