This is not a joke: 71-year-old Etta James actually threatened to beat the crap out of Beyonce Knowles -- and it's caught all on tape!

The war is all over Etta's song, "At Last " -- Beyonce sang the tune at Obama's 1st Inauguration Ball on Jan. 20th ... but last week at a concert in Seattle, James was still pissed.

While on stage, Etta told the crowd, "Your President, the one with the big ears ... he had that woman singing my song. She gone get her ass whipped."

She continued, "The great Beyonce ... I can't stand Beyonce."

Ironically Etta didn't kick up this sorta fuss when Beyoncé portrayed her in "Cadillac Records."

Reps for Beyonce had no comment.

http://www.tmz.com/2009/02/04/etta-james-t...whoop-your-ass/

"I can't stand Beyonce! She's going to get her ass whooped," Etta screamed (via) at an event celebrating her career. The chanteuse went on to slam Barack Obama for selecting Ms. Knowles to do the honors. "You know your president, the one with the big ears -- he ain't my president -- he had that woman singing for him at his Inauguration. How dare Beyonce sing my song that I been singing forever!"

Edited February 5, 200917 yr by Cheap21

Poor beyonce, are these older aging female singers jealous of her, first aretha franklin got on her case because she referred to tina turner as the queen of rock and roll or something like that and now etta james has a problem with her. I actually thought beyonce sang the song better in my opinion after listening to both versions. Etta just mad because she didn't get to sing the song to the president.

Go Etta!

Was Etta James not asked at all? It is kind of strange.

I wouldn't be insulted she sang the song, I'd be insulted she did it so poorly. It was awful to listen to. Cringe worthy.