Delfonics lead singer William 'Poogie' Hart dead at 77
William โPoogieโ Hart, a founder of the Grammy-winning trio the Delfonics who helped write and sang a soft lead tenor on such classic โSound of Philadelphiaโ ballads as โLa-La (Means I Love You)โ and โDidnโt I (Blow Your Mind This Time),โ has died at age 77.
Kenny G will play Saginawโs Temple Theatre this fall. Hereโs how to score tickets early.
SAGINAW, MI โ Kenny G, one of the best-selling musicians of all time, will perform at the Temple Theatre here this fall. โWeโre very excited about this,โ said Thor Rasmussen, spokesman for the downtown Saginaw venue. โKenny G has this legendary status for a lot of people. However, Kenny G enthusiasts can secure tickets now by donating to the annual fundraiser for the Saginaw-based Field Neurosciences Institute. Kenny Gโs life story and chart-topping success were the subjects of a 2021 HBO documentary, โListening to Kenny G.โ
mlive.comThe story of how Aretha Franklin changed this restaurantโs fried chicken recipe
The longtime Detroit restaurant has strong ties to Motown and the music scene in Detroit. One such patron was the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, who came into their kitchen one day and tweaked their fried chicken recipe.
Katy Perry, Lionel Richie get in heated debate over Aretha Franklinโs granddaughter on โAmerican Idolโ
15-year old Grace is the daughter of Kecalf Cunningham, Aretha Franklinโs youngest of four sons. โYouโre runs are really, really great. โThe age and the voice has to all come together on the same path.โTHE VOTESBryan voted no with Perry saying yes. He and Perry got into an argument over her as Richie was about to vote no. โIโm sure Aretha wasnโt aretha when she walked into the room, but somebody said yes, I want to work with you.
mlive.comMichigan singer has โbest song of all timeโ on Rolling Stoneโs 500 Greatest Songs list
A Michigan singer has the best song in the history of music, according to Rolling Stone. The publication just released its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list, remaking it for the first time since 2004. To come up with this list, Rolling Stone said it polled more than 250 artists, musicians and producers, as well as figures from the music industry, critics and journalists. The last time Rolling Stone released its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time List 17 years ago, โRespectโ came in at number 5 with Bob Dylanโs โLike A Rolling Stoneโ topping the list. Stevie Wonder, โSuperstitionโYou can see the entire 500 Greatest Songs of All Time List here.
mlive.comTalking sisterhood with the stars who play Aretha Franklinโs sisters in the new show, โGenius: Arethaโ
Aretha Franklin. It is in celebrating her life that we now get to see her genius come to life in the new series based on her life, โGenius: Arethaโ on National Geographic. Rebecca Naomi Jones and Patrice Covington, who play Aretha Franklinโs sisters on the show, Carolyn and Erma Franklin, spoke with Live In The D Host, Jason Carr about the series. In the process of filming, not only did she learn more about Aretha but about Carolyn and Erma as well. The two actresses also shared their favorite Aretha Franklin song, โUntil You Come Back to Me.โTo see the full interview, watch the video above.
Erivo on near-EGOT status: 'Iโm just going to keep working'
FILE - Actress Cynthia Erivo poses for a portrait during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Sept. 10, 2019. Erivo portrays Aretha Franklin in the National Geographic miniseries Genius: Aretha. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK โ โThe Color Purpleโ turned into Grammy, Tony and Emmy gold for Cynthia Erivo. The performerโs brilliant performance in the Broadway revival won her the 2016 Tony for best actress in a musical. โI guess I didnโt expect to be this close this soon,โ Erivo told The Associated Press of her almost-EGOT status.
National Geographicโs Aretha Franklin series to premiere at Detroitโs drive-in theatre with free screening on 313 Day
click to enlarge National Geographic/Richard DuCreeCynthia Erivo in Genius: Aretha. It stars Cynthia Erivo () as Franklin, and co-stars Courtney B. Vance, Malcolm Barrett, Patrice Covington, Kimberly Hรฉbert Gregory, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Shaian Jordan, Marque Richardson, Pauletta Washington, Steven Norfleet, and Omar J. Dorsey.Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks serves as head writer and an executive producer.Not everyone is excited about the series, however. Franklin's youngest son, Kecalf, has denounced the film , saying that others in Franklin's family do not approve of the project. "If you are a true fan please do not support it!!!" Kecalf wrote on Instagram
metrotimes.comCelebrate International Womenโs Day with women who inspire
First, Mimi talked about her inspiration, Maya Angelou. โI always think about her when I think about powerful women in history.โNext, everyone talked about their favorite women in film. Jason and Mimi both talked about Cicely Tyson, who stayed true to herself by only taking roles in films that highlighted African American women. AdFinally, Tati asked about the women in the music industry that inspire everyone. Mimi picked Aretha Franklin, an icon whoโs music transcends audiences, and who has performed at multiple presidential inaugurations.
Michigan musicians cover Aretha Franklin's 'Respect' in honor of International Women's Day
click to enlarge Screen grab/YouTubeMichigan performers come together virtually to collaborate on an Aretha Franklin cover. When the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, recorded her groundbreaking anthem of equality, empowerment, and solidarity in 1967, women were prohibited from getting a credit card in their name , safely complaining about sexual harassment in the workplace could not legally deny their husband sex , and, if pregnant, could legally be fired from their jobs ... for being pregnant.In the 54 years since Franklin released her rendition and reimagining of โRespectโ โ originally recorded by Otis Redding several years earlier, which offered a much different and hyper-misogynistic view on the topic of, well,โ we've come a long way in terms of women's rights, but the song and its message remain powerful reminders of the work yet to be done. (Equal pay, anyone? )Honoring International Women's Day (which, like, doesn't guarantee women the day off and, instead, tasks them with the emotional labor of celebrating themselves) is the reason for the season for the more than two dozen musicians, performers, and vocalists hailing from Franklin's home state who came together to demand a little โR-E-S-P-E-C-T.โThe Grand Rapids-based Michigan Music Alliance organized an ambitious collaboration between 25 female artists, as well as engineers and producers, throughout the state in cooperation with five Michigan recording studios for an electric, saxophone-heavy, and soulful rendition of Franklin's hit classic.Vocalists Serita (aka Black Rose) and Sarena Rae teamed up to tackle Franklin's larger than life vocal performance, with a former Franklin collaborator Gayelynn McKinney on drums, as well as performances by Christina Nielsen (Jack & the Bear), Josi Ala, Ingrid Racine, Zoe Cutler, Sami Blosser, BethAnne Kunert, Kaleigh Wilder, Emily Burns, Alice Sun, and others.The track was released Monday with a video composed of each individual artist's behind-the-scenes recording experience, and the making of will be the subject of an upcoming episode of thepodcast, which will also look at โthe musical legacies that are being created by women of Michigan.โYou can watch the Michigan Music Alliance's โR.E.S.P.E.C.T.โ performance below.
metrotimes.comWomenโs History Month on Live in the D kicks of with a musical โBoss Ladyโ
March is Womenโs History Month and all month long Live in the D will be featuring women making an impact in their fields. Todayโs โBoss Ladyโ is in the music industry and has already seen her name in lights with a Grammy award under her belt. Antea โA Plusโ Birchett is a Detroit native who writes songs for many stars you may know like Beyoncรฉ, Jennifer Lopez, Mary Mary, Mary J. Blige, Justin Bieber, and more. She is also currently providing vocal coaching lessons for the National Geographic Genius โArethaโ series stars and vocalists. Watch the video to learn more about this Boss Lady and how sheโs impacting the D.
Former Trump casino where stars played goes out with a bang
The former Trump Plaza casino was imploded after falling into such disrepair that chunks of the building began peeling off and crashing to the ground. โI got chills,โ Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small said. AdOpened in 1984, when Trump was a real estate developer in his pre-politics days, Trump Plaza was for a time the most successful casino in Atlantic City. AdBut things began to sour for Trump Plaza when Donald Trump opened the nearby Trump Taj Mahal in 1990, with crushing debt loads that led the company to pour most of its resources โ and cash โ into the shiny new hotel and casino. Trump Plaza was the last of four Atlantic City casinos to close in 2014, victims of an oversaturated casino market both in the New Jersey city and in the larger northeast.
Goade becomes first Native American to win Caldecott Medal
(Random House Books for Young Readers/Roaring Brook Press/Nancy Paulsen Books via AP)NEW YORK โ Illustrator Michaela Goade became the first Native American to win the prestigious Randolph Caldecott Medal for best children's picture story, cited for โWe Are Water Protectors," a celebration of nature and condemnation of the โblack snakeโ Dakota Access Pipeline. "I am really honored and proud," the 30-year-old Goade told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. The Newbery medal was established in 1922, the Caldecott in 1937. Goade, whose other books include โEncounter,โ is the first Native American to win in either category. The Stonewall Book Award for best LGBT literature was given to Archaa Shrivastav for โWe Are Little Feminists: Families."
Watch Aretha Franklinโs stunning performance at 2009 Obama Inauguration
One of the most iconic moments in recent Inauguration history comes from Detroitโs own -- Aretha Franklin. In 2009, the the first Inauguration of President Barack Obama, the โQueen of Soulโ stole the show with her jaw-dropping performance of โMy country โtis of thee.โ And donโt forget her legendary hat. Relive the moment below:
Hollywood on the Potomac: A-list turns out for Biden-Harris
Lady Gaga sings the national anthem during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol for President-elect Joe Biden in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. And country star Garth Brooks, doffing his black cowboy hat, sang a soulful a capella rendition of โAmazing Grace,โ his eyes closed for much of the song. While stars mostly eschewed Trump's inauguration four years ago, the A-list was back for Biden. Brooks was careful to call his decision to perform on Wednesday non-political, and in the spirit of unity. Alone with his guitar, The Boss sang his โLand of Hope and Dreamsโ in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
Biden aims for unifying speech at daunting moment for US
He added that Biden in many ways is โthe perfect president for the moment, because he is not hyperbolic, heโs not a bomb thrower, heโs surrounded himself with policy wonks who already have all these plans. I think what we are going to hear him talk about is โHereโs where we are, hereโs what we have to get done.' I think thatโs going to go a long way just to making people feel better." His speechwriting team is led by longtime Biden collaborator Vinay Reddy. โThere really is no parallel to what Biden faces.โ___Associated Press writer Alexandra Jaffe contributed reporting.
Charles H. Wright Museum to stream 7 Principles of Kwanzaa events
A view of the Charles H. Wright Museum for African American History in Detroit during a public visitation for Aretha Franklin on Aug. 28, 2018. (WDIV)DETROIT โ Saturday is the first day of Kwanzaa -- a seven day holiday meant to honor the ancestral roots of African Americans. To celebrate, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will present the seven principles of Kwanzaa. The museum will stream songs, dances, stories, poetry and more every night at 7 p.m. through Jan. 1. The presentations will be live streamed on the museumโs official website here.
The Ultimate Michigan Holiday Playlist features classics, original songs and more
With holiday songs playing in the background everywhere you turn this season, have you ever wondered which Michigan artists have recorded Christmas songs? We created the Ultimate Michigan Holiday Playlist on Spotify. If I missed any of your favorite Michigan artists, email me the Christmas song, and the link. Email: gonzo@mlive.comUPDATE: A reader on Twitter recommended we add โCaroling, Carolingโ by Nat King Cole. Holiday Songs by Michigan ArtistsNat King Cole - โCaroling, Caroling (Christmas Bells Are Ringing)โ (Wihla Hutson / Alfred Burt)13th annual Ebird & Friends (Virtual) Holiday ShowSee the full program here.
mlive.comWomen's Hall of Fame honors Aretha Franklin, Morrison, Lacks
The National Women's Hall of Fame was founded in 1969 in Seneca Falls, the site of the first womenโs rights convention. She won 18 Grammy awards and, in 1987, became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was 75 years old when she became the first Black woman to set foot on the North Pole, and stood on the South Pole five years later. Born during the Civil War, Terrell was a dedicated suffragist whose civil rights activism continued up until her death in 1954 at the age of 90. Terrell was the first Black woman in the United States appointed to the school board of a major city, the District of Columbia.
High court to decide whether Nazi art case stays in US court
โHe was very, very proud to have acquired the Guelph Treasure, and then was forced to sell it to the Nazis,โ she told him. It's a pursuit that has now landed him at the Supreme Court, in a case to be argued Monday. Germany and the foundation asked the trial-level court to dismiss the suit, but the court declined. โOur view is that Germany is the proper jurisdiction for a case which involves a sale of a collection of medieval German art by German art dealers to a German state,โ Parzinger said. The suit's claim that the Guelph Treasure was sold under Nazi pressure was also diligently investigated in Germany, he said.
Dems nominate Pelosi as speaker again to lead into Biden era
Against that backdrop, many House Democrats have for years impatiently insisted it's time for fresh leadership. To become speaker again, Pelosi will need more votes than House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., whoโs likely to garner nearly unanimous GOP support. Though she's likely to succeed, it wonโt be simple because when Pelosi was elected speaker in January 2019, 15 Democrats opposed her. Pelosi came to Congress in 1987 and has led House Democrats, both as the minority and majority party, ever since 2003. Pelosi has won wide acclaim among Democrats as a leading Trump foe in battles over impeachment, immigration and health care.
Detroit Lawyer To Temporarily Manage Aretha Franklin Estate
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) A Detroit lawyer who said he knew Aretha Franklin and idolized her was appointed as interim manager of her estate Tuesday, a step that could ease tensions among the late singers sons. Reginald Turner of the Clark Hill firm was picked to succeed Owens as temporary personal representative or executor. Owens, an administrator at the University of Michigan, became personal representative with the approval of the Queen of Souls sons. The latest document from 2014 indicates that Franklin wanted son Kecalf Franklin to run her estate. Kecalf Franklins attorneys accused her of mismanaging assets.
detroit.cbslocal.comArtist John Sims looks at his childhood neighborhood in 'Sorrento: Portrait of a Detroit Block'
click to enlarge Courtesy of Irwin House GalleryJohn Sims. Last year, Detroits Irwin House Global Art Center & Gallery opened its doors earlier than originally planned following the death of Aretha Franklin, who grew up nearby, in order to mount an exhibition dedicated to her life . Artist John Sims, a curator for that first show, is wrapping up a stint as the gallerys first artist-in-residence, which is also inspired by the neighborhood he grew up in in this case, Sims west side neighborhood at Sorrento Avenue and West Chicago Street.The three-part multimedia project, which is described as Sims deeply personal response to the decay and desolation of his home street, includes a visually enhanced VideoPoem (the poem is included in M.L. Lieblers Respect, also featured in this weeks issue ), a print installation that mimics the experience of walking down the block, and a book.
metrotimes.comPhotojournalist Linda Solomon visits Pages Bookshop in Detroit with collection of intimate portraits of Aretha Franklin
click to enlarge Linda SolomonRon Wood of the Rolling Stones with Aretha Frankin. Award-winning photojournalist Linda Solomon first encountered Aretha Franklin in 1983 while on assignment for her celebrity column in. Franklin agreed. Solomons photos reveal intimate moments during benefit concerts and award shows, backstage at concerts, rehearsals, family gatherings, and lavish parties, and quiet moments like Franklin escaping the lavish party to listen to her Sade records in her bedroom. Solomon will share stories behind the photos featured inand what it was like documenting a legend.
metrotimes.comAretha Franklins Cancer Doctors Recall Her Grace, Grit
DETROIT (AP) Regardless of her reputation as a performer, Aretha Franklin s cancer doctors say she was no diva as a patient. Franklins kind is exceedingly rare: Neuroendocrine cancers comprise about 7% of cancers originating in the pancreas, according to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation . Shah said she first saw Franklin after her 2010 diagnosis, surgery and treatment at Detroits Karmanos Cancer Center. She did not have that feeling that cancer was the main center of her life, Shah said. For us, it was such an inspiring journey of several years with her.In tribute to Franklin, Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation CEO Elyse Gellerman has created the Aretha Franklin Fund for Neuroendocrine Cancer Research, with the blessing of the family.
detroit.cbslocal.comBill introduced to name Detroit post office after Queen of Soul
click to enlarge ShutterstockMichigan congresswoman Brenda Lawrence presented a bill on Friday to rename a Detroit post office after the late Aretha Franklin. The post office is located at 12711 E. Jefferson Ave., and it's official name would become the Aretha Franklin Post Office Building.It's my pleasure to honor this mega talent and my good friend Aretha Franklin in this manner, Lawrence said in a press release. After renaming Chene Park to the Aretha Franklin Amphitheater, I felt additional accolades were necessary on the federal level to extend her legacy. She began singing in the church choir at Detroits New Bethel Baptist Church, where her father the Reverend C.L. Once again thank you to the beautiful 'Queen of Soul,'" Lawrence said, according to the press release.
metrotimes.comAretha Franklin tribute show to benefit music students and cancer research
click to enlarge JStone / ShutterstockThe Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre is hosting a tribute concert to mark the one-year anniversary of the Queen of Souls death. The Aug. 16 show will celebrate the life, legacy, and career of Aretha Franklin, and will focus on classical, R&B, and gospel the musical genres Franklin performed. There will also be performances by the Aretha Tribute Choir, a combined orchestra from the Detroit Public Schools Community District, and Arethas touring band and backup singers. A portion of the proceeds will fund the Aretha Franklin Endowed Scholarship and the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation, a nonprofit that works to find cures for carcinoid cancer, pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer, and other related cancers. For more information, visit: www.ClassicalGoesToChurch.comGet our top picks for the best events in Detroit every Thursday morning.
metrotimes.comStretch of Lodge freeway named 'Aretha Franklin Memorial Highway'
click to enlarge Steve NeavlingA stretch of the Lodge freeway in Detroit is being designated as the Aretha Franklin Memorial Highway.The announcement came Monday after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a House bill introduced by Rep. Leslie Love, D-Detroit.Im honored to be able to dedicate a portion of the M-10 freeway to remember Aretha and all she did for our state, Whitmer said in a statement. Aretha Franklin was an American icon. She began her career here in the heart of Detroit. Sign up for our weekly issue newsletter delivered each Wednesday.
metrotimes.com