When celebrity author Mark Bego originally wrote his 1989 biography, “Aretha Franklin: Queen of Soul,” he had no idea that it would be updated three times, the latest being the new “Tribute Edition” of the book by Skyhorse Publishing, which puts her career in perspective since her death at 76 in August....
Taylor Swift made a classy move at her Detroit “Reputation Tour” show. She honored the late Aretha Franklin mid-concert with a tribute and a moment of silence. Franklin died two weeks ago after a six-decade career as the “Queen of Soul.”...
Aretha Franklin, who demanded r-e-s-p-e-c-t in her hit 1967 song, won the ultimate respect from Harvard University. The esteemed institution bestowed her with an honorary Doctor of Arts degree. The university announced this year’s honorees today (May 29) on its Web site. The list includes Former New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg (Doctor of Laws), Former President George H.W. Bush (Doctor of Laws) and novelist Isabel Allende (Doctor of Letters)....
When those in the know talk about the major behind-the-scene players in the music business, three names always come up: Clive Davis, Mo Ostin and Ahmet Ertegun. Ertegun’s legacy was secured in February when his widow gave $26 million to Oxford University. The money will pay for at least 35 graduate scholarships every year through the Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Scholarship Fund....
Before Aretha Franklin was a pop legend, she was a gospel and blues singer. Like Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, and Dinah Washington before her, she has had to overcome prejudice, frustration, a teen pregnancy, weight problems and devastating emotional trauma during her career. Fortunately, Aretha has been able to channel her feelings into some of the most memorable and soulful music of the 20th century. ...
