Aretha Franklin “The Queen of Soul” will be Missed

On August 16, 2018,  Ms. Aretha Franklin passed away at the age of 76  after decades of giving us some of the best R&B music ever sang.  She was the undisputed “Queen of Soul” and one of the first Divas ever to do it.  Her powerful voice gave us Songs that have stood the test of time and will continue to live and thrive for many years to come.

Wait…..What?  You’re not sure who she is?

Ok,  young people.  I’m assuming you’re younger if you don’t know who Aretha Franklin is,  but I promise you’ve heard her music.  Let me enlighten you.

Aretha has sang some of the most power “Women anthems” of all times.  Have you ever heard of  the song R.E.S.P.E.C.T?  Yep,  that’s her ….or how about the song  “A Natural Woman”?…….Yes,  ma’am….that’s her too.

Whether you’re familiar with her name or not,  you have heard her music in endless movies and commercials, and sampled in many songs and remakes.

She was a Musical Genius

Ms. Franklin was the first female to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Music Hall of Fame.  She has also been inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame and also inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.    She has won 18 Grammys, 3 American Music Awards, 3 NAACP awards,  and in 2005 she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

All of these honors could never top the gift that she has given to the music world.  Her incomparable talent has won her the title of the “Queen of Soul” and that is what she truly was.

She was an Activist

Not only was she a musical genius,  she was also an activist who marched with Dr. Martin Luther king and was a strong contributor to the civil rights Movement.  Her song,  R.E.S.P.E.C.T,  became a mantra in that era of history.

She was an R&B Great

It hurts my heart to think of all of the greats who have left us.  Those voices of R&B that have left behind the legacy upon which todays music was built on.  From Hip Hop to Pop and Rock and Roll to Jazz,  these genres of music all started from the sound of traditional R&B.  I can only hope that the next generation continues to see the value in this genre of music.

Main stream has squeezed out this genre of music and has given it the title of old fashion singing.  But,  since when is real talent old fashion?  This worries me,  being born in a time when real music was once king,  I worry that the next generation will never know the greats like Ms. Aretha Franklin.

I am honored to have experienced her greatness and will continue to love her music.  Her legend will live on through people like me who will play her music for our future grandkids.  That’s a promise!

Rest in peace Ms. Franklin  we love you.

Love,

Toni