The Smiley Smile Message Board

So very sad to hear that Aretha's gone. She's my all-time favorite female singer, one of the great voices.

Brian Wilson posted the following on FB (found it on his website):
"I’m very sad to hear about Aretha Franklin passing. She was one of the greatest and most emotional singers. I used to love listening to her in the sixties but her music is timeless. Love & Mercy to Aretha’s family and friends."

That about says it all for me. Rest in peace, Lady Soul...

Just heard about it. That's sad. She was such a great, great singer! As a kid she was coached by Mahalia Jackson

Listening right now to her first album , Songs of Faith, recorded live when she was 14. She's accompanying herself on piano. What a precious voice.

She's no slouch on piano, either -- Aretha could rock those keys!

Did she play on any of her hit records? A lot of times, I am unaware of the instrumental abilities of soul artists, because it seems they are always presented on stage holding a microphone (well, unless your name is Stevie Wonder). Didn't Marvin Gaye start off as a drummer at Motown? I used to see James Brown go over to the organ sometimes during shows. And I've heard at least one recording where Sam Cooke is backing himself on guitar.

Aretha was a major artist to put it lightly.  Mid 60s to early 70s she was it ya know?  In 1974 the brother of her trumpet player and I believe then boyfriend who was the teacher of my 2 younger brothers drove the 3 of us to some festival in Atlanta which she was to headline.  We were going to get to meet her and all that but she no-showed!   Fear of flying was the excuse given.  Oh well.

Those great singles in her hey day, can't beat 'em.  Cued up "Chain of Fools" just the other day.

Rest in Peace and thanks for the great music.

Quite a few of them! Respect, Chain of Fools and Think, to name a few. Up to her last album in 2014, she would usually play on at least one or two tracks per album. 

This was really cool!

Rainbow Appears During Tigers' Moment of Silence for Aretha Franklin (https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2792108-rainbow-appears-during-tigers-moment-of-silence-for-aretha-franklin?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial)

'Amazing Grace': Exclusive look at never-aired footage of Aretha Franklin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGACSQdY45Q



"Amazing Grace": The Aretha Franklin documentary that took 46 years

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g71yGlO7CWc

I finally got and watched "Amazing Grace" on DVD. What a movie! The real stuff!

Yes indeed. We watched it on Dutch (or was it UK?) TV a year or so ago. What an atmosphere! It's just a pity that you see so little of the musicians.

Ah, great minds think alike! This doc is up next in my queue.

Hi Lizzie. Please let us know what you think of it!

Watched it twice and really enjoyed it.
Downloaded the live album that had been made of these performances .

It's nice to have some good news for a change. ;)