Originally Posted by
Mark Desjardines
I just finished reading my copy of David Ritz's new bio on Aretha Franklin., "Respect," and it is a stunner! I now have so much more background to help me understand what was motivating her at different points in her career when I listen to her albums. As Jerry Wexler stated, “I think of Aretha as Our Lady of Mysterious Sorrows,” he wrote in “Rhythm and the Blues.” “Anguish surrounds Aretha as surely as the glory of her musical aura.”
I have been researching the life and times of Mae West for my manuscript, "In Search of Mae West," and have uncovered that much of her documented life runs very opposite to the reality as well. Perhaps this is a trait of stars wanting to "rewrite history." From my point of view, knowing what obstacles and insecurities dogged Aretha, I now have even more RESPECT for her!
Bookmarks