London: Aretha Franklin, the legendary Queen of Soul, died Thursday at the age of 76. The representative for the veteran singer, Gwendolyn Quinn, confirmed the news that she passed away at her home in Detroit. Franklin, who was suffering from pancreatic cancer, was recently reported to be “gravely ill”.
The singer, who performed in a gospel choir in childhood and later graduated to master other genres such as pop and soul music, rose to worldwide prominence in the 1960s. Franklin’s first Hot 100 song, Won’t Be Long, debuted when she was barely 18 years old in 1961. She was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and has 18 Grammy awards to her credit. By 1968 she was renowned throughout America and Europe as “Lady Soul” – a symbol of black pride who appeared on the cover of Time and was given an award by Martin Luther King. She last performed in November 2017 at the Elton John AIDS Foundation gala in New York. She released her 42nd and final album, ‘A Brand New Me’, last November. Poor health affected Franklin’s performing career in the last decade. She had to cancel shows in 2013 reportedly due to cancer. An influential cultural figure, often described a “the voice of black America”, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005, and performed at Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009. Aretha performed at three US Presidents’ inauguration events – starting with a medley of Duke Ellington hits for Democrat Jimmy Carter in 1977. The next Democrat to take office, Bill Clinton in 1993, was graced by her stylings at a pre-inauguration festival two days before he was sworn in. Aretha Franklin’s voice was officially declared a “natural resource” in 1985 by Michigan state’s department of natural resources. Franklin’s best-known song – the infectious call-to-arms Respect – didn’t start off with her. Soul singer Otis Redding originally wrote and recorded it as a message from a hardworking man to his woman.
Franklin recorded her own version on Valentine’s Day, 1967. Her twists included spelling out “R-E-S-P-E-C-T”, and deploying her sisters Carolyn and Erma as formidable backing singers. In her hands (and voice), the song went from a patriarchal plea to an anthem for women’s rights. It swept to number 1 in the US charts and number 10 in the UK. Hollywood celebrities such as veteran actor-singer Barbra Streisand, Elton John and director Ava DuVernay, among others took to social media to remember Franklin. Streisand shared a photo from 2012 when she performed with Franklin at a tribute celebration for their friend, Marvin Hamlisch.
“It’s difficult to conceive of a world without her. John called her death ‘a blow for everybody who loves real music’. He wrote on lengthy thread on Twitter, “Her voice was unique, her piano playing underrated – she was one of my favourite pianists… She sang and played magnificently.” DuVernay quoted lyrics of Franklin’s famous number, Natural Woman and wrote “Her voice/swagger was peerless.” Composer Carole King, who wrote Natural Woman for the singer, tweeted “What a life. What a legacy! Respect and gratitude. R.I.P.” Singer-Singwriter John Legend paid respects to the singer and called Franklin “the greatest vocalist” he has ever known.
Diana Ross said, “There is a bright FLAME about to go out, ONLY GOD KNOW WHEN. Say a prayer and let her go – deep Breath.” Media mogul Shonda Rhimes remembered Franklin in one word: “Aretha”. Lin Manuel Miranda recalled how he once had the luck to see the singer perform live. “Thank you for the music, we will be listening to you forever.” Shreyl Crow wrote on the microblogging site, “Love and prayers for Aretha Franklin.
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