By now, we’ve all heard she isn’t well, and I know there are many fans here, so I thought it would be appropriate to start an appreciation thread.

 

During college, my friend and I would lounge around in my dorm and just soak in every track from her 30 Greatest Hits double CD. Other than Songs in the Key of Life, I don’t think there’s an album I’ve played more. My favorite song has always been “Angel,” with its spoken intro dedicated to her sister Carolyn and its almost unbearable sense of longing and loneliness.

 

 

Sadly she has passed.

https://apnews.com/bec7e5ec9193462ebb7dce2047ef9c46

She was never a personal favourite, but she was one of the great cultural icons of the 20th century, there's no denying that.

RIP Ms Franklin

Can’t believe they are both gone.

 

 

Just now, Faulkner said:

Can’t believe they are both gone.

 

 

 

My jam!

RIP - she was trailblazer and influenced many.

 

However, as I noted before, I wish she hadn't been as miserable of a person in her latter years, and was confident in her legacy rather than trying to bring other black female artists down. 

I just wish her last days had been allowed to be on her own terms and not through ghoulish muckrakers "reporting" on things like her grave being dug. I hope she haunts them. 

 

Anyway, I like this article.

 

http://time.com/5367138/aretha-franklin-appreciation/

 

And my favorite Aretha song:

 

 

Thankfully, she left a treasure trove of classic soulful songs and performances.  

Life isn't easy and neither was Ms. Franklin.

I heard that it was pancreatic cancer about two years ago, at least.  It would appear that this was the undisclosed illness she was dealing with.  Surely, that toughness (and yes, that saltiness!) helped sustain her and perform practically to the very end of her life.

She was tough and I'm sure she fought to the bitter end.

R.I.P. Queen.

 

 

RIP Aretha Franklin, who passed away today at age 76 https://t.co/FCGsZIk6vg pic.twitter.com/jDFnnd9kwV

— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) August 16, 2018

Here's an interview she gave a few years ago which sparked a few timeless memes, and is Aretha in full flow. 

 

 

My favorite story about Aretha Franklin is when she bailed out Angela Davis, and said:

"I'm going to see her free if there's any justice in the courts, not because I believe in communism but because she's a Black woman that wants freedom for Black people." Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/MqEcQadygF

— Khaled Beydoun (@KhaledBeydoun) August 16, 2018

2:30 - 3:13 = the part where amateur/karaoke singers embarrass themselves trying to imitate the Queen.

 

 

This is funny:

 

 

 

Edited August 16, 20187 yr by Faulkner

1 hour ago, DRW50 said:

And my favorite Aretha song:

 

 

 

Wow, that's mine as well!

 

Here's another great one (in a catalog that is simply unstoppable):

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywKNWhxUkco

Ms. LaBelle has spoken.

 

Rest in peace Aretha. ❤ pic.twitter.com/QT7HeY5SIf

— Patti LaBelle (@MsPattiPatti) August 16, 2018

 

Hilarious!

 

 

Ha! Speaking of Patti, this clip from Oprah’s 40th birthday special with Aretha, Patti, and Gladys as guests has been making the rounds: