Description
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(as of Jul 28, 2024 04:58:43 UTC – Details)
By: David Ritz (Author)
Respect: The Life of Aretha Franklin
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Price: $0.00
(as of Jul 28, 2024 04:58:43 UTC – Details)
By: David Ritz (Author)
GiaMia –
So interesting
This book is so informative. I have always been interested in Aretha Franklin and this book definitely gives insight into her as an artist and behind the scenes as a woman.
Kindle Customer –
5 stars
What a great read I read a lot of stuff I never knew about the Queen of Soul.She had a great life as well as a sad life she overcome so much to start at such a young age Thank you David for bring this story to life
T. King –
Aretha Should Read It
I’ve heard the stories for years about how difficult Aretha Franklin is known to be — to fellow performers, making audiences swelter at her shows due to her disdain for air conditioning — and while I’ve enjoyed her Atlantic years recordings, her purported attitude always kept me from actually liking HER as a person. Not to mention that about 7 years ago I had the displeasure of encountering The Queen and these old men acting as her footsoldiers at Colony Records in NY when one of her peons tried to tell me where to stand. I had no idea why this old man was in my face and was about to curse him out until I realized that I was getting dangerously close to The Queen as I tried to make my way to the cash register. Who knew? And I was annoyed; if she didn’t want to be noticed, then she shouldn’t have had on that ridiculous black mink coat in April in NYC. But I digress…David Ritz has done her a major solid by finally making SENSE of who she is and why she is the way she clearly is. That is the function of a great biographer; to make a reader empathize with the subject, even one we may have had previous unfavorable impressions of. That was brilliantly done here. Now my heart in fact goes out to Aretha Franklin, and understanding the nature of her idiosyncrasies really helps one be able to see past them to take in the full breadth of who she is and what she represents. As an added plus, this was the first book I’ve read entirely on a Kindle fire, and having Aretha’s “Queen of Soul” box set playing on my headphones while reading it was a beautifully immersive experience. I can’t wait to experience more music biographies this way.I understand that Miss Franklin has released statements to the press calling this book a pack of defamatory lies, threatening legal action, etc. I hope she abandons that defensive posture and actually reads this book, and faces what truth lies within. (I acknowledge that there are probably some inaccuracies and one-sided stories, but the majority seems to ring true.) She clearly has issues with denial imperious coldness. Perhaps reading the truth will set her free.A very enjoyable read. And R-E-S-P-E-C-T to Aretha Franklin.
SAM –
Great read
Lots of things you would have never known about theQueen of Soul. Great read! Justice was truly written on this one. RESPECT!!
McKevin Webster –
I Love This Book To The Utmost!!! You will too if you are a true Aretha Fan.
I LOVE THIS BOOK! I have been an Aretha fan since age seven and this book makes my idol real. For years I have devoured everything written about “Ree” and this is clearly the best inside look at my favorite singer. Ruth Bowen is a hoot in her tell all commentary on the “Queen.” Now that I know just how real she really is I love her even more. The only surviving child of the Franklin brood is a diva to the core. If you are a die hard Aretha fan this book is for you. If you wonder how human the gospel circuit is you must read this book. I loved reading about her relationships with her siblings Carolyn, Erma, Cecil and Vaughn. I wish I knew what I learned about her sister Carolyn when I was young because she could have easily become my role model. Drugs, Sex, Booze, Jealousy and a strong faith in God is all here. Father C L Franklin was a real ladies man. I ain’t mad at him. Lol! Thank you Mr. Ritz for writing this book. You have made Aretha’s biggest fan smile.
andi clatworthy –
Ok but not great
Wasn’t as interesting as I had hoped. Have read other books about Aretha that were better.
Tom O’Leary –
Like the Queen of Soul herself, Ritz delivers a knockout punch with the definitive Aretha Franklin biography.
David Ritz has proven to be the pre-eminent author of legendary musician biographies. His book DIVIDED SOUL, about the soaring life and tragic death of Marvin Gaye, is a masterpiece. Ritz previously co-authored an Aretha Franklin autobiography that was slight and uninspiring. Fortunately for the millions of Aretha Franklin fans on the planet, Ritz has returned to tell the true life story of the Queen of Soul.This book is a roller coaster of triumph and tragedy. Through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, Aretha has created a body of recorded work and a history of soul-stirring concerts that are unmatched in the history of popular music. Ritz uncovers the pain and sorrow that ‘Re has gone through, but Ritz also serves up ‘Re’s ability to return to the ring and triumph with one knock out punch after another.At 72, Aretha has just released yet another best-selling album of classic performances. Ritz brings to life one of the greatest artists of our time. This book is a must read for all true Aretha fans. Like the Queen herself, this bio is triumphant, deeply moving and a thrilling read.
Vickie Edwards –
Excellent
This book was purchased as a gift for my mother. We had went to the movie and I thought she would get more out of the book. It’s so detailed and interesting a must read.
Luciano Visintin –
Great book nice bio of her life
Theresa Murphy –
The book is a good honest read about the life of Aretha.
Amazon Customer –
the beginning of the book is fascinating but in the middle I got bored by the explanations of her recording sessions. I stopped but I will probably pick it up again in the future.
madman –
of the queen of soul !!!!! Gebraucht bestellt, sieht aus wie ungelesen!
John –
After 1999s enormously disappointing co-authorship of Aretha’s “From the Roots” comes this version of Re’s bio with much of the detail previously omitted by the Diva. According to Ritz he was effectively excluded from editing “Roots” and the result is a reflection of the way Re sees herself in the musical firmament. It ain’t necessarily so! If this is true it would explain why “Roots” was a commercial and critical failure and why it failed to reflect Ritz’s normally incisive authorship, so effective in bios of other superstars of music (Ray Charles, BB King, Smokey Robinson, Etta James, Jerry Wexler etc)