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....
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. ...