“Places I enjoy the most are Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, New York, Miami and love going to Florida but it’s a long drive,” said Aretha Franklin in an exclusive interview with the Sentinel in 2012.
It’s so very hard to believe that the Queen of Soul is gone—music has lost one of its biggest influences. The city of L.A. is grateful though that within the last two decades, Franklin graced us with her presence and world-class performances.
Franklin performed in L.A. at the Hollywood Bowl, for a one-night performance, after 35 years in June 2009. In an interview with the Sentinel, Franklin stated she would play a few new songs that were featured on her album, “Aretha – A Woman Falling out of Love.” She stated she was looking forward to the performance and seeing her L.A. audience again.
Franklin returned to L.A. for a performance at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in July 2012. In an interview with the Sentinel, Franklin shared the difficulty in picking a favorite song to perform but liked putting a different spin on her classic, “Respect.”
“I find new ways and new things to do to it to keep it enjoyable to me as well,” said Franklin.
Franklin returned to L.A. again and performed in Los Angeles in August 2015 at the Microsoft Theater (formerly Nokia Theatre L.A. Live).
“Even at 73, her voice has remained as powerful as it was 50 years ago when she started her career,” noted multi-media journalist, Amen Oyiboke.
It was noted that night, she performed such hits as “Chain of Fools,” “Think” and classic, “Ain’t No Way.” She also touched on her gospel roots with a performance of “Precious Memories” with gospel singer Melvin Williams, “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” on the piano and hit songs “Camelot,” and “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?”
If all of that wasn’t enough, she honored Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” her ‘80’s classic “Freeway of Love” and of course, she gave an encore performance of “Respect.”
“I’m going to really enjoy being back in L.A.; it’s just a place I really feel good about. I love the concert audience there.
“It’s the kind of audience that just makes you want to sing all night.
“So, I can’t wait to get back,” Franklin stated in an interview.
Well, L.A. felt really good listening to your one-of-a-kind voice, timeless hits and your amazing talent playing on the ivory keys for longtime and new fans.
We are going to miss you dearly.
Rest well, Queen.
