Ahmet Ertegun had this to say about Aretha Franklin: " I don't think there is anyone I know who possesses a voice like hers and who has such a background in gospel and blues. She is blessed with a wonderful combination of urban sophistication and a deep feeling of the blues."

Aretha has been called "Lady Soul" and it's not hard to see why. She is a singer of passion and control whose recordings define soul in all it's glory. More than any other singer, she was the embodiment of 60s soul and her amazing run of hits with Atlantic Records like "Chain of Fools", "Respect" and "Think" have made her one of the most successful black singers in the history of rock and roll.

Yet as much as she is an international insitution, much of her work outside Atlantic is often changing direction and fitfully inspired. Still, the influences that she pasted on to later generations of singers from Janis Joplin to Whitney Houston still radiate throughout the world of music today.

Posted by Andrew on Monday, 02/18/2013 @ 22:59pm

Aretha Franklin sang the remake of the A Different World theme song.

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 07/7/2013 @ 07:47am

This is not good. Thoughts and prayers... https://www.clickondetroit.com/entertainment/aretha-franklin/aretha-franklin-is-gravely-ill-family-says

Posted by Joe on Monday, 08/13/2018 @ 13:41pm

There’s no need to worry. Aretha’s Nephew said she’s in good spirits.

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/aretha-franklin-nephew-comment/

Posted by The Dude on Tuesday, 08/14/2018 @ 14:36pm

Just heard that the Queen of Soul passed away this morning. R.I.P. to an absolute legend.

Posted by Steve Z on Thursday, 08/16/2018 @ 10:06am

Just heard that the Queen of Soul passed away this morning. R.I.P. to an absolute legend.

Posted by Steve Z on Thursday, 08/16/2018 @ 10:07am

RIP to The Queen of Soul

First woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Posted by Gassman on Thursday, 08/16/2018 @ 10:07am

Was never a big fan, but massive respect. Do love a few of her songs now, including the one this lyric comes from, which I use to eulogize her:

I've just been so blue
Since you've been gone.



RIP Aretha.

Posted by Philip on Thursday, 08/16/2018 @ 10:36am

Not much else to say. May she rest in peace. 1942-2018

Posted by Joe on Thursday, 08/16/2018 @ 11:02am

Rest well, Aretha. You had a voice like no other.

She died on the same day Elvis died forty-one years apart.

Posted by The Dude on Thursday, 08/16/2018 @ 11:16am

Despite knowing this was coming; the loss to the world of Aretha Franklin is still a shattering event.

People of my parent's generation likely remember well the first time they ever heard Aretha Franklin. But being born in the sixties, by the time I was old enough to be developing real musical memories, she was firmly established as the Queen Of Soul. She has simply *always* existed in my life as the greatest vocalist on Earth; as a towering figure of charisma, dignity, and immeasurable talent.

My favorite recording personally is "Baby I Love You". It's a very simple song: just a solid groove and fairly perfunctory lyrics. The only thing that the song really rides on to transcends its rather ordinary base, is the sheer bad ass magnificence of Aretha Franklin's performance. Her sense of timing, her vocal power, her nuance, and her personality.

Rest In Peace Aretha. You will always be, The Queen.

Posted by Shrek on Thursday, 08/16/2018 @ 12:13pm

RIP Aretha; your voice will be sorely missed by millions. No one will ever take your title as the 'Queen of Soul.' One of the most pioneering and important figures in American popular music history.

Posted by Nick on Thursday, 08/16/2018 @ 15:17pm

I would like to extend my most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Aretha Franklin. Aretha will be truly missed, but we fortunately have her amazing legacy. :-(

Posted by Enigmaticus on Friday, 08/17/2018 @ 02:42am

The loss of Aretha Franklin is another blow to the 60's and 70's R&B artists trying to enter the Rock & Roll HOF. These great singers and artists continue to die off which leaves fewer voters to vote for the R&B artists. Bill G. has highlighted the different ways the R&B artists are not getting nominated or a choice that's guaranteed not to get enough votes. EX: The Meters, Joe Tex etc. I remember Aretha Franklin from her scene with the Blues Brothers. That's in the restaurant. Blues Brothers Classic movie. My FAV Aretha Franklin song would be RESPECT with I Say A Little Prayer close behind. No doubt Aretha will receive a well-deserved tribute RRHOF 2019. This could bode well for a Chaka Khan, Janet Jackson, or Mariah Carey nomination and induction. RIP Queen Of Soul!!! KING

Posted by KING on Friday, 08/17/2018 @ 15:05pm

"The loss of Aretha Franklin is another blow to the 60's and 70's R&B artists trying to enter the Rock & Roll HOF. These great singers and artists continue to die off which leaves fewer voters to vote for the R&B artists. Bill G. has highlighted the different ways the R&B artists are not getting nominated or a choice that's guaranteed not to get enough votes. EX: The Meters, Joe Tex etc. I remember Aretha Franklin from her scene with the Blues Brothers. That's in the restaurant. Blues Brothers Classic movie. My FAV Aretha Franklin song would be RESPECT with I Say A Little Prayer close behind. No doubt Aretha will receive a well-deserved tribute RRHOF 2019. This could bode well for a Chaka Khan, Janet Jackson, or Mariah Carey nomination and induction. RIP Queen Of Soul!!!- KING

TOTAL AGREEMENT, KING !!

I've been saying this for the LONGEST: The RRHOF has been , and continues to, nominate R&B acts that they KNOW that the voters will NOT VOTE FOR, and they continue to nominate the SAME NAMES from this list , year after year....full well KNOWING that they'll NEVER garner enough votes for induction, (The Meters, Joe Tex, Rufus (sadly) and others, while at one and the SAME TIME,they avoid nominating superstar R&B acts that the Voting Body would actually consider voting for, and that have a CHANCE to be inducted. ( The Commodores, The Pointer Sisters, Janet Jackson ,Barry White, and others .

Another observation: If an R&B act actually begins to grow REAL SUPPORT, They're TAKEN OFF THE BALLOT, so it's back to Square One. (The Spinners,WAR, The Marvelettes, Mary Wells, Janet)
If they're not on the ballot, the voters can't vote for them, thus they have NO CHANCE to be inducted !!!

Then, when they finally DO nominate a Black act, it is specifically NOT an R&B act...(Nina Simone , Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Jimmy Cliff,Miles Davis,Bill Withers, etc, in the Jazz, Blues, Gospel,Singer/Songwriter, or Reggae fields, so that they can quell accusations of racism , by claiming that SOME Black acts are getting nominated or inducted...
But, nobody is fooled by this facade. Popular White acts are getting on the ballot , and getting inducted. Popular BLACK R&B acts are being BYPASSED for nomination, thus , they CAN'T be voted on.

**********************WHY ??*********************

Posted by Bill G. on Sunday, 08/19/2018 @ 03:47am

Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick, and Carole King were all born before Aretha Franklin.

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 02/23/2021 @ 01:10am