(The following post contains Spoilers for the Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect”)
The new Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect” shows the Queen of Soul grappling with fame, fortune, finding the right note at the start of her career and everything that followed. But it offers little clarity around one of the most poignant parts of her young life – Franklin’s becoming pregnant as a young girl, whether willingly or otherwise.
In the opening of the film directed by Liesl Tommy, we meet a 10-year-old Aretha (played by 12-year-old Skye Dakota Turner) whose preacher father (Forest Whitaker) brings her downstairs to a party full of famous people and asks her to sing for everybody.
In a later party scene, with the clearly pre-pubescent Aretha preparing to go to sleep in her bedroom, an unnamed man enters, closes the door and says that he’ll be her “boyfriend.” Later, we see the little girl in silhouette,...
The new Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect” shows the Queen of Soul grappling with fame, fortune, finding the right note at the start of her career and everything that followed. But it offers little clarity around one of the most poignant parts of her young life – Franklin’s becoming pregnant as a young girl, whether willingly or otherwise.
In the opening of the film directed by Liesl Tommy, we meet a 10-year-old Aretha (played by 12-year-old Skye Dakota Turner) whose preacher father (Forest Whitaker) brings her downstairs to a party full of famous people and asks her to sing for everybody.
In a later party scene, with the clearly pre-pubescent Aretha preparing to go to sleep in her bedroom, an unnamed man enters, closes the door and says that he’ll be her “boyfriend.” Later, we see the little girl in silhouette,...
- 8/13/2021
- by Aarohi Sheth and Brian Welk
- The Wrap
The official trailer and poster for Respect, the biopic of Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, have been released.
The film from MGM Pictures in association with Bron Creative and One Community arrives August 13 in theaters and stars Jennifer Hudson as Franklin. The story follows her rise from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to international superstardom.
Also on board for the film are Forest Whitaker as C.L. Franklin, Marlon Wayans as Ted White, Audra McDonald as Barbara Franklin, Tituss Burgess asReverend Dr. James Cleveland, Marc Maron as Jerry Wexler, Kimberly Scott as Mama Franklin, Saycon Sengbloh as Erma Franklin, Hailey Kilgore asCarolyn Franklin, Heather Headley as Clara Ward, Skye Dakota Turner as Young Aretha Franklin, Tate Donovan as John Hammond, and Mary J. Blige as Dinah Washington.
Director Liesl Tommy makes her feature film debut with Respect. Tommy is the first Black woman nominated for a...
The film from MGM Pictures in association with Bron Creative and One Community arrives August 13 in theaters and stars Jennifer Hudson as Franklin. The story follows her rise from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to international superstardom.
Also on board for the film are Forest Whitaker as C.L. Franklin, Marlon Wayans as Ted White, Audra McDonald as Barbara Franklin, Tituss Burgess asReverend Dr. James Cleveland, Marc Maron as Jerry Wexler, Kimberly Scott as Mama Franklin, Saycon Sengbloh as Erma Franklin, Hailey Kilgore asCarolyn Franklin, Heather Headley as Clara Ward, Skye Dakota Turner as Young Aretha Franklin, Tate Donovan as John Hammond, and Mary J. Blige as Dinah Washington.
Director Liesl Tommy makes her feature film debut with Respect. Tommy is the first Black woman nominated for a...
- 5/19/2021
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
R-e-s-p-e-c-t for National Geographic, which set the premiere date for “Genius: Aretha” Tuesday and dropped the trailer for the pandemic-delayed season of the anthology, which stars Cynthia Erivo in the title role.
In the trailer, which you can view above, Erivo’s Aretha Franklin is crowned the “Queen of Soul” and spends much of the two-minute video trying to maintain hold of that title while others set out to bring her down.
Nat Geo revealed Tuesday during its day at the virtual Television Critics Association press tour that “Genius: Aretha,” which has suffered multiple production delays over the last year due to Covid-19, will air as a four-night event series beginning Sunday, March 21, at 9/8c. The eight episodes of the season will air in pairs of two, with all available to stream on Hulu by Thursday, March 25.
“Genius: Aretha” will explore “Aretha Franklin’s musical genius and incomparable career, as...
In the trailer, which you can view above, Erivo’s Aretha Franklin is crowned the “Queen of Soul” and spends much of the two-minute video trying to maintain hold of that title while others set out to bring her down.
Nat Geo revealed Tuesday during its day at the virtual Television Critics Association press tour that “Genius: Aretha,” which has suffered multiple production delays over the last year due to Covid-19, will air as a four-night event series beginning Sunday, March 21, at 9/8c. The eight episodes of the season will air in pairs of two, with all available to stream on Hulu by Thursday, March 25.
“Genius: Aretha” will explore “Aretha Franklin’s musical genius and incomparable career, as...
- 2/9/2021
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Jennifer Hudson channels Aretha Franklin in the first teaser trailer for the upcoming biopic of the late Queen of Soul “Respect,” which debuted Sunday during the BET Awards ceremony.
The film, directed by Tony-nominated director Liesl Tommy in her feature film debut, follows the rise of Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church choir to her international superstardom.
In addition to Hudson, the film also stars Forest Whitaker as her Baptist minister father C.L. Franklin, Audra McDonald as her mother, Barbara Franklin, Marlon Wayans as her first husband, Ted White, Marc Maron as music producer Jerry Wexler, Tituss Burgess as gospel music legend James Cleveland, Saycon Sengbloh as sister Erma Franklin, Hailey Kilgore as Carolyn Franklin, Heather Headley as gospel singer Clara Ward, Skye Dakota Turner as young Aretha, Tate Donovan as record producer John Hammond and Mary J. Blige as Dinah Washington.
Also Read:...
The film, directed by Tony-nominated director Liesl Tommy in her feature film debut, follows the rise of Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church choir to her international superstardom.
In addition to Hudson, the film also stars Forest Whitaker as her Baptist minister father C.L. Franklin, Audra McDonald as her mother, Barbara Franklin, Marlon Wayans as her first husband, Ted White, Marc Maron as music producer Jerry Wexler, Tituss Burgess as gospel music legend James Cleveland, Saycon Sengbloh as sister Erma Franklin, Hailey Kilgore as Carolyn Franklin, Heather Headley as gospel singer Clara Ward, Skye Dakota Turner as young Aretha, Tate Donovan as record producer John Hammond and Mary J. Blige as Dinah Washington.
Also Read:...
- 6/29/2020
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
T.I. is set to recur on Genius: Aretha, the next installment of Nat Geo’s popular anthology from Imagine Television and Fox 21 TV Studios that stars Cynthia Erivo as the Queen of Soul.
Antonique Smith and Tina Fears also have joined the project as recurring, while Ethan Henry is set to guest star as Mlk, Jr. Most of the castings happened just before Genius: Aretha, like every other TV series and movies in production, shut down a week and a half ago over the escalating coronavirus-related health crisis.
More from DeadlineCoronavirus: Disney TV Studios Shuts Down Production On 'Genius: Aretha', Postpones Filming On All PilotsNat Geo's 'Genius: Aretha' Team Unpacks The Genius Of The Legendary Singer - TCA'Genius: Aretha': Nat Geo Series Adds Seven To Cast
Additionally, on what would’ve been Aretha Franklin’s 78th birthday today, March 25, Nat Geo released a new image from the show featuring Erivo as the music legend.
Antonique Smith and Tina Fears also have joined the project as recurring, while Ethan Henry is set to guest star as Mlk, Jr. Most of the castings happened just before Genius: Aretha, like every other TV series and movies in production, shut down a week and a half ago over the escalating coronavirus-related health crisis.
More from DeadlineCoronavirus: Disney TV Studios Shuts Down Production On 'Genius: Aretha', Postpones Filming On All PilotsNat Geo's 'Genius: Aretha' Team Unpacks The Genius Of The Legendary Singer - TCA'Genius: Aretha': Nat Geo Series Adds Seven To Cast
Additionally, on what would’ve been Aretha Franklin’s 78th birthday today, March 25, Nat Geo released a new image from the show featuring Erivo as the music legend.
- 3/25/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
In the first teaser for “Respect,” Jennifer Hudson belts Aretha Franklin’s signature song for the new biopic inspired by the late Queen of Soul’s life.
“Respect” is directed by Tony-nominee Liesl Tommy, and the film follows Aretha’s rise as a singer, first in her father’s church choir, to how she eventually attains international superstardom.
Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Skye Dakota Turner, Tate Donovan and Mary J. Blige all co-star in the film.
Also Read: 'Genius': Nat Geo Shares First Look at Cynthia Erivo as Aretha Franklin (Photo)
Whitaker is playing Franklin’s father and McDonald her mother, while others in the cast are playing music icons, including Blige as Dinah Washington, Headley as Clara Ward, Burgess as Reverend Dr. James Cleveland, Donovan as Columbia Records producer John Hammond, and Maron as Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler.
“Respect” is directed by Tony-nominee Liesl Tommy, and the film follows Aretha’s rise as a singer, first in her father’s church choir, to how she eventually attains international superstardom.
Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Skye Dakota Turner, Tate Donovan and Mary J. Blige all co-star in the film.
Also Read: 'Genius': Nat Geo Shares First Look at Cynthia Erivo as Aretha Franklin (Photo)
Whitaker is playing Franklin’s father and McDonald her mother, while others in the cast are playing music icons, including Blige as Dinah Washington, Headley as Clara Ward, Burgess as Reverend Dr. James Cleveland, Donovan as Columbia Records producer John Hammond, and Maron as Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler.
- 12/20/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald and Mary J. Blige have all joined the ensemble cast of MGM’s Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect” starring Jennifer Hudson, the studio announced Friday.
Tituss Burgess, Tate Donovan and Marc Maron are also joining the life story of the queen of soul, as are Broadway stars Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Heather Headley and newcomer Skye Dakota Turner.
Tony-nominee Liesl Tommy is directing “Respect,” which goes into production on Nov. 1. Tracey Scott Wilson wrote the screenplay. “Respect” will open in theaters on Aug. 14, 2020. Scott Bernstein and Harvey Mason Jr., who has produced music for both Aretha Franklin and Jennifer Hudson, are producing the film.
Also Read: 'Genius': Nat Geo Finds Its Aretha Franklin for Next Season of Historical Anthology
Whitaker, Wayans, McDonald, Sengbloh and Kilgore are all playing members of Franklin’s family. Whitaker will portray Aretha’s father, Reverend Cl Franklin, who...
Tituss Burgess, Tate Donovan and Marc Maron are also joining the life story of the queen of soul, as are Broadway stars Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Heather Headley and newcomer Skye Dakota Turner.
Tony-nominee Liesl Tommy is directing “Respect,” which goes into production on Nov. 1. Tracey Scott Wilson wrote the screenplay. “Respect” will open in theaters on Aug. 14, 2020. Scott Bernstein and Harvey Mason Jr., who has produced music for both Aretha Franklin and Jennifer Hudson, are producing the film.
Also Read: 'Genius': Nat Geo Finds Its Aretha Franklin for Next Season of Historical Anthology
Whitaker, Wayans, McDonald, Sengbloh and Kilgore are all playing members of Franklin’s family. Whitaker will portray Aretha’s father, Reverend Cl Franklin, who...
- 10/18/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
MGM and Bron Studios have finalized the cast for its Aretha Franklin biopic starring Jennifer Hudson, who was previously announced in the lead role. Pic follows the rise of Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom. Production begins Nov. 1. Pic will be released on Aug. 14, 2020 with Universal handling overseas.
Joining Hudson in the Liesl Tommy-directed movie is Forest Whitaker; Marlon Wayans; Tony, Grammy and Emmy-winner Audra McDonald; Multiple Grammy winning, and Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominee Mary J. Blige; Marc Maron; Emmy-nominee Tituss Burgess; Tony-nominee Saycon Sengbloh; Tony-nominee Hailey Kilgore, and Tate Donovan. Emmy-nominee Tracey Scott Wilson penned the script.
It was also announced today that after a worldwide casting search, the role of young Aretha Franklin will be played by Skye Dakota Turner (Broadway’s Young Anna Mae in Tina: The Tina Turner...
Joining Hudson in the Liesl Tommy-directed movie is Forest Whitaker; Marlon Wayans; Tony, Grammy and Emmy-winner Audra McDonald; Multiple Grammy winning, and Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominee Mary J. Blige; Marc Maron; Emmy-nominee Tituss Burgess; Tony-nominee Saycon Sengbloh; Tony-nominee Hailey Kilgore, and Tate Donovan. Emmy-nominee Tracey Scott Wilson penned the script.
It was also announced today that after a worldwide casting search, the role of young Aretha Franklin will be played by Skye Dakota Turner (Broadway’s Young Anna Mae in Tina: The Tina Turner...
- 10/18/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Amazing Grace exposes never-before-seen footage taken during the intimate recording of Aretha Franklin’s iconic album. This spellbinding performance can now be relished at home, when Amazing Grace releases on Digital Download, Blu-ray and DVD 2nd September (available to pre-order now). To celebrate the release, we are giving away 2 Blu-ray copies!
In 1972, Aretha Franklin, the undisputed Queen of Soul, brought producer Jerry Wexler, her backup singers, and the legendary Atlantic Records rhythm section to The New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in the Los Angeles neighbourhood of Watts to record an album of gospel music before an enthusiastic live audience. The result, “Amazing Grace”, went on to become the top-selling gospel record of all time, the biggest album of Aretha Franklin’s career, and one of her most beloved works.
But even as the album gained fans around the world, few realised that those inspirational sessions had not only been recorded,...
In 1972, Aretha Franklin, the undisputed Queen of Soul, brought producer Jerry Wexler, her backup singers, and the legendary Atlantic Records rhythm section to The New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in the Los Angeles neighbourhood of Watts to record an album of gospel music before an enthusiastic live audience. The result, “Amazing Grace”, went on to become the top-selling gospel record of all time, the biggest album of Aretha Franklin’s career, and one of her most beloved works.
But even as the album gained fans around the world, few realised that those inspirational sessions had not only been recorded,...
- 9/4/2019
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Aretha Franklin was at the peak of her career and her creative powers when her gospel album “Amazing Grace” was released in 1972. (It sold more than two million copies and became her best-selling record.) Director Sydney Pollack was hired by Warner Brothers to make a film of Franklin’s recording session for this album at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, but Pollack didn’t use a clapperboard to synchronize picture and sound at the beginning of each take, and so he was unable to complete the movie, which sat in storage for 38 years.
The footage was handed over to producer Alan Elliott in 2008, and Elliott managed to salvage the project, but then Franklin sued him and prevented him from showing the movie at various film festivals. After Franklin’s death this year, Elliott was given the go-ahead by her estate to finally show “Amazing Grace” in theaters,...
The footage was handed over to producer Alan Elliott in 2008, and Elliott managed to salvage the project, but then Franklin sued him and prevented him from showing the movie at various film festivals. After Franklin’s death this year, Elliott was given the go-ahead by her estate to finally show “Amazing Grace” in theaters,...
- 4/3/2019
- by Dan Callahan
- The Wrap
Studiocanal has released a trailer for the music documentary showcasing never-before-seen footage of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin during the intimate recording of her iconic album ‘Amazing Grace’.
In 1971, Aretha Franklin, the undisputed Queen of Soul, brought producer Jerry Wexler, her backup singers, and the legendary Atlantic Records rhythm section to The New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in the Los Angeles neighbourhood of Watts to record an album of gospel music before an enthusiastic live audience. The result, “Amazing Grace”, went on to become the top-selling gospel record of all time, the biggest album of Aretha Franklin’s career, and one of her most beloved works.
But even as the album gained fans around the world, few realized that those inspirational sessions had not only been recorded, they had been filmed by a camera crew led by Oscar-winning filmmaker Sydney Pollack.
Pollack and his team spent two nights capturing...
In 1971, Aretha Franklin, the undisputed Queen of Soul, brought producer Jerry Wexler, her backup singers, and the legendary Atlantic Records rhythm section to The New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in the Los Angeles neighbourhood of Watts to record an album of gospel music before an enthusiastic live audience. The result, “Amazing Grace”, went on to become the top-selling gospel record of all time, the biggest album of Aretha Franklin’s career, and one of her most beloved works.
But even as the album gained fans around the world, few realized that those inspirational sessions had not only been recorded, they had been filmed by a camera crew led by Oscar-winning filmmaker Sydney Pollack.
Pollack and his team spent two nights capturing...
- 3/7/2019
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
In January 1972, Aretha Franklin went back to where it all started. Over two days at Los Angeles’ New Temple Missionary Baptist Church, she gave audiences – which included Clara Ward and Mick Jagger – a glimpse of what she learned in the Detroit church of her father, Reverend C.L. Franklin. The resulting live album, Amazing Grace, sold 2 million copies and won a Grammy. Executive producer Jerry Wexler, himself an atheist, said the album “relates to religious music in much the same way Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel relates to religious art. In terms of scope and depth,...
- 2/26/2019
- by Patrick Doyle
- Rollingstone.com
In 1990, Alan Elliott was a newly hired A&R man at Atlantic Records when he took a get-acquainted meeting with one of the label’s Mount Rushmore figures, producer Jerry Wexler. Wexler’s days with Aretha Franklin soon came up. “He said to me, ‘You heard Amazing Grace, right?’” recalls Elliott, referring to Franklin’s seminal 1972 gospel album. “I said it was my favorite record. He was a gruff fella, and he said, ‘We filmed it. We made the record and the film company made the film but fucked it up.
- 11/14/2018
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
A possible third season of National Geographic’s anthology series Genius devoted to the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is taking a major step towards becoming a reality.
I have learned that music mogul and longtime Franklin collaborator Clive Davis is expected to join the Imagine TV/Fox 21 TV Studios project as executive producer.
The idea of doing a Franklin-centered Genius came together quickly following the music icon’s August 16 death, spearheaded by Imagine’s Brian Grazer. The project had been moving full steam ahead since, with securing access to Franklin’s music considered the one key element that would clinch a green light. Bringing David on board is considered very important in that aspect.
Davis, currently chief creative officer for Sony Music Entertainment, worked with Franklin for decades. He spoke at the singer’s funeral and has been organizing a big Aretha Franklin tribute concert.
Genius was renewed for a third season in April,...
I have learned that music mogul and longtime Franklin collaborator Clive Davis is expected to join the Imagine TV/Fox 21 TV Studios project as executive producer.
The idea of doing a Franklin-centered Genius came together quickly following the music icon’s August 16 death, spearheaded by Imagine’s Brian Grazer. The project had been moving full steam ahead since, with securing access to Franklin’s music considered the one key element that would clinch a green light. Bringing David on board is considered very important in that aspect.
Davis, currently chief creative officer for Sony Music Entertainment, worked with Franklin for decades. He spoke at the singer’s funeral and has been organizing a big Aretha Franklin tribute concert.
Genius was renewed for a third season in April,...
- 10/30/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The upcoming third season of National Geographic’s scripted anthology series Genius may be devoted to the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, who died in August at age 76.
Genius, which comes from Imagine Television and Fox 21 TV Studios, was renewed for a third season in April, with author Mary Shelley revealed as its subject, to follow Albert Einstein and Picasso. I hear that installment remains in development.
I hear the idea for doing a Franklin-centered Genius came together quickly and was spearheaded by Imagine’s Brian Grazer. While sources close to the matter caution that there are still hurdles in securing all the rights necessary, I hear that everyone involved feels optimistic, and they are moving full-steam ahead with a potential Aretha Franklin third season while deals are being hammered out.
Imagine has done multiple projects about iconic music artists, including the award-winning documentary The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years,...
Genius, which comes from Imagine Television and Fox 21 TV Studios, was renewed for a third season in April, with author Mary Shelley revealed as its subject, to follow Albert Einstein and Picasso. I hear that installment remains in development.
I hear the idea for doing a Franklin-centered Genius came together quickly and was spearheaded by Imagine’s Brian Grazer. While sources close to the matter caution that there are still hurdles in securing all the rights necessary, I hear that everyone involved feels optimistic, and they are moving full-steam ahead with a potential Aretha Franklin third season while deals are being hammered out.
Imagine has done multiple projects about iconic music artists, including the award-winning documentary The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years,...
- 10/12/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Less than a week before her death, Aretha Franklin was on the phone with a friend, planning her next record. “I knew she was under the weather,” says Harvey Mason Jr., an R&B producer and session pro known for his work with Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake. “But she said, ‘Harvey, when are we going to start recording? I want hit records! I want stuff that’s going to be on the radio!’”
In her final decade, up to her very last days, the Queen of Soul...
In her final decade, up to her very last days, the Queen of Soul...
- 9/28/2018
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
London, Dec 28: American soul singer Fontella Bass has died of complications following a heart attack she suffered 3 weeks ago, in the city where she was born, St Louis, Missouri. She was 72.
Bass had been in poor health for most of the last seven years, the BBC reported.
Her mother was the gospel singer Martha, one of the Clara Ward Singers, and Bass began performing at a young age, singing in her church's choir at the age of six.
Like many musicians of her generation, she graduated to soul and R and B in 1960s, signing to Chess Records. Her single 'Rescue Me' topped the Us R and B chart in 1965.
She was married.
Bass had been in poor health for most of the last seven years, the BBC reported.
Her mother was the gospel singer Martha, one of the Clara Ward Singers, and Bass began performing at a young age, singing in her church's choir at the age of six.
Like many musicians of her generation, she graduated to soul and R and B in 1960s, signing to Chess Records. Her single 'Rescue Me' topped the Us R and B chart in 1965.
She was married.
- 12/28/2012
- by Machan Kumar
- RealBollywood.com
Fontella Bass, a St. Louis-born soul singer who hit the top of the R&B charts with "Rescue Me" in 1965, has died. She was 72.
Bass died Wednesday night at a St. Louis hospice of complications from a heart attack suffered three weeks ago, her daughter, Neuka Mitchell, said. Bass had also suffered a series of strokes over the past seven years.
"She was an outgoing person," Mitchell said of her mother. "She had a very big personality. Any room she entered she just lit the room up, whether she was on stage or just going out to eat."
Bass was born into a family with deep musical roots. Her mother was gospel singer Martha Bass, one of the Clara Ward Singers. Her younger brother, David Peaston, had a string of R&B hits in the 1980s and 1990s. Peaston died in February at age 54.
Bass' began performing at a young age,...
Bass died Wednesday night at a St. Louis hospice of complications from a heart attack suffered three weeks ago, her daughter, Neuka Mitchell, said. Bass had also suffered a series of strokes over the past seven years.
"She was an outgoing person," Mitchell said of her mother. "She had a very big personality. Any room she entered she just lit the room up, whether she was on stage or just going out to eat."
Bass was born into a family with deep musical roots. Her mother was gospel singer Martha Bass, one of the Clara Ward Singers. Her younger brother, David Peaston, had a string of R&B hits in the 1980s and 1990s. Peaston died in February at age 54.
Bass' began performing at a young age,...
- 12/27/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
On our last post on this, about a month ago, Aretha Franklin said that her long-in-development biopic was back in motion, with an approved story treatment, and an ordered script. She also stated that casting had officially begun, with Dorothy Norwood, Karen Clark and La Shun Pace (all award-winning gospel singers), set to play the Clara Ward singers in the movie (Clara Ward being the queen of gospel music, and among those that would influence Aretha's music and vocal style, as well as a longtime lover of Rev. C. L. Franklin, Aretha's father, with whom the Ward singers toured extensively). Skip ahead to today, in an interview...
- 10/2/2012
- by Courtney
- ShadowAndAct
David Peaston, the R&B/Gospel singer who shot to fame in the late '80s and early '90s with the hits "Two Wrongs (Don't Make It Right)" and "Can I?" died on Wednesday of complications from diabetes. He was 54. Per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Peaston's niece Neuka Mitchell announced his death on Thursday, saying the crooner was surrounded by his wife and sons when he passed away at his home in St. Louis. Peaston had the music gene from the start as the son of Martha Bass, who was a member of the Clara Ward Singers gospel group. His older sister, Fontella Bass, also had a top 10 hit in 1965 with the R&B classic, "Rescue Me." Following in his...
- 2/3/2012
- E! Online
St. Louis (AP) — Singer David Peaston, who had a string of R&B hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s, has died, his family said Thursday. Peaston, 54, died Wednesday of complications from diabetes, his niece, Neuka Mitchell said. Peaston was born into a St. Louis family with deep musical roots. His mother, gospel singer Martha Bass, was one of the Clara Ward Singers. His older sister, Fontella Bass, is a noted singer whose single "Rescue Me" reached No. 1 on R&B charts and No. 4 on pop single charts in 1965. Peaston's highest charting song was "Two Wrongs (Don't...
- 2/2/2012
- by Jim Salter (AP)
- Hitfix
Roots have another hit with their new studio album .How I Got Over. which arrived on store shelves at a No. 6 on soundscan chart. The album also benefited by Friday night boost after the Roots performed its first single .Dear God 2.0. on NBC.s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. .Dear God 2.0. reworks Monsters Of Folk.s .Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.). and the Roots. recording features Mof members Yim Yames (My Morning Jacket), Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes), and M. Ward. For the Late Night performance, the Roots were joined by Yim Yames and a 12-piece string section. The new studio album got its name from .How I Got Over,. the Clara Ward gospel classic (popularized by Mahalia...
- 7/1/2010
- by Patrick Luce
- Monsters and Critics
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