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*“Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin’s homegoing service can best be described as a combination of a revival, political rally, motivational talk, musical tribute, roast and of course worship service. Presenters from the world of entertainment, sports, politics, business, and Franklin’s closest friends came together on one stage to celebrate not only the Queen’s musical talents but […]

* Aretha Franklin is an internationally adored American icon. It is a shame that her layered and complicated story was not brought to screens, big or small, within her lifetime…though the blame for that lays largely at her feet. Last March, National Geographic Channel devoted an 8-part miniseries to Franklin as part of its biographical […]

Aretha Franklin as she appears in the newly released documentary “Amazing Grace.” *Aretha Franklin’s estate has fired back at Wendy Williams for the “irresponsible” and “mocking” remarks the talk-show host made on her show last week about the upcoming “Amazing Grace” documentary. “Amazing Grace” is a 90-minute documentary featuring footage captured in January 1972 […]

Jennifer Hudson & Aretha Franklin (Getty) *LOS ANGELES – Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) announced today the award-winning ensemble cast joining Academy Award-winner Jennifer Hudson in the feature film RESPECT, based on the life of music icon Aretha Franklin. Following the rise of Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom, RESPECT […]

Aretha Franklin attends Keep a Child Aliveís 2014 Black Ball at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP) *Lester Holt, Shonda Rhimes, Bette Midler, Ava DuVernay, Bill Cosby and Chance the Rapper are among those who have paid tribute to Aretha Franklin, who died Thursday at […]

Aretha Franklin (CNN) — Here’s a look at the life of the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin. Personal Birth date: March 25, 1942 Death date: August 16, 2018 Birth place: Memphis, Tennessee Birth name: Aretha Louise Franklin Father: Rev. C. L. (Clarence LaVaughn) Franklin, minister and gospel singer Mother: Barbara (Siggers) Franklin, gospel singer […]

Aretha Franklin sings in the Atlantic Records studio on Jan. 9, 1969 in New York. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) *Her voice was as bold and thunderous as her civil rights support quiet and discreet. Jesse Jackson wrote of Aretha Franklin in USA TODAY after her death in 2018: “When Dr. King was alive, several […]

Gwendolyn Quinn with Aretha Franklin at one of Franklin’s legendary birthday celebrations in New York City (Photo Courtesy of Gwendolyn Quinn) *It has been nearly two months since the death of Aretha Franklin, my longtime client, and friend. I’ve worked with Aretha for more than 20 years. Our professional relationship started during my tenure as […]

*With the release of the almost 50-year-old documentary of Aretha Franklin’s “Amazing Grace” album recorded in Los Angeles at gospel giant James Cleveland’s church (click here), here’s a book review I wrote four years ago, “The Life of Aretha Franklin” by David Ritz. I highly recommend the book for all Aretha fans. It’s very insightful! Here’s […]

*About a week or so ago we told you about the beef between Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick that seemed to come from out of nowhere. As we reported, Franklin told the Associated Press that Warwick “blatantly lied on me . . . fully well knowing what she was doing.” Franklin was referring to a perceived slight […]

Aretha Franklin *(CNN) — The jury hearing arguments surrounding the disposition of Aretha Franklin’s estate on Tuesday determined a 2014 version of her will should stand as the document of record. After deliberating for almost one hour, jurors found that a handwritten will, discovered under a sofa cushion by Franklin’s niece after the singer’s […]

[…] the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, per NPR. READ MORE:  Patti LaBelle Jokes About ‘Smoking Reefer’ and Talks Aretha Franklin Feud on ‘Drink Champs’ | WATCH Per PEOPLE, a document from 1968 reveals that the FBI thought performances by Franklin and several of her musical peers, […]

[…] Left to Right: Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (D-Michigan); Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas); John R. Lewis holding the Award of Courage by the CBCF; Sabrina Owens, niece of Aretha Franklin; and Vaughn Franklin, nephew of Aretha Franklin. Photo Courtesy of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation *During the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) 48th Annual Phoenix Award […]

(Getty Images) *Word of an Aretha Franklin biopic to star Jennifer Hudson was first revealed last January, when Clive Davis broke the news at his annual pre-Grammy party before introducing J-Hud onstage to sing a medley of Franklin’s hits. “The artist anointed by Aretha Franklin herself,” Davis said in bringing Hudson to the stage, adding […]

Aretha Franklin shares the spirit in a moment from the newly released 1972 documentary “Amazing Grace.” *Aretha Franklin’s sons will divide the late singer’s real estate properties after a judge cited a handwritten will from 2014 found between couch cushions. We reported previously via CNN that jurors found that the handwritten will, discovered by Franklin’s […]