Tag Archives: Aretha Franklin

Variety reports: A group of lawmakers introduced legislation on Tuesday to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Aretha Franklin, who died last week. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) are among the co-sponsors of the legislation in the Senate, while Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-Mich.) and Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) are co-sponsors in the House. In a statement, …

Deadline reports: Considering it was the MTV Video Music Awards, one would think that they would have some sort of tribute to the late, great Aretha Franklin — and they did. Madonna stepped out on the stage at the VMAs adorned in a graduation robe and what looks like everything from her jewelry box paid homage to the Queen of …

Click On Detroit reports: President Donald Trump tweeted about the passing of Aretha Franklin on Thursday. Trump, joining the chorus of reaction and tributes around social media, said, “She was a great woman, with a wonderful gift from God.” The legendary soul singer met with, performed for and was honored by many of the presidents during her long career. In …

TMZ reports: Aretha Franklin, known for having one of the greatest voices in music history, and for hits like “Respect,” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” died Thursday after a long battle with cancer, TMZ has learned. Sources close to the singer tell us Aretha passed away in her Detroit home where she was under hospice care. …

Rolling Stone reports: Aretha Franklin is reportedly “gravely ill” in Detroit, where friends and family have gathered around the Queen of Soul. Showbiz 411 first reported on Franklin’s condition Sunday night, with Detroit news anchor Evrod Cassimy – who broke news of Franklin’s impending retirement in February – confirming that Franklin’s family informed him Monday morning that Franklin is “gravely …

All hail the Queen of Soul! Hail, yeah. Carole King’s reactions are priceless. Vulture recaps: Aretha Franklin graced the Kennedy Center Honors stage to pay tribute to Carole King, one of six honorees this year. Aretha received that same honor more than two decades ago, but if you think she deserved it then, hoo boy, just look at her now: …

Yesterday some of you had strong opinions about Aretha Franklin’s cover of Adele’s Rolling In The Deep. Last night Franklin performed the track live on Letterman, after which she talked about her early days and missing out on performing on the Ed Sullivan Show, which was filmed in the studio that is now home to Letterman. UPDATE: The woeful backup …

Billboard reports: Aretha Franklin is showing some R-E-S-P-E-C-T to her fellow divas: The Queen of Soul will release an album Oct. 21 covering classic songs from other female singers. Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics will include songs such as Gladys Knight’s “Midnight Train to Georgia,” Barbra Streisand’s “People” and Whitney Houston’s “I’m Every Woman.” The most contemporary track …

Aretha Franklin is furious about a story posted on an internet satire site and says she will file a $10M lawsuit. Via the Detroit News: The News Nerd story claimed that LaBelle was “arrested for assault and battery” after she attacked Franklin with “a Mayweather style right and left” at a March 20 concert in Atlanta. The fictional brawl happened …

Aretha Franklin’s famous inauguration hat is now available as a Christmas ornament. The hat that dazzled millions of people during the inauguration of President Barack Obama, is now being offered as a Christmas ornament. Aretha Franklin’s stylish big-bowed hat was the inspiration for the glittery-glass ornament. The ornament’s designer hopes it too will be a big fashion hit. Curtis Posuniak …

My pal Blake sends us his downtempo dance remix of Aretha Franklin’s uniquely phrased performance at the inauguration, with some help from sound bites from Diane Feinstein and Larry King. It’s very Slave To The Rhythm. Audio possibly NSFW.

To the left, our own Dr. Jeff models Aretha Franklin’s now-famous inauguration hat, which has caused a deluge of inquiries for its maker. The calls began to flood Luke Song’s hat shop not long after Aretha Franklin finished belting out “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” at President Barack Obama’s inauguration. Franklin, who wore a gray felt custom-designed hat from Mr. …

It cracked me up yesterday to watch my post about Aretha’s hat become one of the most searched items in almost five years on writing JMG. Aside from zillions of Google hits, the post was top ranked over on BuzzFeed’s viral videos chart, where readers went into a photoshopping frenzy. My favorites are my SF pal Ggreg Taylor’s creation below …

Via Facebook… -Ggreg Taylor is proud Aretha is supporting renewable energy by wearing a wind turbine on her head.-Andrew Fox would like his civil rights, but might settle for Aretha’s hat.-John Whiteside is marveling at Aretha’s giant ribbon hat.-Jeremy Hooper is OMG, Aretha’s hat!-John Farley what does Aretha have on her head?-Bruce Trevithick is feeling Aretha’s headgear!!!!-Christopher Hurst loves Ms …