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Podcasts The Frame
Remembering Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul
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The Frame Tile
Episode 18818
Listen • 28:09
Remembering Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul

The iconic singer has died at the age of 76. We hear from her longtime bass player, Chuck Rainey; why has a documentary about her landmark 1972 performance at a Baptist church in Los Angeles never been released?; Daphne Brooks, a professor of African American Studies and Theater Studies at Yale University on the transcendent power of Aretha's voice.
The iconic singer Aretha Franklin has died at the age of 76.
The iconic singer Aretha Franklin has died at the age of 76.
(
Express Newspapers/Getty Images
)
The iconic singer Aretha Franklin has died at the age of 76.
The iconic singer Aretha Franklin has died at the age of 76.
(
Express Newspapers/Getty Images
)

Here's the lineup for today's show:

What was it like to play behind The Queen of Soul?

(Starts at 8:32)

Chuck Rainey first played bass with Aretha Franklin on her 1972 album, “Young, Gifted & Black.” He also played on her landmark gospel album, "Amazing Grace," which was recorded at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Chuck Rainey joins us from his home in Texas.

Aretha Franklin's singular voice

(Starts at 1:17)

Daphne Brooks, a professor of African American Studies and Theater Studies at Yale University, has written extensively about how the power of singers such as Franklin can "transcend" oppression through their music.

The best Aretha documentary you've never seen

(Starts at 21:09)

Her 1972 performance at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church was filmed by Sydney Pollack, but technical issues prevented its release. Decades later, the technical issues were resolved, but Franklin blocked the release of "Amazing Grace." Journalist Chris Willman fills us in on the saga.