At 76, a defining force of my youth and beyond Aretha Franklin has passed from this world. She leaves behind a body of work that brought joy, understanding and compassion wrapped in pride and strength to all who heard her and to the causes she believed in. It was virtually impossible to be still when she sang, whether it was gospel or soul. She was a quiet force for civil rights off stage and a powerhouse on.
In 1967, I was attending Trinity University and I was blessed to attend a small concert held at a church in San Antonio. On the bill were Otis Redding, Sara Vaughn, The Bar Kays and Aretha. She made her entrance just as Otis was finishing “Try a Little Tenderness”; and here she came, singing and dancing down the center aisle of that tiny church, singing “Tramp” a new release by Otis and Carla Thomas. We all turned to watch The Queen of Soul make her entrance and what an entrance it was!
She was the ultimate performer, classy, exuberant, fierce. I witnessed incredible performances that day and it would be just days later that the place carrying Otis and members of Bar Kays would crash. Not months later, Aretha took his song RESPECT to number 1 on the charts as she had with so many others. But my firm memory of the playful power in her voice as she interrupted Otis that day will be with me always. I can revisit that moment more than 50 years later and still feel that joy bubbling up in my soul.
You can hear my favorite Aretha song on our website; “Who’s Zoomin’ Who”. Or on Youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOjjxXwjglM and while you are there, find a couple more and give yourself an exquisite treat.
Please take a listen and see if you can sit still for even a minute. My guess is you will be moving and smiling and feeling that joy in your soul just like I did on that day so long ago.
May God Bless You and Keep You Aretha. There will be rejoicing in Heaven this day for sure.
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