Aretha Franklin

The greatest female R&B/Soul there has ever been, cancer yet again.

Very sad. I've said a little prayer.

Get ready for some extraordinary and sick-making media coverage if the Great Woman passes.

A generation of "Journalists", "Entertainment Correspondents" and loads of other Z-List Celebrities will be all over our screens and Social Media telling us what an inspiration to them Aretha was. Despite none of them being able to name more than 2 or 3 of her songs at most, or pick her out on an Identity parade.

splendid singer wow!!! Hope it is untrue.

Aretha Franklin, the "queen of soul" who became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has died in Detroit at the age of 76.


The legendary singer was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and announced last year she was retiring from music.

Known for hits like Respect and Think, she had more than 20 US number ones over a career spanning seven decades.

She gave her final performance last November at a gala in New York held in aid of the Elton John Aids Foundation.

Born in Memphis to a gospel singer/pianist and a celebrated Baptist preacher, Franklin was tutored from an early age by such gospel stars as Mahalia Jackson and Clara Ward.

She struggled to find fame in the early years, with record label Columbia unsure how to frame her impressively powerful voice.


She gave her last performance in New York last November

A move to Atlantic Records in 1966 saw her paired with the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, prompting some of her most soulful and fieriest performances.

By 1968 she was renowned throughout America and Europe as "Lady Soul" - a symbol of black pride who appeared on the cover of Time and was given an award by Martin Luther King.

After an eye-catching cameo in cult comedy The Blues Brothers, she scored a number of big hits in the 1980s including Who's Zooming Who? and the George Michael duet I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me).

She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W Bush in 2005, when she was saluted for "capturing the hearts of millions of Americans".

Ten years later she reduced President Barack Obama to tears when she sang (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman at a Kennedy Center Honours ceremony, having previously performed at his inauguration.

41st anniversary of Elvis.

RIP to two of the greatest ever.

R-I-P  E-T-C

I should have been a fan as she was "my time" and I like a lot of black music but I always found her OTT and screechy. "Say a Little Prayer" is an OK performance.

great shame though , rip

Totally agree with Salmon Spray.

rip.

Obama and Trump pay respects.  The Grauniad sees an opportunity to attack Trump.  Classy.

https://tinyurl.com/ydcpc5sc