Adele Pays Tribute to Etta James: "She Was the Ultimate Original"

On her website Adele wrote, "What a lady Etta James was. She was the ultimate original. Her voice was breathtaking and her songs are reflections we all recognise in some way or another. Its an honour every time I hear her voice. I saw her at BB Kings in New York a few years ago, and it was something I will remember forever. Thank you to Etta James. And i send all my love to her family and friends xxxx."

According to E! News, a private memorial is scheduled for this Saturday in Gardena, Calif. Sounds like the funeral will include several celebrity performances but right now the roster is hush hush.

Considering the funeral will be private, the public may attend a public viewing this Friday at the Inglewood Cemetary Mortuary in L.A. A receptionist told E! News they have an "undetermined" number of attendees right now, but she added, "We're just going to do our best to accommodate everyone who comes in for her viewing. Huge is putting it mildly."