https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k5acPIi0f8There’s nothing classier than when the older generation honors rising stars of the next, and watching Franklin perform this song by Adeleis about as classy as it got in pop musichttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eto2urJTKnoAretha takes on the Rolling Stoneshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjTXRo-rxGAWhen Franklin subbed for an ailing Luciano Pavarotti at the 1998 Grammys, she had 20 minutes to prepare. Franklin sang “Nessun Dorma” from Puccini’s “Turandot” after Pavarotti called in sick.https://youtu.be/8FdFrtNacgU“Precious Lord” at Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral, 1968
Franklin had the opportunity to tour the South with Dr. King, a family friend, when she was just 16 years old. Her tribute to him at his funeral was made all the more poignant by her personal relationship with the civil rights hero.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vet6AHmq3_sAretha Franklin’s song “Think” was famously featured in the 1980 film “The Blues Brothers” — and it was one of the singer’s most fun performances. Franklin’s career was rejuvenated by her appearance as a slippers-wearing waitress who schools her man with the energetic “Think.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHeqFxHSVfAChain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
(Chain of fools)https://youtu.be/Vyx34kgHGngThe recording from this set at the famed San Francisco venue comprises what many consider one of the best live albums of all time. Here you can actually watch as she brings a surprise special guest from backstage — Ray Charles — to “move with the spirit a little” as they duet on “Spirit in the Dark.”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHsnZT7Z2yQOne of Aretha’s many signature songs and composed by Carole King and Gerry Goffin at the behest of producer Jerry Wexler, who wanted a “natural woman”-type song for her. So many of Aretha’s songs are about suffering and being unhappy in love but in this transcendent beauty, she rejoiced in love. Tis version from the tribute concert for Carole King.https://youtu.be/STKkWj2WpWM“I Say A Little Prayer” on The Cliff Richard Show, 1970
This TV performance shows Franklin really hitting her stride as she belts the Dionne Warwick classic, which also appeared on her 1968 album Aretha Now.https://youtu.be/0L4Bonnw484Otis Redding’s original was certainly a great record, but Aretha’ reimagined it with her sister to get her first Billboard number one, winning her the first of her 18 Grammys. This instant classic became a huge feminist and civil rights anthem as Aretha added some inspired and judicious lyrics.
This was part of a special ‘Aretha Franklin Day’ in Detroit back in 1968, with Martin Luther King Jr in attendance.
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