2014 saw the likes of powerful female artists like Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Aretha Franklin and Ariana Grande (just to name a few) topping the charts and changing the industry, and today's (Dec. 12) Billboard Women in Music event honored their efforts.
Aretha Franklin is undoubtedly the Queen of Soul, a living legend, a true vocal talent. So it only made sense that she was asked her opinion of the current crop of pop girls during her interview with the Wall Street Journal. Her answers for some (Adele, Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys) were positive, fair judgments. Her reaction to others, however -- not so kind.
A shoddy satellite feed made for a poor connection between Aretha Franklin and the different television stations interviewing her, resulting in some truly awkward (but hilarious!) interviews.
Kree Harrison has been going strong ever since her audition for Season 12 of ‘American Idol,’ and her performance tonight (March 27) was no exception. The Texas native made a bold move by singing Aretha Franklin’s ‘Don’t Play That Song (You Lied),’ but with her passionate, genuine spirit and rich vocals, she did the Queen of Soul justice and then some.
While Aretha Franklin was too ill to attend goddaughter Whitney Houston's funeral, she did perform two moving tributes to the fallen singer at Radio City Music Hall.
"This honors one of the greatest singers that ever stood in front of a microphone," Franklin said, even her speaking voice musical in its lilt. "I'm speaking of none other than Whitney Elizabeth Houston."