Billy Graham was hailed as the pastor to presidents of the United States. In a similar vein, Aretha Franklin could be hailed as the singer for presidents, singing as she did at the inauguration of more presidents (namely Carter, Clinton, and Obama) than any other performer in US history.
Not to mention the respect the nation showed by selecting her to sing at the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Even George W. Bush recognized her unique and pioneering role by awarding her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November 2005. Notable among her many achievements is the fact that she was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
I love her voice and enjoy singing along with her songs. Yet I confess, I never saw her perform live.
She threw this missed opportunity of a lifetime into tearful relief on December 6, 2015, when she performed “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” for the Obamas and songwriter Carole King at the Kennedy Center Honors. Because she gave me goosebumps as I watched her performance weeks later on TV. But I felt profound envy when I saw her bring President Obama to tears as he watched her performance live.
The Queen of Soul, as she was coronated in the 1960s, leaves a sprawling legacy of classic songs that includes “Respect,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “Chain of Fools,” “Baby I Love You,” “Angel,” “Think,” “Rock Steady,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “Freeway of Love,” along with a bestselling gospel catalog.
Her death follows several years of painstakingly concealed medical issues, which led to regular show cancellations and extended absences from the public eye.
(USA Today, August 16, 2018)
Despite the Obama envy I shared above, I am not one for the self-adulating sentiments/platitudes that always flow when famous people die. But all media will be awash in it; that is, until the next shiny object from Trump’s Twitter, Omarosa’s book/tapes, or Mueller’s investigation relegates Aretha to the viral dustbin.
In any event, I shall end this modest tribute by noting how fitting it is that Aretha died on the day Madonna is celebrating her 60th birthday. After all, no two performers personified the triumph of gimmick over talent in the music industry more than Madonna and Aretha, respectively.
Franklin died of pancreatic cancer this morning at her home in Detroit. She was 76.
Farewell, Aretha.
Related treat:
Aretha at Kennedy Center…