All hail the Queen! The Queen of Soul that is. Yes, Aretha Franklin is making her way Los Angeles for her August 2 concert at Microsoft Theater (formerly L.A. Live Nokia Theatre).
“This is going to be the best concert I’ve ever done in Los Angeles,” Franklin said. “We are going to bring it!”
She was deemed the Queen of Soul in the late ‘60s when she took over the R&B charts with songs such as “Respect,” “Think,” and “[You Make Me Feel Like} A Natural Woman.”
Franklin has been on tour performing songs from her latest album, “Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics.” The album consist of covered classics such as “Midnight Train to Georgia,” by Gladys Knight and the Pips, “I Will Survive,” by Gloria Gaynor, and the popular single from Adele “Rolling in the Deep.”
“A lot of CDs come out and there will only be a few songs that you actually like,” said the 73 year-old icon over the phone. “This album is combination of classics everyone loves. I love almost all of the songs.”
Music partner and famous producer Clive Davis originally introduced the album concept to Franklin. The majority of the songs from her latest album will be performed at her LA concert.
“I’m singing songs from the album and adding some special songs to the set list that Los Angeles hasn’t heard yet. I won’t tell anyone about the songs yet because it is a beautiful surprise,” she said.
Her fruitful talent has resulted in several prestigious awards in her career. She has won 18 Grammys and became the first female musician inducted into the Rock and Role Hall of Fame in 1987.
Recently, Franklin was chosen as a one of five honorees for the Smithsonian’s American Portrait Gala. The gala will have portraits of each honoree in the museum’s collection as a tribute to their imprint in their dedicated fields. It’s no question as to why the museum would honor Franklin. She has been in the music business for more than 50 years and she knows how to keep her career alive. That’s why she has a word of advice for up and coming artists who seek to have her longevity.
“I think new artist should surround themselves with people who have experience and knowledge about the industry,” she said. “Because of my love for music I was fortunate to have a great audience that stuck with me through my career.”
One thing that hasn’t changed is Franklin’s voice. Just as powerful as her early years, the depth of her voice continues to remain fresh and powerful. For most musicians as time progresses vocal ranges change and tones deeper or go away. But, Franklin keeps a vocal regime to keep her rich tone.
“I make sure I don’t abuse my voice and have quiet time to maintain my voice. I hear singers do things that I would call voice abuse all the time. I try to refrain from that to keep my voice strong,” she said. “Today I think my voice is better than ever.”
Franklin is excited to come back to LA a place she called home in the 70’s. “LA is definitely one of my favorite cities. I can’t wait to shop on the [Rodeo] strip and get a burger from Fatburger.”
As her concert date draws near, Franklin took a moment to reflect on her humble start in the music business back in Detroit. She is very proud of how far she has come and when she was asked if she could turn back time to change things, she said she wouldn’t change a thing.
“I would pretty much do things the same way I’ve done it. I like the road that I traveled and the course that I come. Everything didn’t come to fast it was gradual. I paid my dues and I’m happy that my career evolved the way that it did.”
