Aretha Franklin

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#181
News just in:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-45406434
Aretha Franklin's family found eulogy 'distasteful'
Aretha Franklin's family have said that they found the closing eulogy at her funeral offensive and distasteful.

The Rev. Jasper Williams Jr. said black America was losing "its soul" and described children raised without a father as "abortion after birth".

"He spoke for 50 minutes and at no time did he properly eulogise her," said Vaughn Franklin, the singer's nephew, speaking on behalf of the family.

He added that his aunt did not choose the pastor to speak at her funeral.

Instead, the family selected Williams because he had spoken at other family memorials, including the funeral of Franklin's father, the minister and civil rights activist CL Franklin.

"We feel that Rev. Jasper Williams, Jr. used this platform to push his negative agenda, which as a family, we do not agree with," the family said.

The pastor's fiery, old-school sermon received a mixed response in the church on Friday. Some of the congregation could be heard whispering: "Talk about Aretha!" but others gave the speech a standing ovation.

Many felt his comments about single parent families were offensive, especially as Franklin raised four children by herself.
Others were incensed by his assertion that: "Black lives must not matter until black people start respecting black lives and stop killing ourselves."

Stevie Wonder, who played immediately after Rev. Williams' eulogy, seemed to address those comments, saying: "We need to make love great again because black lives do matter. Because all lives do matter."

The pastor has not backed down from anything he said at the funeral, and said he respects the family's opinion.
"I understand it," he said. "I regret it. But I'm sorry they feel that way."

Responding to criticism of his eulogy at the weekend, he said some of his comments had been misunderstood.
"I'm sure much of the negativity is due to the fact that they don't understand what I'm talking about," he said.

"Anybody who thinks black America is all right as we are now is crazy. We're not all right. It's a lot of change that needs to occur. This change must come from within us.

"It is ludicrous for the church not to be involved. The church is the only viable institution we have in the African-American community. We must step up and turn our race around."

Vaughn Franklin said the speech had "caught the entire family off guard," as they had not discussed the content of the eulogy in advance.

"It has been very, very distasteful," he said. It was unfortunate, he added, because all the other speakers and performers had been respectful.
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#184
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI --Aretha Franklin's Bloomfield Township home is up for sale and while it's empty now, it's decked out in the way you'd expect the Queen of Soul's home to be and for the community its in, it's quite affordable.
Bloomfield Township recently ranked as the most expensive ZIP code in the state, but the price tag on Aretha's home is $800,000 (the most expensive home is over $10 million in the small township, for comparison).
Aretha's Colonial-style home has five bedrooms, 6.5 baths, and more than 4,100 square feet.

The home boasts white marble floors with blackstone counter tops that have striking contrast in the kitchen. Hardwood flooring runs throughout the house leading to floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking two small ponds and the gated community's lap pool. There's even a sauna, a three-car garage and a jetted tub, according to Realtor.com.

https://patch.com/michigan/royaloak/s/gjlb5/peak-inside-aretha-franklins-home-sale
 
#188
Rouge H said:
Yes, if you go to the realtors website they show the complete listing with all the windows having black wrought iron bars.
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Thanks. That's strange because it doesn't exactly seem like they'd need them looking at the community. I wonder if they had it installed because the house was sitting empty and didn't want it vandalized. It looks odd how they're installed on the inside like that vs outside like normal.
 
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#189
Tyler Perry to Host Aretha Franklin Tribute Special for CBS, Recording Academy


https://variety.com/2018/music/news/aretha-franklin-tyler-perry-tribute-cbs-special-1203095831/

Filmmaker Tyler Perry is set to host a concert tribute to Aretha Franklin that will air as a special next year on CBS.

“Aretha! A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul” will be taped Jan. 13 at the Shrine Auditorium. Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Alessia Cara, Kelly Clarkson, Common, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Patti LaBelle, BeBe Winans, Brandi Carlile, Chloe X Halle, H.E.R., Janelle Monáe and SZA are among the performers set to take part.

Franklin, an 18-time Grammy winner, died in August at age 76. “Aretha!” is a joint effort of CBS, the Recording Academy, AEG Ehrlich Ventures and music mogul Clive Davis.

“This special will celebrate Aretha Franklin’s numerous accomplishments as an entertainment icon, singer, songwriter, pianist, actress and civil rights activist,” said Jack Sussman, CBS’ exec VP of specials, music and live events. “Aretha had an incredible effect on humanity and music with her indomitable spirit and grace. We look forward to honoring this music legend with numerous performers who all admire and respect the Queen of Soul.”


Ken Ehrlich, who is exec producing the special with Davis, said the focus will be on highlighting “the remarkable musical and cultural accomplishments of the Queen of Soul through her own words and music as well as through the performances of an amazing group of musical artists who will gather to celebrate her amazing musical heritage.”

Added Davis: “Aretha was more than the Queen of Soul; she was a national treasure. This unique concert — featuring many of today’s greatest artists — will celebrate Aretha in a spectacular manner befitting her once-in-a-lifetime talent.”
 
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#190
berrydiva said:
Thanks. That's strange because it doesn't exactly seem like they'd need them looking at the community. I wonder if they had it installed because the house was sitting empty and didn't want it vandalized. It looks odd how they're installed on the inside like that vs outside like normal.
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Bloomfield Hills and surrounding area is definitely not a high crime place. Maybe because it was her house and she wanted to discourage nutty fans, stalkers etc.?
 
#194
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