ARETHA FRANKLIN: THE QUEEN OF SOUL

Ever since she was little girl singing in a church, the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, where her father was the charismatic minister, Aretha Franklin knew her destiny. She has stated, “Being a singer is a natural gift. It means I’m using to the highest degree possible the gift that God gave me to use. I’m happy with that.” As a teen, her father became her manager and by 18 she was signed as a gospel singer with Columbia Records and soon after Atlantic Records. Born in Memphis in 1942, Aretha Louise Franklin became a renown American singer, songwriter and pianist who won eighteen Grammys, received the Living Legend honor of Lifetime Achievement and was the first female to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in addition to the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. In 2019 the Pulitzer Prize jury awarded her posthumously a special citation “for her incredible contribution to American music and culture for more than five decades.” You now have the unique opportunity to meet this singing star and her the songs that made her great when the Palace Theater in Waterbury presents R.E.S.P.E.C.T. on Friday, February 17 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, February 19 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. As she said herself, “Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. It’s transporting, for sure. It can take you right back, years back, to the very moment certain things happened in your life. it’s uplifting, it’s encouraging, it’s strengthening.” This tribute concert has been called “electrifying” as it features her story of triumph and trials, love and disappointment, overtures and obstacles. You just might find yourself dancing to such tunes as “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Loved You), “Chain of Fools,” “Think,” “Respect,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” “A Rose is Still a Rose,” “Ain’t No Way,” “Jump to It,” and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” For tickets ($45-85), call the Palace Theater in Waterbury at 203-346-2000 or online at palacetheaterct.org. On Friday, February 17 at 6 p.m. a special dinner swill be held upstairs in the Poli Club for $73 a person. Call for reservations. Take a page out of Aretha’s book. She felt “Every birthday is a gift. Every day is a gift.” Give yourself a special gift and come rejoice with Aretha as she celebrates life. According to her gospel, “I’ve never recorded anything I didn’t like.” So you are sure to love all the songs you will hear in this concert.