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Aretha Franklin‘s riches weren’t getting much R-E-S-P-E-C-T, allegedly, before she died last August — cops are on the hunt for someone who stole from her.
According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, police in Michigan are conducting an investigation into the...
Aretha Franklin Cash Stolen Before Her Death ... Cops Investigating
Showing posts with label Aretha. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aretha. Show all posts
Friday, January 11, 2019
Aretha Franklin Cash Stolen Before Her Death ... Cops Investigating
Monday, November 19, 2018
2018 AMAs Stirring Tribute To Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin was honored at the 2018 American Music Awards with a star-studded performance of the Queen of Soul’s timeless gospel classics … with Gladys Knight leading the way.
Gladys, a friend of the late singer, started the tribute with a beautiful rendition of “Amazing Grace” … bringing the audience to its feet one last time at the end of the 3-hour award show.
Gladys introduced Donnie McClurkin, and he energized the room by singing “Climbing Higher Mountains.”
A gospel choir came onstage for CeCe Winans‘ performance of “Mary Don’t You Weep” … and people were dancing in the aisles by the time Ledisi launched into “How I Got Over.”
The memorial performance ended with gospel duo Mary Mary singing a traditional gospel, “Old Landmark.”
Aretha died August 16 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 76.
Friday, October 26, 2018
Aretha Franklin"s Lawyer Files Docs with Estate for Unpaid Legal Bills
Aretha Franklin is getting dogged in death over legal bills … TMZ has learned. The late singer’s lawyer, Gregory Reed, says he had trouble collecting what Aretha owed him when she was alive … so he’s now hoping her estate will cough up…
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Aretha Franklin Remembered With Stirring Tribute at 2018 American Music Awards
Aretha Franklin was honored at the 2018 American Music Awards with a star-studded performance of the Queen of Soul’s timeless gospel classics … with Gladys Knight leading the way. Gladys, a friend of the late…
Saturday, September 1, 2018
John Legend Just Can"t Pick His Favorite Aretha Franklin Song
John Legend picking a favorite Aretha song is like eating just one potato chip … it’s just impossible. John was flying solo Thursday night at Craig’s in WeHo, when our photog asked if one song from the Queen stood out. Check out John’s answer. He…
Friday, August 31, 2018
Aretha Franklin"s "Celebration of Life" Funeral Service in Detroit (LIVE STREAM)
Aretha Franklin’s star-studded funeral is underway in Detroit, with more big acts slated to perform and give the “Queen of Soul” a final, fitting send-off … and TMZ’s streaming it live at 10 AM ET. Aretha’s “Celebration of Life” is taking place…
Aretha Franklin"s Memorial Concert Features a Long Lineup of Stars (LIVE STREAM)
Aretha Franklin’s memorial in Detroit is in full swing — which has turned out to be a marathon of live music to honor the Queen of Soul — and Patti LaBelle gave an incredibly moving performance. Patti sang her hit song “You Are My Friend,”…
Smokey Robinson Reminisces About His Lifelong Friend Aretha Franklin
Smokey Robinson was a lifelong friend of Aretha’s, with way too many memories to isolate just one. We got the legendary singer/songwriter at LAX Thursday, where he was leaving for Detroit to attend the Queen’s funeral. Smokey knew Aretha since he…
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Danny Glover Has the Perfect Song for Aretha Franklin"s Funeral
Danny Glover says he’s got the perfect tune to sing at Aretha Franklin’s funeral — it’s a gospel classic, but it doesn’t appear to be one the Queen of Soul covered herself. We got the “Lethal Weapon” star Wednesday at The Palm in Bev Hills and…
Chaka Khan Says She"s Nervous About Performing at Aretha Franklin"s Funeral
This is wild! Chaka Khan — a 10-time Grammy winner and as well-seasoned a performer as anyone in the biz — says she’s got butterflies about performing at Aretha Franklin’s funeral. We got the iconic funk singer Wednesday as she was heading…
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Senator Debbie Stabenow Pulling Double Duty For Aretha Franklin, John McCain Services
Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow has one busy — and bittersweet — weekend ahead of her. Debbie plans to attend services for Aretha Franklin in Detroit AND John McCain in Washington D.C. — all in about 48 hours. The Senator tells us it’s going to…
Thursday, August 23, 2018
Aretha Franklin Detroit Memorial Features 24 Musical Acts
TMZ just got a list of the performers who will take the mic at Aretha Franklin’s memorial next Thursday, and it’s awesome!!! Check this out: The Four TopsGladys KnightJohnny GillRon IsleyKiki SheardKurt CarrJean CarneDoug CarnRonnie McNeirLJ…
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Aretha Franklin Had No Will
Aretha Franklin shockingly left no will behind … which is surprising given her circumstances. According to court documents obtained by TMZ, the singer died “intestate” — meaning she had no will at the time of death. It’s especially…
Aretha Franklin"s Family Not Upset Over Madonna"s Flubbed VMAs Tribute
Madonna tried (and failed) to adequately pay tribute to Aretha Franklin at the VMAs this week — and while many of Aretha’s fans are pissed … the woman’s own kin isn’t. We spoke with one of Aretha’s nephews, Tim Franklin, who says the family was…
Madonna Tries, Mostly Fails to Defend Aretha Franklin Tribute at the VMAs
The Material Girl went ahead on Monday night and earned herself a new nickname:
The Narcissistic, Disrespectful, Rambling Woman Who Managed to Screw Up a Tribute to Arguably the Greatest Singer of All-Time.
It doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but it does sum up what transpired yesterday evening at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards.
Prior to presenting the award for Video of the Year (which went to Camila Cabello), the 60-year old singer was asked to talk about Aretha Franklin, who died last Thursday at the age of 73.
But instead of saying nice things about this iconic artist, Madonna told a rambling story about, well… herself.
You see, a long time ago, Madonna was struggling to make it as a dancer, so she went to a musical theater audition with a group of French producers.
“Why not?” she thought at the time, telling this long story on stage in front of a consued crowd and adding:
“The worst that can happen is I can go back to getting robbed, held at gunpoint, and being mistaken for a prostitute in my third-floor walk-up that was also a crack house.”
Okay, sure. Yeah. Tell us more, Madge…
It turned out that Madonna nailed the dance portion of the audition yet she panicked when those in charge asked her to produce sheet music and sing.
She wasn’t prepared for such a request!
“I had to think fast. My next meal was on the line,” she said, finally bringing this winding tale back to the late subject at suppose hand:
“Fortunately, one of my favorite albums was Lady Soul by Aretha Franklin. I blurted out, ‘You Make Me Feel!’ Silent. ‘You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman!’”
So… Madonna sang this famous song, the producers loved it, but she actually didn’t get the gig.
She did get a job in Paris as a result of the audition, though, and… SIGH.
You really need to just watch clips from this convoluted, self-serving speech below:
How did an Aretha Franklin tribute end up being a story all about Madonna’s early years as an entertainer?
Simple, Madonna explained in a follow-up Instagram post: This was never supposed to be a tribute!
“I was asked to present video of the year by MTV! And then they asked me to share any anecdotes I had in my career connected to Aretha Franklin!” wrote Madonna as a caption to a photo (below) of her and Cabello.
Continued Madonna in her own defense:
“I shared a part of my journey and thanked Aretha for inspiring me along the way. I did not intend to do a tribute to her!
“That would be impossible in 2 minutes with all the noise and tinsel of an award show. I could never do her justice in this context or environment.”
Madonna did conclude her speech at the VMAs by stating:
None of this would have happened, could have happened without our Lady of Soul. She led me to where I am today.
And I know she influenced so many people in this house tonight. I want to thank you, Aretha, for empowering all of us. R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Not very apologetic in her Instagram post, Madonna slammed her critics and reiterated her affection for Franklin, closing her statement as follows:
“Unfortunately most people have short attention spans, and are so quick to judge. I love Aretha! R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
“I Love Camilla! Congrats! I LOVE my dress! AND. I love-L O V E!! and there is nothing anyone can say or do that will change that.”
Well… okay then!
We guess that settles that.
Madonna loves Aretha. And Cabello. And her own fashion taste. And love in general.
And, let’s not forget what Madonna also loves most of all, even in the wake of maybe the most influential artist in history passing away.
HERSELF.
Madonna Gets DESTROYED for Bizarre, Self-Serving Aretha Franklin Tribute
The 2018 MTV Video Music Awards proved that both Jennifer Lopez and Madonna pretty much never age or change.
The former was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the ceremony and also put on an incredible performance that showed off her dance moves and her ridiculous body.
The latter, meanwhile, stood on stage and was tasked with paying tribute to Aretha Franklin, the truly legendary singer who passed away last week from cancer.
But most viewers think she made this tribute all about herself.
Following a video of Franklin’s “I Say a Little Prayer” on a big screen, members of the audience – including Lopez and Camila Cabello – were reduced to tears as they remembered the iconic artist.
Madonna then spent her segment in front of the crowed rambling on about the impact Franklin had on her career.
This maybe, possibly could have worked.
Madonna could maybe, possibly have brought everything back around and used her tale as a way to depict the enormous impact Aretha had on the entire music industry.
Instead, though, she barely even mentioned Franklin by name.
At one point, for example, Madonna shared her experience at an audition where she sang Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” in a last-minute decision after she had failed to bring sheet music or prepare another song.
Okay…
She explained that she ended up belting out this track “by heart,” acapella.
And then said that the two men for whom she was auditioning didn’t believe “some skinny-ass white girl” was going to “[sing] a song by one of the greatest soul singers that ever lived.”
No one watching had any idea what this had to do with Franklin herself. It just sounded like Madonna giving herself a great deal of props.
Social media was quick to erupt with criticism for the strange, self-serving way in which The Material Girl essentially ignored the entire point of this Franklin tribute.
Madonna did end up saying at least a few nice words about Franklin.
She concluded her rambling speech as follows:
“I want to thank you, Aretha, for empowering all of us. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Long live the queen.”
But the damage had already been done.
Some folks are even calling for an apology to be issued, as explained by these two individuals on Twitter:
I hope the vmas plan to issue a public apology for allowing Madonna to disrespect Aretha Franklin’s legacy like that #VMAs.
“I’m so lost. I thought Madonna was supposed to be paying homage to Aretha but I all heard was her paying homage to herself.
Come on, you are probably thinking.
Could this have been all THAT bad?
Welp, we’ve posted snippets of Madonna’s speech below. Go ahead and find out for yourself!
Friday, August 17, 2018
Aretha Franklin Honored by Pink"s Hot Dogs
How’s this for a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T? One of Aretha Franklin’s favorite joints paid tribute to the late singer with a gigantic banner making it crystal clear … she’ll never be forgotten. Hollywood’s famous Pink’s Hot…
Aretha Franklin"s Death Certificate Shows Cause of Death Was Pancreatic Cancer
Aretha Franklin died as the result of pancreatic cancer … according to her death certificate. The doc says the Queen of Soul died at 9:50 AM on August 16, 2018. The death certificate also says Aretha will be entombed at Woodlawn Cemetery in…
Stevie Wonder Gets Emotional Remembering Last Words to Aretha Franklin
Stevie Wonder choked back tears during an interview in which he revealed his last words to Aretha Franklin before she died. Stevie joined “CBS This Morning” Friday and almost immediately got emotional when asked about his…
Stevie Wonder Gets Emotional Remembering Last Words to Aretha Franklin
Stevie Wonder choked back tears during an interview in which he revealed his last words to Aretha Franklin before she died. Stevie joined “CBS This Morning” Friday and almost immediately got emotional when asked about his…
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