???? Aretha Franklin 1942-2018 ????
Posted by: Peder on 13 August 2018
The American soul Queen Aretha Franklin is reported to be seriously ill and her family should have gathered to say goodbye.
Franklin is seriously ill and Franklin's close urged to prepare to bid farewell already two weeks ago.
"I'm so sorry to have to report that the Queen of Soul and my good friend Aretha Franklin are seriously ill. I spoke to her family members this morning.
She wants you to pray for her, "writes Evrod Cassimy, reporter at the local television station WDIV-TV in Detroit, on Twitter.
Shortly after five o'clock on Monday, Swedish time, Cassimy writes that he himself talked to Franklin.
"Just got the chance to talk to Aretha Franklin.
She rests, surrounded by close friends and family, "he writes on Twitter.
First to report on the news was the site Showbiz 411, run by the entertainment reporter Roger Friedman. According to their sources, 76-year-old Franklin is now for death, surrounded by loved ones in the home city of Detroit.
"The family prays for prayers and seclusion," writes Friedman.
Even NBC journalist Harry Hairston writes on Twitter that the condition is serious.
"Spoke with a close friend of Aretha Franklin with family. The iconic singer does not feel good, "he writes.
In recent years, Aretha Franklin has been struggling with health problems and 2010 she was operating for a tumor in her stomach.
According to The Telegraph, she has been conspicuous by her absence at several events during the year, including a memorial for the Temptations member Dennis Edwards in February.
After a doctor's advice, in March she blew up a performance on her 76 birthday and in April she presented a festival event in New Orelans.
Last year, Aretha Franklin announced that she was planning to retire.
In an interview with a local TV station in Detroit, she thought about giving out a final album in collaboration with Stevie Wonder, and then abdicating as a soul queen to spend more time with her grandchildren.
-I will be pretty much satisfied, but I will not go away anywhere and just sit and do nothing. "Nor would it be any good," she said in the interview.
Aretha Franklin was born 1942 in Memphis. Her upbringing was characterized by gospel music and she made her debut with a gospel album as a 14-year-old.
The breakthrough as soul singer came 1967 with the song "I Never Loved a man (the Way I Love You)". Shortly thereafter, big hits came as "Respect", "Think", and "I say a Little Prayer".
During her long career she has released a 40-odd studio album, she has won 18 Grammy statuettes and was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
/Peder
Moderated Post: Peder, as requested, since hearing of Aretha's sad passing, I have amended your thread title accordingly.
The full transcript and a short video clip can be seen on the Rolling Stone magazine website ............. she's getting a huge amount of disapproval for this poorly thought out "tribute". 
The Queen of Soul passed away, one of my favourite singers ever....
I must have been 5 years old when I heard "I say a little prayer" for the first time, which struck me deep in my heart.... She sang so many lovely songs:
- "A change is gonna come" (1967) - a brilliant cover from Sam Cooke's original from 1964. Sam was shot dead only 3 years earlier, that's why she added the lines : "There's an old friend that I once heard say something that touched my heart, and it began this way" Then comes her great intro: "I was born.... by the river...."
- "Ain't no way" (1968) - with that incredibly high soprano voice by Cissy Houston in the backing vocals
- "Amazing Grace - The complete recordings" is a fantastic live gospel album, organised by her friend Rev. James Cleveland. Listen to this amazing choir in "How I got over" !
- "Try a little tenderness" (1962), a slower and more gentle version than Otis Redding's classic 5 years later.
- "Oh me oh my" and "Border Song (Holy Moses)" from "Young, gifted and black" (1972), a great album
- "People get ready" (1968) which is a wonderful gospel song
- "Do right woman, do right woman", such honest lyrics, such a clear message to any male partner: "A woman is only human, you should understand, she's not just a plain thing, she's flesh & blood, just like her man"
Rest in peace in heaven dear Aretha...
Bert posted:The Queen of Soul passed away, one of my favourite singers ever....
I must have been 5 years old when I heard "I say a little prayer" for the first time, which struck me deep in my heart.... She sang so many lovely songs:
- "A change is gonna come" (1967) - a brilliant cover from Sam Cooke's original from 1964. Sam was shot dead only 3 years earlier, that's why she added the lines : "There's an old friend that I once heard say something that touched my heart, and it began this way" Then comes her great intro: "I was born.... by the river...."
- "Ain't no way" (1968) - with that incredibly high soprano voice by Cissy Houston in the backing vocals
- "Amazing Grace - The complete recordings" is a fantastic live gospel album, organised by her friend Rev. James Cleveland. Listen to this amazing choir in "How I got over" !
- "Try a little tenderness" (1962), a slower and more gentle version than Otis Redding's classic 5 years later.
- "Oh me oh my" and "Border Song (Holy Moses)" from "Young, gifted and black" (1972), a great album
- "People get ready" (1968) which is a wonderful gospel song
- "Do right woman, do right woman", such honest lyrics, such a clear message to any male partner: "A woman is only human, you should understand, she's not just a plain thing, she's flesh & blood, just like her man"
Rest in peace in heaven dear Aretha...
Amazing Grace is my favorite Aretha LP I believe the service was filmed but for some reason Aretha always blocked the film being released would love to see that film
Bob the Builder posted:Bert posted:The Queen of Soul passed away, one of my favourite singers ever....
I must have been 5 years old when I heard "I say a little prayer" for the first time, which struck me deep in my heart.... She sang so many lovely songs:
- "A change is gonna come" (1967) - a brilliant cover from Sam Cooke's original from 1964. Sam was shot dead only 3 years earlier, that's why she added the lines : "There's an old friend that I once heard say something that touched my heart, and it began this way" Then comes her great intro: "I was born.... by the river...."
- "Ain't no way" (1968) - with that incredibly high soprano voice by Cissy Houston in the backing vocals
- "Amazing Grace - The complete recordings" is a fantastic live gospel album, organised by her friend Rev. James Cleveland. Listen to this amazing choir in "How I got over" !
- "Try a little tenderness" (1962), a slower and more gentle version than Otis Redding's classic 5 years later.
- "Oh me oh my" and "Border Song (Holy Moses)" from "Young, gifted and black" (1972), a great album
- "People get ready" (1968) which is a wonderful gospel song
- "Do right woman, do right woman", such honest lyrics, such a clear message to any male partner: "A woman is only human, you should understand, she's not just a plain thing, she's flesh & blood, just like her man"
Rest in peace in heaven dear Aretha...
Amazing Grace is my favorite Aretha LP I believe the service was filmed but for some reason Aretha always blocked the film being released would love to see that film
Bob,
have you heard the "Complete Recordings? It's 2 CD package, containing all songs of the 2 nights it was recorded (13 and 14 January 1972). The original double LP took the best of both nights, but also omitted some wonderful versions. The new package is absolutely worth to buy. Did you know that Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts were in the crowd?
I love this album so much that I went for a pilgrimage to visit the church during my summer holiday to South-West USA in August 2017. The church is still in service. I was taking pictures until a local shop owner next-door came out and asked "What are you doing here?" I asked him "Have you ever heard of Aretha Franklin?" He had no clue. So I explained the story and luckily he did not take his gun to chase me out... A kid walked by and asked me what I was doing. This kid for sure had heard about Aretha, but was not aware she recorded the album in this church.
Here is the 2015 movie which Aretha blocked for release unfortunately... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpy54w4uVr4 It gives a great impression how Aretha, Rev. Cleveland and the choir were situated. You see Mick Jagger dancing at 1:57! Aretha even won a court case to block the movie. Maybe it will be released now.
Here a nice article with background info on the making: http://www.scpr.org/programs/t...ng-album-amazing-gr/
And here is the address, so if you ever come to L.A, go for it! https://www.google.nl/maps/pla...nary+Baptist+Church/@33.9582103,-118.280219,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x215bbaa29b7d93f1!8m2!3d33.9582103!4d-118.2780303