STAGE TUBE: AMERICAN IDOL Kelly Clarkson Pays Tribute to Etta James

Saturday night, American Idol star Kelly Clarkson paid homage to legendary singer Etta James at her concert performance at New York's Radio City Music Hall. James passed away at the age of 73 on Friday, January 20th due to complications related to leukemia.

At the live performance, Clarkson sang a classic James ballad, 'I'd Rather Go Blind', explaining to the sold out crowd, "This isn't 'At Last' because everyone really covers that and so I wanted to do my favorite, actually. My favorite song is 'I'd Rather Go Blind'. So, this is for Etta."

Clarkson was the first performer to win the Fox singing competition AMERICAN IDOL back in 2002. The singer performed James' 'At Last' at her intitial audition for the show. 

Clarkson will be seen this season as a mentor on the hit NBC talent competition THE VOICE which will return for its second season this February. She will also be performing 'The Star Spangled Banner' at this year's Super Bowl on February 5th. 

To view Clarkson's rendition of 'I'd Rather Go Blind', click below!