OT: RIP, Aretha Franklin, "The Queen of Soul"
Aretha Franklin's life ended today, but her music will live on.
August 16th, 2018 at 10:26 AM ^
Hey Nineteen
That's Aretha Franklin
She don't remember
The Queen of Soul
It's hard times befallen
The sole survivors
She thinks I'm crazy
But I'm just growing old
This will now become more relevant every year. RIP GOAT
August 16th, 2018 at 10:29 AM ^
Very sad news indeed.
Her music and her influence will definitely live on, particularly here in Metro Detroit.
August 16th, 2018 at 10:32 AM ^
Loved her scene in Blues Brothers in the diner. RIP
August 16th, 2018 at 10:37 AM ^
Yep. Really makes you think.
August 16th, 2018 at 3:09 PM ^
Matt Guitar Murphy passed away two months ago at 88. While Aretha and Matt had huge careers outside the Blues Brothers, for most people they will always be tied to this classic scene.
August 16th, 2018 at 3:59 PM ^
Aretha dies on the same day as Elvis. The Queen of Soul and the King of Rock-and-Roll.
August 16th, 2018 at 10:39 AM ^
They look like Hasidic diamond merchants!
What they want to eat?
The tall one wants...white toast, dry, nuttin' on it.
Elwood...
An' t'otha one wants fo whole fried chickens an' a coke!
...
When I was a kid, her scenes in Blues Brothers and Blues Brothers 2000 were actually my least favorite. As I grew up, I realized how wrong I'd been.
Matt Guitar Murphy got himself a keeper, that's for sure.
August 16th, 2018 at 10:35 AM ^
One of the greatest of all-time. I’ll be listening to the Live at Fillmore West album all damn day.
August 16th, 2018 at 10:36 AM ^
Her voice was nothing short of miraculous.
August 16th, 2018 at 10:54 AM ^
Yes, she was a gifted singer but also a tremendously skilled musician.
Here she is, accompanying herself on piano and organ on one of her great hits from the Muscle Shoals recording days, on "Do Right Woman".
Of course they had one of the greatest studio sesson keyboard men in history right there in Spooner Oldham. But Aretha could play with anybody on her own.
August 16th, 2018 at 12:52 PM ^
She stepped in for an ill Pavarotti. Let that sink in for second.
August 16th, 2018 at 10:40 AM ^
August 16th, 2018 at 10:53 AM ^
Oh HELLLLL YES
August 16th, 2018 at 3:22 PM ^
Starting at 54 minutes, her James Brown exit to reappearance with Ray Charles is terrific. Thanks for posting!
August 16th, 2018 at 10:47 AM ^
I grew up in the West Bloomfield / Bloomfield Hills area, near where Aretha lived (at the time, at least). I was a shift manager at one of the local Blockbuster Video stores in the mid 90s, and Aretha would pop in every once in a while (same with Bob Seger). Very nice lady.
She also used our high school choir (the old Bloomfield Hills Andover) as backup singers for a number of local concerns around the same time. I wasn't in the choir, but heard nothing but nice things.
August 16th, 2018 at 11:40 AM ^
So, did I (lived in Bloomfield Hills area) but probably earlier than you. Greetings to a fellow Baron! The new H.S. is pretty amazing.
August 16th, 2018 at 11:41 AM ^
Class of '97! I have seen the new school from the outside, but not the inside. Looks very impressive.
August 16th, 2018 at 12:13 PM ^
Same here, one of my best friends was her next-door neighbor.
So, you guys went to "Bendover" huh? (Lahser 83')
August 16th, 2018 at 10:48 AM ^
We will never see her like again
August 16th, 2018 at 1:29 PM ^
And now her watch is ended?
August 16th, 2018 at 10:49 AM ^
I'm not ashamed to admit she made me feel like a natural woman.
Literally, a one in a million voice.
Rest in peace, Aretha.
August 16th, 2018 at 11:11 AM ^
Maybe singing Shania Twain's "I feel like a woman" will help process the sorrow?
Joking aside Aretha Franklin was an amazing unique talent and it is a sad loss.
August 16th, 2018 at 10:50 AM ^
Much RESPECT
RIP to the Queen
August 16th, 2018 at 10:53 AM ^
Listening to this song brought a tear to my eye - sad day for those of us native Detroiters.
Everyone knows that Aretha had a big voice and bigger personality - not as many people know that she had bigger cajones than 99.9% of men. She had to face down some seriously stupid and backwards people and always did it with grace and, yes, Respect.
Always love this woman...RIP
August 16th, 2018 at 10:53 AM ^
Truly one of the immediately recognizable voices and a tremendous person from what I have seen and read.
Her voice has carried me off to happier, calmer, and more thoughtful places many a time.
Thank you to the Queen of Soul...keep on getting your R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
August 16th, 2018 at 11:09 AM ^
Simply GREAT.
August 16th, 2018 at 11:10 AM ^
May she forever groove on Sunday afternoons.
August 16th, 2018 at 11:13 AM ^
Good singer.
August 16th, 2018 at 11:22 AM ^
Very sad day....
A co worker and I would always argue the better voice, Aretha or Whitney.
While I admit, Whitney was good, but there was no one better....
RIP
PS- fuck cancer!
August 16th, 2018 at 11:33 AM ^
When it comes to soul its Aretha hands down..and that not a knock on Whitney but Aretha earned her title as the Queen, much like the Godfather of Soul, JB. Both timeless, one of a kind talents.
Her voice and presence was like honey molasses on a plate of hot grits, corn bread and collards. Doesn't get better....
August 16th, 2018 at 12:41 PM ^
Even when Whitney was at the very top of her game (and she was top notch when she was), it’s Aretha, and it’s not even close.
That’s no slight to Whitney. It’s just that Aretha was that good.
August 16th, 2018 at 11:28 AM ^
The Queen of Soul. The collective voice of Black womanhood. A great American. Rest in Power, Aretha.
August 16th, 2018 at 11:38 AM ^
I feel like Aretha Franklin gave us so many great moments.
August 16th, 2018 at 12:16 PM ^
What a loss for those of us who grew up on soul music. My musical memories are listening to old school blues and metal on the record player with my old man downstairs in our basement. Very masculine, very much my old man's style. I can remember anytime listening to music with my mom and it was always mo-town: Aretha, The Supremes, Tina Turner, Pattie LaBelle, Diana Ross, Janis Joplin (not really mo-town but my mom LOVED her). Showed me at a young age that femininity and pride were great as well. Funny how music helps to shape us from the earliest age, up until we are gone. RIP Aretha, one of the most talented and influential musicians ever! There's no Beyonce, Whitney, Diana Ross, Taylor Swift; any of these successful women without a strong woman like Aretha coming in, shattering stereotypes and paving the way for their success.
August 16th, 2018 at 12:26 PM ^
loved this woman's voice, songs, the whole thing.
every time this happens it makes me a little sad we didn't get around to these tributes before they passed.
August 16th, 2018 at 1:05 PM ^
Sad day, and rainy in Michigan.
My grandmother, Lucy, was an amazing mezzo-soprano and she loved Aretha Franklin. Because she listened to her albums so often, our entire family couldn't help but like Aretha, too. And my mom captivatingly sang "Mary Don't You Weep" at church the day after granny's funeral.
Anyway, the Bentley Historical Library has a lot of interesting C.L. Franklin papers, letters from Aretha and MLK, pictures, etc.
August 16th, 2018 at 1:06 PM ^
A talent likely never to be equaled. GOAT "rock era" female singer IMO.
August 16th, 2018 at 1:16 PM ^
It wouldn't be mgoblog without the daily "look who died" post.
August 16th, 2018 at 1:32 PM ^
Great woman, great pipes, great loss.
RIP, Aretha.
August 16th, 2018 at 1:34 PM ^
She was awarded an honorary degree from UM in 1987. Here's to a true Michigan Woman.
August 16th, 2018 at 3:34 PM ^
No need for the quotes. Her moniker and legacy are likely undisputed in American culture.
R.I.P. and R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Aretha.
August 16th, 2018 at 4:49 PM ^
Much R-E-S-P-E-C-T to the OP and the board for this tribute!
The Queen of Soul is gone, but her music and influence will live on!
August 16th, 2018 at 9:57 PM ^
The King, and now The Queen, left us on the same day.
RIP to a Detroit and American legend. Your beautiful voice will live on forever.