After an extended battle with leukemia, legendary R&B singer Etta James passed away on Friday at 73. While most famous for her signature song, “At Last” — played at countless wedding receptions — my first encounter with James’ music was via the 1985 soundtrack to Back To the Future, which included “The Wallflower (Roll With Me Henry),” a 1955 single she’d co-written that showed off her wilder side.

Desiring to pay a small tribute to Etta James today, but wanting to steer clear of covers of “At Last,” I discovered that Christine McVie recorded “I’d Rather Go Blind” back when she was still Christine Perfect and a member of the British blues band, Chicken Shack, pre-Fleetwood Mac.

James originally recorded “I’d Rather Go Blind” in 1967. The heartbreaking song served as the flip for her 1967 single “Tell Mama,” which reached #23 on the Billboard Hot 100 and did even better on the R&B chart, peaking at #10. Thanks to that B-side exposure (and her emotional performance), “Blind” became another of James’ signature songs.

Chicken Shack released their cover of “I’d Rather Go Blind” in 1969, climbing to #14 on the UK chart. The song also appeared on 1970’s Christine Perfect, Christine McVie’s debut solo album, re-released in 1976 by Sire Records as The Legendary Christine Perfect Album:

Just last night, Kelly Clarkson, who auditioned for American Idol by singing James’ “At Last,” covered “I’d Rather Go Blind” in concert at Radio City Music Hall. Amazing.

Purchase Christine McVie – “I’d Rather Go Blind” (Etta James cover) via iTunes, Amazon MP3.