Posted on 08/12/2018 7:39:58 PM PDT by SMGFan
This is exclusive, and heart breaking for me and for the family and friends of the great Aretha Franklin. She is gravely ill in Detroit. The family is asking for prayers and privacy. Originally diagnosed with cancer in 2010, Aretha, who turned 76 in March, bravely battled back and refused to be knocked out by illness. Her last performance as on November 2, 2017 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation in New York. Her final public performance was at Philadelphia’s Mann Center in August 2017. It was a miraculous show as Aretha was already then fighting exhaustion and dehydration.
Aretha is surrounded by family and people close to her. She will be so missed as a mother, sister, friend, cousin. But her legacy is larger than life. It’s not just that Rolling Stone called her the number 1 singer of all time, or that she is the Queen of Soul. Long live the Queen.
Love the scene in The Blues Brothers where she performs “Respect”.
Seems kind of crass to write an obituary about someone who has not yet passed. Aretha has been one of the best vocalists of all time, in my opinion. Her early stuff for Atlantic was sensational. Highly recommended.
Sorry to hear that she is so sick.
Can anyone here still doubt that I am a great musician? One with an almost royal musical lineage?
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Sock some prayers to that lady!
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She shared the stage in 2010 with Condoleezza Rice, combining classical piano and classic soul.
If Franklin is going to her reward, may she go peacefully.
Yes of course. Thanks.
The “Queen Of Soul”
To a speedy recovery.
Mahalia Jackson is the Queen of Soul, IMO.
For most paying attention to Aretha’s appearance for the last few years, her grave condition is not so shocking. She’s been in poor health for quite a while. Much of her family has already succumbed to some variety of cancer. Certain family lines tend to carry that vulnerability. Arthritis, obesity and occasional insanity run in other families like my own.
I thought Mahalia Jackson was the Queen of Gospel. Pearl Bailey was a great jazz singer too.
“Mahalia Jackson is the Queen of Soul, IMO.”
Mahalia has a special place in my heart. I’ve got two CD’s and I think COME TO JESUS, DIDN’T IT RAIN? and JESUS IS WITH ME are my favorites.
Prayers for Miss Franklin’s health and healing.
Praying for her.
I like something a little more current, Mahalia Barnes, especially if Joe Bonamassa is standing next to her.
Yep, and she deserves it. She is black but her appeal knows no bounds.
The whole Motown family have a special place in the soundtrack of my memories from the sixties. What a voice she has!
Magical voice. I hope God spares her a little longer as long as she is not in pain.
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