REMEMBERING ARETHA
A
retha Franklin , who passed away on August 16th of pancreatic cancer at age 76 , embodied her title of “ Queen of Soul ” in a wholly spectacular way but that name didn ’ t fully capture all that she was . Aretha wasn ’ t just a gifted singer , and she wasn ’ t just a master of soul singing . She sang every American musical genre – jazz , blues , gospel , rock , county , and soul . Once she interpreted a song through the lens of her incredible voice ; the layers of American history ; all the pain and glory and struggle poured through so that the song transcended category and became an extension of her unique spirit . Aretha was more than a musical genius ; she was a musician who gave her soul to music , making every single note soulful . She is widely acknowledged as the greatest voice in the
By Rosalind Cummings-Yeates
Aretha Franklin
history of postwar pop music , but even that accolade misses the totality of her influence . Aretha Franklin was an icon who seamlessly represented Black power , feminist ideology and American innovation in one celebrated package .
Franklin grew up in a pivotal time and place for African American culture . She was the daughter of Rev . C . L Franklin , an influential minister and civil rights activist whose Detroit church , New Bethel Baptist , trained her in both performance and political awareness . As a young girl , Aretha witnessed the likes of Nat “ King ” Cole , Duke Ellington , Ella Fitzgerald and Dinah Washington visiting and performing at her house . Around the corner , Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson began singing for a fledgling label called Motown . By the time she was 12 , Aretha was stunning her church with solos that wrenched them into a collective state of ecstasy . But the young musician was also absorbing the protests and teachings of Rev . Dr . Martin Luther King Jr ., who often stayed with her family when he visited Detroit . Her father - dubbed the “ preacher with the golden voice ,” recorded and broadcast his sermons that embraced Black liberation and empowerment . He sold thousands of albums nationwide , but his popularity was just a fraction of the fame that his prodigy daughter would achieve .
In 1960 at age 18 she signed with Columbia Records . The label tried to mold her into a jazz singer and although Aretha earned a few top 40 hits , including , notably , “ Today I Sing The Blues ,” it wasn ’ t until she moved to Atlantic Records , a label that revelled in the blues and gospel roots that she was born into , that her true musical power was unleashed .
It was at Atlantic that Aretha recorded the seminal hits that would establish her as the voice of a generation and beyond . “ I Never Loved A Man ( The Way I Loved You ),” “ Dr . Feelgood ,” “ Chain of Fools ” and “ Think ” were the songs that showcased Aretha ’ s exceptional talent and passion . But it was her 1967 cover of the Otis Redding hit , “ Respect ,” that became her signature and an anthem for both the Civil Rights and Women ’ s Rights Movements . Aretha blasted out the lyrics calling for “ a little respect when I get home .” It was a perfect example of her interpretive and arranging skills . She took a tune written by a man demanding his “ props ” and turned it into a declaration for women ’ s independence , all the while changing the tone , rhythm , and feeling of the original . She conquered the song so completely that Otis
Redding relinquished his claim , declaring it Aretha ’ s song . It wouldn ’ t be the last time that Aretha ’ s interpretive skills refashioned and wiped out any memory of the original . Aretha wasn ’ t just a talented singer ; she was a musician , songwriter , and arranger with unearthly instincts .
The following year , Aretha sang at Dr . Martin Luther King Jr .' s funeral . She sang the gospel classic “ Take My Hand , My Precious Lord ,” by Chicago gospel legend Rev . Thomas Dorsey . Aretha crushed the emotion of the lyrics , “ take my hand / precious lord / lead me home ” between the wailing and soaring crescendos of her vocals . With one song , she traversed the rocky landscape of American inequity and cultural freedom . She served as a witness for African American pain and salvation as well as becoming a crossover success . That Thomas Dorsey started his musical career as Georgia Tom , a Chicago blues pianist and composer who wrote songs like “ Tight Like That ,” and “ Levee Bound Blues ” serves as a perfect symbol of the close ties between blues , gospel , pop music and American cultural representation .
Fittingly , Aretha was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ; she earned 18 Grammy Awards and had more than 100 singles on the Billboard charts over her illustrious career . She sang at President Barack Obama ’ s inauguration and the pre-inauguration for Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter . Aretha ’ s voice and musicality have influenced generations and genres . There is no type of music , including opera , which has not benefited from her presence . She did not just sing ; she transformed souls . Yes , she was the undisputed " Queen of Soul ," but she also was so much more .
12 illinoisentertainer . com september 2018