Aretha Franklin left us here to carry on this week. The Queen of Soul died in Detroit at the age of 76. Born in Memphis, she began singing in the choir of her father’s New Baptist Church and soon became a star soloist. I liked this description of her unique and lasting style “gospel shaped her quivering swoops, her pointed rasps, her galvanizing buildups and her percussive exhortations, it shaped her piano playing and the call and response vocal arrangements with her backup singers.” Aretha also adopted jazz, the ache and sensuality of blues, the vehemence of rock and later demonstrated opera was not out of her reach. Aretha placed more than 100 singles on the Billboard Charts including 17 in the top 10 and 20 number one R & B hits. She had 18 Grammy awards and was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Her father told her she would sing for Kings and he was right – she sang at Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral as well at multiple Presidential inaugurations. In a world searching for leaders and role models, Aretha defined “a modern female archetype: sensual and strong, long suffering but ultimately indomitable, loving but not to be taken for granted.” Most of us would say “me too” to this legacy.
Her age reminds me of the memorable song from the Music Man and I suggest that it is a fitting tribute for her celebration of life. If you have not listened to Seventy Six Trombones I suggest you check it out and imagine it playing at Aretha’s processional.
“Seventy six trombones caught the morning sun
With 110 cornets right behind……
There were fifty mounted cannon in the battery
Thundering, thundering louder than before”
I would conclude the ceremony with “Say a little prayer for you. What a wonderful and meaningful life to celebrate.
Have a great weekend.
Mike