Soul Survivor The greatest singer of all time gets respect at Interlochen

Aug. 10, 2005

She is known as the “Queen of Soul” and as the woman who put the capital “D” in Diva. Simply put, the recording era has known no greater voice than Aretha Franklin.SS She is also a part of that first-name only club (Madonna, Elvis). Her vocal range is phenomenal, giving her the ability to cross over from gospel to soul to pop to opera to jazz, all in one breath.
“I don’t think there’s anybody I have known who possesses an instrument like hers and who has such a thorough background in gospel, the blues and the essential black-music idiom,” said Ahmet Ertegun, legendary producer and Atlantic Records co-founder. “She is blessed with an extraordinary combination of remarkable urban sophistication and of the deep blues feeling that comes from the Delta. The result is maybe the greatest singer of our time.”
At 63 Aretha’s voice has only strengthened, and she will prove it when she takes the stage at Interlochen’s Kresge Auditorium on Sunday, August 14.
Born in Memphis, but raised in Detroit (she still lives there), Aretha’s career is chock full of a list of “first to accomplish.” In 1987 she became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her arsenal of hits including “Respect,” “Chain of Fools” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” still resonate with fans today.
While most black R/pop artists in the ‘60s from Detroit were on the Motown label, Aretha signed with CBS/Columbia in 1961 and then with Atlantic in 1967.
Another first for Aretha came in 1968 when she became the first African-American female to appear on the cover of “Time.” Franklin, who had recently divorced but had refused to discuss her seven-year marriage to manager Ted White, decided to open up to “Time.” She made allegations that White had abused her and it resulted in a multi-million dollar lawsuit and Aretha avoiding the media.
“After that experience I didn’t feel comfortable speaking to the media,” said Franklin. “I really am a very private person.”
Despite her musical success, financial mismanagement and numerous lawsuits, as well as a suspicious fire of her Detroit home a few years ago have marred Franklin’s career. These challenges have not slowed Franklin or her popularity. Her concerts sell out regularly (though she doesn’t tour often due to a fear of flying) and in recent years her compilation and greatest hits albums continue to go platinum.
Aretha got her start as a gospel singer in the 1950s, singing with her sisters at their father’s church (he was a Baptist minister and gospel singer). They toured the Midwest gospel circuit.
“I would say that gospel music remains closest to my heart,” said Franklin. “I think when you are down, just signing those old spirituals has a way of lifting you up.”
Aretha also proved that she could act. Remember her as Matt “Guitar” Murphy’s wife in the Blues Brother movie in 1980?
Currently, Aretha is touring in support of her “So Damn Happy” album that was released in 2003. So, is there another album in the works?
“It was so much fun making the last one that at some point I will do another album,” said Franklin. “There were so many damn good songs recorded during the last session and a lot of good ones that didn’t make the cut, so I might have enough material for another album already. We will have to see.”
In the meantime Franklin remains pretty “damn happy” herself. She has 11 Grammys to her credit, millions of albums sold, and no one challenging her throne as Queen Diva of rock and soul. So what does Aretha think about being Queen Diva?
“Diva has a lot of connotations,” said Franklin. “Listen young man, you need to read my autobiography, I think on page 172- I give my diva thoughts.”
I am sure the book is great but the real story of Aretha is best told on the stage. Catch her August 14 at Interlochen’s Kresge Auditorium. As to be expected, the show is nearing sell-out, so order tickets in advance online at www.interlochen.org or call the Interlochen Box Office at (800) 681-5920.