You only need her first name to know who I’m talking about. She has died at her home in Detroit.
Pharyngula
Evolution, development, and random biological ejaculations from a godless liberal
You only need her first name to know who I’m talking about. She has died at her home in Detroit.
Yeah, I had been following this one all week. It wasn’t sounding good earlier, and the news this morning wasn’t much better. Sad to hear, non-the-less :(
We saw her a few years ago at Wolftrap. Even well into her 60s, she still had an amazing voice and stage presence. She had started singing a bit of opera by then, accompanying herself on piano. Admittedly I don’t know much about opera, but she sounded good to me. Anyway, more that just a little bit of respect.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Goodbye to a one of a kind
Not surprised to hear this. Last night Lawrence O’Donnell indicated she was failing, and gave her the Last Word on his show. He played a video of her singing at President Obama’s first inauguration. No doubt a high point in her life.
Back when things were starting to look up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diwF1-xJwZM&feature=share.
Christ, this year is 100% bollocks by weight.
The people who made the soundtrack of our lives are going. sobsalute
Had she lived to be 1000 years old her death would still be untimely. She was such an amazing figure.
For assorted not-related reasons, tonight was very busy along the village’s esplanade. Amongst other entertainments, several DJs / sound systems were operating. One happened to be very close to the restaurant where I had dinner. Over the course of the evening, I noticed they were, every few numbers / tracks, playing some very recognisable music — Ms Franklin’s works (I was rather surprised how many I recognised, and for the ones I didn’t, her wonderful voice still made it clear…). Near the end of evening, they played the work in the OP, Think — at the conclusion of which, the people broke into unusually loud applause. (I admit to then crying…)
(Apropos of perhaps nothing, I’d thought that song was called Freedom, but a quick check says the proper title is Think, and she recorded at least two versions of it, the one in the OP (from The Blues Brothers (1980 (WOW! that long ago!)) and a slightly different one earlier in 1968.)
“He played a video of her singing at President Obama’s first inauguration. No doubt a high point in her life.”
I think you meant to say, “No doubt a high point in HIS life.”
This month has been emotionally tiring, I’ve cried a bunch.
I’ve had a playlist of her’s on all day at home. She’s done more than enough for her industry, her craft and her fans. Thank you, Aretha.
It was through The Blues Brothers that I found the world of blues, soul, and gospel music. Aretha Franklin was the greatest of those finds.
The BBC did a nice article on five ways that she made history: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-45167940
I’d say you’re both right. I forget who it was, Al Sharpton I believe, told a story last night of visiting Aretha as she was getting ready to perform at some celebration or other on the South Lawn. She said “Can you believe it? I’m getting my hair done in the White House and I’m going to sing to a black President.”