Aretha Franklin by Richard Bernstein for Interview Magazine
We lost a legend today, Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul passed away aged 76.
She was never really a major musical Gay Icon like Judy Garland or Donna Summer or Cher… Aretha was rooted in gospel music which doesn’t really head the list for “Beloved Gay Genres of Music” but her 55+ year long career as the Queen Diva of Soul Music earned her millions of passionate fans, gay and straight.
She was EVERYBODY’s Queen.
You can bet that last dollar tucked away in your shoe, that Miss Aretha was on the jukebox at the Stonewall Inn in June of 1969. The backroom jukebox at the Stonewall was heavily stocked with classic Motown singles including Aretha’s latest single, “I Can’t See Myself Leaving You”.
And, frankly, we’re pretty damned bummed she has left us…but, also pretty thankful she left us hundreds of her songs to cherish.
RESPECT, Miss Franklin.
DJ Riz has been playing Aretha’s greatest songs over at KEXP….check it out.
Tags: Aretha Franklin, KEXP, The Queen of Soul, The Stonewall Jukebox
