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Aretha Franklin Taking June Off, Expected to Resume Shows in July
... Aretha Franklin is taking off the month of June. A spokesman for the 71-year-old singer says Franklin will reschedule two shows and resume her touring schedule in July. Publicist David Brokaw provided no other details Tuesday. Franklin announced earlier this month that she would cancel scheduled performances in Chicago and Connecticut this week to undergo medical treatment. She did not specify what type of treatment she was receiving. Franklin appeared on the season finale of "American Idol" last week via satellite, singing a medley of her hits with the show's female finalists. The 71-year-old soul great underwent a surgery in late 2010 for an undisclosed health problem. Prior to the operation, she was forced to miss various concerts and personal appearances. Aretha Franklin Taking June Off, Expected to Resume Shows in July ... [ read more ]
Singer Aretha Franklin postpones three more concerts
... Franklin was too ill to perform. "It's doctor's orders. She's really not well," O'Grady said. Franklin, a towering figure in popular music during the 1960s and 1970s with hits including "Respect" and "Chain of Fools," was forced to cancel a concert tour in 2010 to undergo surgery for an undisclosed health issue. She performed via satellite during last week's finale of TV singing contest "American Idol." Franklin sang a medley of her songs with the finalists. (Reporting by Eric Kelsey; Editing by Piya Sinha-Roy and Stacey Joyce)Loading... Singer Aretha Franklin postpones three more concerts ... [ read more ]
Aretha Franklin Clears June Schedule
... singer has cancelled performances for medical reasons in the past, including scrapping a 2010 tour to have surgery for an undisclosed health issue. Franklin appeared on the season finale of American Idol last week by satellite and sang a medley of her hits with female finalists. RelatedAretha Franklin to Reunite with Clive Davis for Next AlbumAretha Franklin Comes Back Strong at Chicago Tour Kick-OffAretha Franklin Opens Up About Her Health Scare on 'Wendy Williams'This article originally appeared on Rolling Stone: Aretha Franklin Clears June Schedule Aretha Franklin Clears June Schedule ... [ read more ]

Aretha Franklin

(March 25, 1942)
Aretha Franklin

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Known as the "Queen Of Soul," Franklin is known for her powerful voice. She is also known as a Diva - VH1 devoted a special in her honor with the 2001 show VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin.
In 1987, she became the first woman inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
She was married to her manager, Ted White, from 1962-1969. Aretha refuses to discuss this.
She has a lifelong fear of flying, and after a shaky flight aboard a twin-engine plane in 1984, she has refused to fly. This has limited her touring considerably, and cost her the lead role in a musical biography of Mahalia Jackson.
Aretha is a talented piano player. She played on her 1967 hit "Respect."
She played a waitress in the 1980 movie The Blues Brothers.
In 2008, she was voted Greatest Singer Of All Time by the musicians and journalists selected by Rolling Stone magazine to name their favorite singers of the Rock era. Following Aretha were Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke and John Lennon. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France, for all above)
According to her concert contract, Aretha Franklin likes to receive $25,000 of her performance fee in cash on the night of a concert. The rider for her live shows also states that the Queen of Soul and her security personnel must be accommodated in hotel rooms below the 5th floor.

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Comments:

January 2009 - Aretha Franklin's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has been defaced-- apparently by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The words "Fur Hag" were painted on the star as a protest to the Queen of Soul's wardrobe. In recent weeks, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and Sharon Stone have had their stars vandalized, as well.
- DeeTheWriter, Saint Petersburg, Russia Federation
Aretha Franklin was honored with the Torch of Freedom award by the Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard and Airmen's Club of New York Sunday (December 14, 2008). "No-show Aretha" did miss the award presentation in Times Square that afternoon but performed at a concert that evening.
- DeeTheWriter, Saint Petersburg, Russia Federation
Aretha Franklin was ticked at Beyoncé Knowles, who dueted at the ceremony with Tina Turner and dared to call Tina "the queen". "I dismissed it as a cheap shot for controversy," Aretha snuffed on Tuesday (February 12, 2008).
- DeeTheWriter, Saint Petersburg, Russia Federation
Fire destroyed a mansion in Michigan owned by legendary singer Aretha Franklin Friday (October 25, 2002), making it difficult for investigators to determine the cause of blaze. Nobody was at the Oakland County home at the time, officials said. According to one of Franklin's building contractors, the singer hasn't lived in the house for two years and used it to store boxes and furniture.
- DeeTheWriter, Saint Petersburg, Russia Federation
Aretha Franklin filed suit in Detroit Wednesday (November 28, 2002) against the Star tabloid over a story they ran last year alleging she had a drinking problem. The Queen of Soul is asking for $50 million.
- DeeTheWriter, Saint Petersburg, Russia Federation
Aretha Franklin played piano on Sam Moore's (of Sam and Dave fame) unreleased 1971 solo album PLENTY GOOD LOVIN. Produced by Memphis soul legend King Curtis, the album was finally released on cd in 2002.
- John, Nashville, TN
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