Biopics ain’t Wikipedia entries. Lives never conform to a tidy narrative arc — even one as dramatic as Aretha Franklin’s. With Respect, screenwriter Tracey Scott Wilson and director Liesl Tommy did an admirable job condensing 20 years of the Queen of Soul’s tumultuous life into a mere two-and-a-half hours. Thanks …
Read More »Cynthia Erivo Sings 'Amazing Grace' in New Teaser for 'Genius: Aretha'
Cynthia Erivo belts “Amazing Grace” as Aretha Franklin in a new teaser for Nat Geo’s Genius: Aretha, which premieres on March 21st. The 30-second spot (which will also air during the Grammys this Sunday, March 14th) centers around footage of Erivo as Franklin singing an a cappella rendition of the …
Read More »Georgia Anne Muldrow Nods to Aretha Franklin, Fela Kuti in 'Overload' Video
Shapeshifting soul singer Georgia Anne Muldrow channels Aretha Franklin‘s backstage poise in her new “Overload” video. The clip cuts between the musician during a dressing room interview (decked out in a Fela Kuti T-shirt) and belting into a vintage microphone. Director Capricorn Clark detailed the Franklin influence in a statement …
Read More »See Faith Hill's Gospel Rave-Up at Aretha Franklin's Funeral
Faith Hill revisited the Mississippi gospel-music roots of her youth with a powerful performance of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” during Friday’s funeral service for R&B legend Aretha Franklin at Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple. Franklin died August 16th after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 76. The …
Read More »Flashback: Aretha Franklin Sings a Transcendent 'Bridge Over Troubled Water” In 1971
Without any doubt, Aretha Franklin was one of the greatest live performers in history. It’s impossible to pinpoint her peak moment on a stage, but many fans point to her stand at the Fillmore East in March 1971 that was captured on the LPAretha Live at Fillmore West as one …
Read More »Clive Davis Mourns Aretha Franklin: 'Truly One of a Kind'
Famed record executive Clive Davis paid tribute to Aretha Franklin, calling her “truly one of a kind” and “more than the Queen of Soul.” Franklin died Thursday of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76. “I’m absolutely devastated by Aretha’s passing,” Davis wrote on Twitter. “She was truly one of …
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