, which i felt was, well, aretha is being aretha.dignify it, because i'm sure she would never have dignified it. so that has passed. no ill thoughts or memories about that for me. >> well, i'm glad that you guys -- listen, with friends and loved ones, you have ups and downs, agreements and disagreements. but for me, she meant so much to my family and to my mother and to people of your generation. you guys passed so much on to us. talk to us about the legacy she will and people like her leaves behind for us, especially the  civil rights movement until now. what can we learn from her? >> i think first of all, there was only one aretha. there will only be one aretha. there will never be another one. she had something that god gave only to her. you know, i knew her very, very well. with the fact that sweet inspirations traveled with her, opening her shows, i got to know her even better. she's basically considered part of our family. it was that closeness we all had together. her legacy will be her music, of course, but her consistency o

those the words of aretha franklin.ing about professor angela davis, who joins us now from martha's vineyard. professor davis, angela, welcome to democracy now! >> thank you, amy. amy: can you talk about your thoughts on this day, the day after we learn of the death of aretha franklin and what she meant to you? >> of course this is a very sad day for people all over the country. aretetha was an i integral partf many people's lives, including my own. she madade anly because public statement indicating that she would pay my bail back in 1970, but perhaps i will say a few words about that to begin. hold aetha decided to press conference announcing that -- would pay up to $250,000 which in today's currency, would $1.55 millionout -- it was really a high point in the campaign. people believe that many who may have been ructant t to associate themselves with me because of my commumust affiliations, probably joioined ththe campaign as a a result of aretha's statement. -- whwhen i became eligible for bail, unfofortunately, aret

we immediately connect that to aretha. when aretha sang, she emoted the feelings she gave.avorite songs by her is "i've never loved a man." it's really at the end when she crescendos and you jeust feel i. she gave it to you every time she performed that song. aretha really is the bar for all other singers. if you can meet aretha, and not many can, but you have to attempt to get to that level. then i think you can be considered the type of singer and artist that aretha was. so many people have called on her, and not just r&b, but gospel. you're playing it right now in the background, but her gospel music touched so many people. >> her collaborations, her friendships with other artists, with the every man. we were just talking to a man in detroit who was saying how it meant so much she stayed there. it seems to span so much. >> i mean, we loved her. we were talking about it in the office at "essence." it's all these accolades that aretha has, but she was also still a beautiful, every day woman who brought her pocketbook everywhere. she didn't even call it a purse. there's bee

aretha franklin.lo. i'm wolf blitzer. it's 1:00 p.m. here in washington. wherever you're watching from around the world, thanks very much for joining us. it's truly a star-powered celebration of life for a queen in detroit right now, all to honor the legendary queen of soul aretha franklin. we'll show you some live pictures from inside the greater grace temple church, where family, friends, and some fortunate fans are paying their respects. among the well-known faces was one of aretha franklin's childhood friends, smokey robinson. >> so now my longest friend has gone home, and you went to be with our father like we all have to do one of these days. and i know you're up there celebrating with your family and with all of our neighborhood friends who have gone, and you're going to be one of the featured voices in the choir of angels because, you know, you'd have to be. >> through prayers of comfort, songs of celebration, the life of the queen of soul is being remembered right now. take a look at some of

>> it was aretha.nd this particular partyeric holder and his wife came and we were there and we took that picture. and it was aretha did everything with class. it was -- you would know you were among royalty but at the same time, down home. she never lost that authenticity and that whole church feeling. i teased all the time when i was looking at you just played her singing at the inauguration. i told her, you were wearing the ultimate sunday go to meeting church -- >> isn't that true. that was amazing hat. so fantastic. >> she loved it too. she absolutely was the ultimate -- never left her gospel roots and she -- any concert, she would break out in gospel song and do a hole hi dance. she didn't care who was there. she was never ashamed of any of her roots and in fact made us all proud. that's part of her legacy. she made us embrace ourselves. >> i remember that moment so clearly when she came out and i thought exactly that, she has got her sunday church outfit on and she's going to sing praise to the

i love aretha.oung, to stand up, to speak up, and to speak out. she gave us hope. during the sit ins, the marches, i remember from time to time getting out of jail in alabama, we would go to a club and put a quarter in a machine, and listen to her music. and her music gave us hope in a time of trouble. >> i want to talk a little bit more about that because her father, congressman, he was friends with martin luther king. she performed and toured for dr. king. and i want to play this for you. it's a cnn exclusive. it's never before seen interview from an upcoming original series. this is aretha franklin talking about dr. king and her father. watch this. >> i certainly saw the beginning of dr. king and what he was trying to do, bring people together, and fighting for parity and to erase the discriminations and different things. and fighting for a number of things. yes, he was a civil rights activist. he and my dad were friends. and my dad brought him to detroit. there was a moment that after -- well, m

i was called last week to meet with aretha.ke up baby. she opened her eyes. the warmth of her hand one more time. it was a hard good-bye. we came back that night with sabrina for another prayer meeting. a group playing in the background. i thought it was the last time shakespeare said when -- when she shall die take her hand up in stars and she will make the heavens so fine, all the world will be in love with night. aretha had the power to make the film directors cry. it was deep and profound. she got sick. we talked more and more. she called late at night. are you coming? yes. you bringing bread? i'm not bringing bread. not going to bother. inside joke. we went to four or five hospitals. to cap off singing and service, she went to new york knowing she had cancer. she was there in the bus to help aids victims. that is a signature moment in her life, all the times she was seen in her own situation, yet she was there. she asked me to give her a favorite testimony. it was that when i was a kid growing up in south carolina, they wo

aretha did what she did.t was all a lot of love. >> for those of you who did not grow up in a black baptist church like myself, this is something that we are going to be singing a lot of throughout the course of the next few hours at this worship service. for those of you who did not make it to church on sunday, fair enough, we got you covered here. you probably don't have to go this sunday as well. >> it really is and you stop to think about the icons and the legitimate. it is a term that we throw around a lot. you start to think of the legitimate musical icons left. we don't have a lot. >> no, we don't. i am glad to see this as a buoyant, upbeat celebration of her life. they are dancing and singing and testifying. >> yes. >> as you said, they're taking us to church as it is sunday morning, we saw ed gordon and the crowd there. she deserves a church service because she comes very much from the church. she deserves an ecstatic celebration and linking the church with popular music with soul music and taking so

aretha was truly one of a kind.nes in the days and weeks to come. sincerely, barack obama, 44th president of the united states. [ cheers and applause ] >> please receive motown great -- >> if anybody can follow that, it's going to be smokey robinson coming up, and then we'll hear from bill clinton a little later. david maranis, you are in a unique position because you not only write about detroit. it's listen to smokey for a second. >> i looked and saw walkers and gray hair and no hair. and i kept looking at them and looking at smokey. and i said, i want what you're drinking. give smokey robinson a hand. he'll be followed by the clark sisters. [ applause ] >> i didn't know where you were going to go with that. i'm about 8 years old and i'm outside and playing with my neighborhood friends, phoebe and ollie, we're shooting marbles, it was at a time when kids were able to play outside, you know. so i don't even know if boys know what that is anymore. richard ross, another one of our friends, came round, and there was a

boy, did she capture aretha's voice. she said obviously aretha did it beautifully.eel ♪ so tired ♪ before the day i met you ♪ life was so unkind ♪ you are the key to my peace of mind ♪ ♪ you make me feel ♪ you make me feel ♪ you make me feel like a natural woman ♪ ♪ ♪ when my soul ♪ was lost and found ♪ came along to claim it ♪ oh, yes ♪ i didn't know just what was wrong with me ♪ ♪ your kiss helped me, baby ♪ now i'm no longer ♪ what i'm living ♪ if i make it happen ♪ i don't need ♪ you make me feel ♪ you make me feel >>> sponsored by -- ♪ ♪ ♪ let your perfect drive come together at the lincoln summer invitation sales event. get 0% apr on select 2018 lincoln models plus $1,000 bonus cash. when mit rocked our world.ailed we called usaa. and they greeted me as they always do. sergeant baker, how are you? they took care of everything a to z. having insurance is something everyone needs, but having usaa- now that's a privilege. >>> i love what i do and i just wouldn't be doing anything else. in fact, i thought what else would i have done if i had not been a singer, and

i would see aretha at kroger's.said, did you see aretha in the produce aisle? she said, she's always here. she was down the earth. she was unassuming. she was wonderful to work with. so many modern stars ask for photo approval. she would never do that. she trusted professionals to do their job. other young stars should be inspired by that. she was devoted to her family. i was able to photograph her when her son graduated from high school. she was so proud. he was going to michigan state. she hired the entire cheerleading squad to come to her house and celebrate with her and her son, because she was so excited that he was off to michigan state. so she would host fabulous private parties for her birthday. every year. she would host a huge party. her christmas parties were so special. so many celebrities would fly in just to celebrate with her for her birthday, for her christmas party. she wanted to keep it private. it was just her personal celebration. for those of us in detroit, she was like our elvis is to memphis.

aretha.y don't you weep. martha don't you moan, i believe mary went and dried her own eyes and martha went over and stopped moaning in the corner. she connected with the contrary with the created. there she was calling on the name of jesus. when aretha sang gospel something shifted, something happened in the atmosphere. and what i'm glad about is that i had an opportunity to know this woman, to know that she had this power to stand in between all these different genres and touch us in all these different ways. i am aggravateful to you. family my prayer i want to be brief because we have been here for a while. my prayer for you is that the grieve comes in waves you can make wore anythrough it i'm grateful to god that aretha walked the earth. i'm grateful to god we had the fortune to be on planet at the same time as aretha franklin. god bless you. thank you for asking me to be here. thank you for this moment. i love you all so much. take care. [ applause ] [ applause ] >> why don't we all stand

he gave the words to aretha. born somewhere between nashville and eternity we hear the voice from heaven, 14 years old. aretha was our queen. she belonged and belongs to us. she's blessed to have the powerful gift of singing. perhaps the most remarkable voice and unique the world has ever heard. an italian conductor said that a voice like that is heard once in a thousand years. aretha is in that zone of once in a thousand years. and she did not shy away from ave maria. from that point on, she only required that she be called aretha. she took music lessons and cultivated in the womb of one of the most soulful singers of our time. new bethel, sam cook, clara ward, mavis and pop staples. she came out of that womb. lou rawls, ira tucker and the dixie hummingbirds. alex brant, whitney houston's mother singing in the background. dina washington, the mighty clouds of joy. really came out of this womb. she had the gift but she had the environment that loaned itself to her development. she was baptized in singing, struggl

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who can sing like aretha? allegedly by the husband and father. >> sources say the girls' bodies were hidden inside oil and gas tanks owned by their father's former employer, but prosecutors believe they were all killed inside their home. clayton sandell has more. >> reporter: christopher watts who friends say wore the guise of devoted family man now wears a jail jumpsuit, accused of murdering his wife and two daughters. >> this is absolutely the worst possible outcome. >> reporter: watts being held in the deaths of celeste, bella and shanann. >> i'm watching my kids have fun. they're sitting there playing with daddy. >> reporter: the three reported missing on monday. on tv, chris begged them to come home. >> if you're out there, come back. >> reporter: admitting that he had words with his pregnant wife before she vanished. >> we had an emotional conversation, i'll leave it at that. >> reporter: police searched the residence, watts is arrested. two law enforcement sources say he confessed. amanda and nick thaye

they say they are saddened by the loss of aretha franklin and they have renamed an asteroid 249516 aretha had a power to her voice and it was the power of not only the talent and the physical, you know, power. but, it was also like, i put it, a supernatural power — that power that goes beyond, you know. it's something that god added to her. i think the song, try a little tenderness, even that song, though it may have been a sad song, it was from in here and you could feel it, even the words, the way she expressed them, was all of aretha. and what was the influence on disco, on the ‘70s and ‘805? she also managed in some way is to reinvent herself, too, at various times, didn't she? yes. i think it's because she had been gifted with something so special it didn't matter where she sang. it was all about the spirit on the music. more so than the kind of music. she could have sang mary had a little lamb and it would have been all of aretha but it is also all of the wonderful songs she has given us. she was a great writer of songs. she gave us so many beautiful songs that helped, you know, bri

aretha's in that zone of once ina years. aretha's in that zone of once in a thousand years.da tawfik in detroit. we just heard a little clip there reverend jesse jackson speaking. he also said registered to vote. it would dishonor aretha if americans did not. really that speaks of her passion for taking up causes. doesn't it? yes. we have heard that reflected here by a number of people. president clinton as well, paying tribute to that impact she had on american culture. the reverend al sharpton also sang. —— also think she was a feminist when it was not popular to be a feminist him as he was a civil rights activist when it was not popular. again speaking to the fact that she used her talent and her musical genius to champion causes and social justice. we have heard that from a number of people speaking. she was a close family friend of doctor martin luther king. she took the proceeds from some of her performances and actually donated to doctor came. and i think that is why we're seeing so much love there for the music legend because again, of her uplifting americans, especi

>> aretha grew up in a family -- first of all, everybody in aretha's family could sing.ople like sam cook and the jacksons, people like that performing at her father's church, you know? so she was influenced by a lot of people, man. and especially gospel singers. >> and at the time when you were kids and teenagers did you realize that detroit was the place that was going to change american music? >> no, man. if i'd known that i would have put a whole lot of money -- no, none of us knew that, man. the great thing about detroit for us and this wasn't necessarily true for a reason, because aretha was never a motown artist, but she was in that family. she was motown because she was in our family. but the great thing about detroit music-wise, man, if we were to get off an another subject here is that every city, every country, every township, every little village where ratio-wise in the world probably has that same amount of talent that you saw come out of detroit. what we had was barry gordy, man, someone who started something that was worldwide. >> please stay with us. dr.

aretha says, why?d now there are people waiting online and they're all asking if you'll sing this song called "natural woman." >> like they've just discovered -- >> so aretha says, i've been singing it for 50 years. i think it's the fifth song in the set, it's no big deal. and this woman goes, no, you have to sing it. and she goes, don't worry, i'll sing it. and she says, 50 years, i'm an overnight sensation. >> that's hysterical. of course, carole king, who wrote it, we saw her in the clip. you know, how could you give this beautiful song to aretha franklin. and hearing about her, growing up, moving to memphis, singing in her father's church choir at a young, young age. and we'll get into all the hits and everything else. but it seems like from everything i'm hearing, she was a gospel singer at heart. >> just listen to her music. and the piano, that's her playing the piano. and, you know, i heard someone on cnn earlier. and i said it before them, too. she was a musician. she was a real musician. she l

rajini: could listen to aretha franklin all day long. aretha franklin, who died today. day's other news. the islamic ate group in afghanistan said it carried out ulsuicide attack in kab on wednesday. teenagers died inside the classroom while they were preparing for university exams. men involvedid gun have been shot dead. pope francis is victims' side following a grand jury report which detailed -- says pope frans is on the victims' side following a grand jury report which detailed decades of sexual abuse by catholic priests in pennsylvania. they found at least 1000 children were molested and assaulted by so-called predator priests. the vatican says the church must learhard lessons from its past, and it promised to hold abusers to account. people have died and some of the moworst nsoon flooding the region is ever seen. armed forces have been deployed and rescue sted villagers provide relief for tens of thousands of people who active their home. 60thna's celebrated her birthday. the so-called queen of pop has reinvented herself over w her careith hits like "ke a yer"r" a

you are a friend of aretha franklin's. might as well call you a historian of aretha franklin as well. how was it to jump off david's point about her father, a man of the cloth, a man of the church, but he did have a willingness, if you will, to allow a very young aretha franklin to spring from music of spirituality, gospel music into jazz and r & b. can you add to that level of independence that perhaps aretha franklin was granted at a very early age to apply her amazing versatility of music and song? >> that shouldn't be underestimated. because many people know that there's this division, often times you will find gospel singers that will not sing, quote unquote the devil's music. the fact is that i think i heard barry gordie once say that aretha franklin could sing the abcs and it would be a hit record. >> joe madison, i apologize for interrupting. let me go back to the newsroom. >> i will take it from here. we are continuing to monitor what is happening inside the capitca capitol rotunda where guests are arriving to hon

aretha franklin was peerless.ift spirits, and so powerful it could and often did move those who heard her to tears. at the church where she first started singing, people who grew up in the same street as her have already started coming to pay tribute. i was born and raised in detroit, raised on her music. yeah, it's a sad day. i'm going to miss her, i'm going to miss seeing her in concert, but i still have her music to the bone, so i'm good. i'm good. # you make me feel # you make me feel # you make me feel #. # you make me feel #. #. she # you make me feel #. she had the best voice and when she sang you feel it in your soul, and she always sang something nice. i rememberasa kid she always sang something nice. i remember as a kid growing up back in the 505 and 605 and you hate for her to go. she feels like family. this is the very stage where i suppose aretha franklin started to become a star. in fact, aretha franklin started to become a star. infact, many aretha franklin started to become a star. in fact, many sa

he gave the words to aretha.er shall die. and land where we never shall die. and land where we never shall die. and land where we will never grow. it was a dark sunday night in south carolina, yet it was real dark, stars shine most barely. —— most clearly. that night a star was born. somewhere between nashville and eternity we heard a voice from heaven. 1a years old. aretha was our queen. she belonged and belongs to us. she was blessed to have the powerful gift of singing, perhaps the most remarkable voice and unique the world has ever heard. the italian conductor said of marian anderson that a voice like thatis marian anderson that a voice like that is heard once in a thousand yea rs. that is heard once in a thousand years. aretha's in that zone of once ina years. aretha's in that zone of once in a thousand years. and she did not shy away from ave maria. from that point on she only required to be called aretha. at school she took music lessons. cultivated in the womb of the most soulful singers of oui’ womb of t

they'd said aretha is on the phone. they came last wednesday, aretha was in a coma.re early. i said wake up, baby. wake up. she opened her eyes. i rubbed the wounds of her hand one more time. it was a hard good-bye. we came back that night and had another prayer meeting with her. her father's music playing in the background. shakespeare said when she said bye, took her happened to the starts and make the heavens so fine, all the world will be in love with the night. aretha had the power to make film directors cry. she touched all of us in a deep profound way. as she got sicker, we would talk more and more at night. she said are you coming? yes. went to four or five hospitals. she was fighting this cancer thing. to cap off singing and service, she went to new york knowing that she had pancreatic cancer. she was there in a bus to help aids victims. a signature moment in her life, all of us had our own situations. yet she was there. she asked me to give her our favorite testimony. when i was a kid growing up in south carolina, she was always talking about say never roll

all in celebration of aretha franklin.ng out her song saying this is for you, aretha. hello, everyone. i'm fredricka whitfield in detroit here, as we continue to watch this ceremony, just now getting under way. people on their feet, fired up, celebrating the life of the queen of soul. during this ceremony today, during this service today, it will be a star-powered celebration of life. only fitting for a queen. former president bill clinton we saw in the crowd earlier. hillary clinton along with him. ariana grande also, who will be singing during this tribute. you're looking at pictures right now live inside the greater grace temple church. family members, friends, and thousands of fans who were unexpectedly allowed into the private ceremony, are packed inside there. there were people who were standing outside as early as yesterday, lining up, hoping they'd get a chance to be inside. whoopi goldberg is also there. the list is long of amazing luminaries here to celebrate the impact of aretha franklin. in addition to the rema

people loved aretha. she's a special woman, so i just want to pass on my warm est best wishes and sympathy to her family. >> how do you think she would have felt being described as someone who worked for him? >> you know, just when you think you stared into the abyss of donald trump's narcissism and seen your way to the bottom, you realize there's a couple thousand feet below that. she worked for him, that's just offensive. >> you know what, he doesn't get it. >> no, i don't think -- >> i doesn't think that's offensive. i'm sure the people around him don't think it was offensive. i'm sure some of his supporters, but it is offensive. >> to him, you and i are awful people to even point it out. but you know, you're talking about american legend here who had great meaning to a great many people and to reduce her to she worked for me is incredibly offensive and classic donald trump. >> he thinks he's doing something nice by expressing his condolences, but there's a way to do things properly and to put an owner

aretha franklin was 76. god didn't give us the words to capture what her voice did to us and for us. but we have her music, and we're going to listen all through the show as her artistry and her political action are remembered by those who witnessed her magic. reverend jesse jackson was by her side during civil rights battles and for her final battle just yesterday. he joins us tonight. >>> plus she threatened to release more tapes and today omarosa did. we're going to play what she offers and see what it proves. and the president continues to try to distract from news he doesn't like by playing power games with security clearances. he just announced he's preparing to pull more. whose and why? what do you say? it's a special night. let's get after it. >>> too soon. we all know that. but it was always going to be too soon to lose aretha franklin. pancreatic cancer took a national treasure today. take a listen. ♪ you make me feel like a natural woman ♪ ♪ freedom, freedom ♪ freedom, freedom ♪ what you want, bab

you have the feeling aretha franklin was in charge of aretha franklin's life. of feminism. >> where do you think she got that from? >> a combination. i think president clinton laid that out, the idea she was born in the church and civil rights, gives you this combination of americanism and freedom. we are really supposed to be the land of the free and the home of the brave. she was very brave. she's very brave. again, this idea of her and senator mccain as true american heroes and patriots and she was literally an american, a great resource, you know, a treasure. and, he is a great american hero. so, these two lives let us look at who we are. and look at the best of who we are, even when we are complicated and we don't agree. there's certain things that strike us. >> i love listening, earlier, to her family members. her grand kids were up there. it was her niece who was -- it was her niece. >> it was her niece. >> i stopped everything i was doing and listened to her. this heartfelt thanks to everyone who bought, you know, her aunty's albums and knew the words t

king witnessed of aretha. he loved aretha, he loved her father, reverend c.l. franklin.upportive of him, and of the movement. i remember on occasion, coming out of jail in selma or other places in the south, and we would have quarter and we would get one of these machines that played songs of aretha franklin, like "respect." she will be deeply missed. i love aretha. >> you know, congressman, roland martin, sitting here with me, was just saying, and we've been talking to al sharpton, how she crossed every generation and every musical genre, she just was a universal force of nature. >> well, she had that ability. she started singing in her father's church as a young girl, and then learning to sing not just rock and roll and blues, country. she did it all. and she made us all feel good. she lifted our hearts and lifted our souls. if it hadn't been for aretha franklin and her music, as i've said on many occasions, the civil rights movement would have been like a bird without wings. >> well, congressman john lewis, thank you, at this moment, to call in, we really appreciate i

—— aretha franklin. the queen of the blues, are resat franklin! -- aretha franklin.story. aretha franklin didn't ask for respect, she commanded it. a lot of men are intimidated by you? a lot of men? some men. it depends on the man. i have always maintained that a real man is not going to be intimidated by me. some men can rise to the occasion and others cannot. her legacy, moments such as these, at the funeral of martin luther king. # 0ur king. # our country, it is of the... king. # our country, it is of the. .. and here at the inauguration of the first black american president. this is music that helped define pivotal moments in history and the emotional charge came from her childhood in the church listening to her father preaching. it served as a testing ground for me as a singer, as well as many other good things came from the church. #, you're no good, hard breaker, you're a liar... but there was another side to her. one of her producers described it as a mysterious sorrow. she lost her mother at the age of ten, and she had two children by the time she was 16. he

i know you met aretha a number of times. first of all, she was an icon. she was a legend. she was a humanitarian. we had the opportunity to perform with her at the tribeca film festival last year. we've all crossed paths with her. so we've always crossed paths with her, and of course my late brother maurice was a big fan of hers as well. >> she was of course a musician, a legendary voice, started performing when she was 10 years old in her father's gospel chapel. tell us about as a musician what was so special about her voice. >> you know, of course, she had the voice of the gods. coming from gospel music, which is the root and foundation of the african-american community, she stood tall, a great legacy out of detroit. and it won't be forgotten. the work they did, her father, c.l. franklin, and of course she comes from a great line of singers. clara ward and all those wonderful people. >> let me ask you this as well. beyond being such a legendary musician, she also provided voice to the civil rights movement, to the feminist

aretha franklin was 76 years old. in a statement the franklin family said we have lost the matriarch and rock of our family and we have a to know th legacy will live on. that legacy is a lot more than just music. aretha franklin was also a powerful voice for african americans in the 1960s and 70s as america struggled to embrace civil rights. some very influential bay area people really knew aretha franklin and talked to paul chambers about what she meant to the civil rights movement. >> the soul of the bay pays tribute to the queen of soul. >> reporter: after news broke that aretha franklin had died 10 noon -- one or 2.9 changed their format to honor the king of -- the queen of soul. >> my heart said one some will not do. one song an hour would not do. >> reporter: for 12 hours the station played hit songs of aretha franklin . the fans it seemed to love it. >> the phone calls are emotional. listeners are reminiscing over how aretha has impacted their lives. >> for us as black people she was symbolically the ultimate i

aretha was very competitive. she thought migh be close to it, she says, yeah, she's pretty good, but. >> but. >> but the person who introduced me to her was a friend of mine larry mckinley who was in radio in new 30 years orleans, and i went tole new s as his guest for the new orleans jazz festival, and aretha was there. he says, come on, let's go backage and so aretha. so we go backstage, and when she und out who i was, she says oh, you the guy that gets my he 411, right, magazine, and so from that day i followed her to mobile, alabama and then to pensacola, florida, my hometown where my mother prepared d,ner for th and then we went on to atlanta. my purpose was that i wanted to get her to fly s again that she wouldn't have to ride that bus. and last year july we with were supposed to take our first plane ride and then we were going to -- i was going to plan a european tour. >> as i understandne it, you or you know her caretaker quite well, and you knew that she was not well. we didn't know that she was this sic

so aretha franklin.tarted her unparalleled career by singing as a child in her father's church and those gospel roots really never left her and she inspired and mentored so many other gospel musicians. and that includes the famous clark sisters, detroit born. they're joining me right now. they are friends of aretha franklin's. you talk about how much she inspired you, jackie, karen, dorr writt dorinda and twinkie. tell me what this feels like to be a part of eulogizing, celebrating aretha franklin on part of this day. >> it's a big honor for us because she was a big sister to us so we are so proud of being able to be a part. she sang at our mother's home going so to be able to do this today is just -- it surpasses anything i could imagine to honor her this way today and she's going to truly be missed. she was an icon. when you called aretha franklin's name, everybody wanted to see where she was going to be and be there and be a part of whatever she was doing so to be a part of this today is amazing and a

aretha franklin, the queen of soul.t aretha franklin did have advanced pancreatic cancer, it is clear that she had been ill for many years but it was not something she wanted to talk about but she cancelled so many concerts because of ill health and she lost so much weight the people knew that something was wrong but when she did perform, right until the end, she absolutely gave her all and we heard from eltonjohn and he performed with aretha franklin and her last concert at the end of last year at age benefit concert. he said that he was moved to tears and that is what she did concert after concert because of the power in her voice and also in the way she conveyed emotion but it was more than just about the music industry. she had an impact. we talked about a lot in those terms in the way that she sang one be back and change the way people think that our inner voice and the diversity of the songs that she sang from gospel to jazz, the blues and pop, she had a bigger impact than that. barack 0bama talked about her makin

how it all began for aretha franklin.ifelong friend who knew her since she was 5, smokey robinson "g." live first tning o ♪ >>> we absolutely say good morning, america. great to have you with us on this friday morning. we are remembering, honoring, and celebrating the queen of soul. fans all around the world showing their appreciation. >> absolutely, and take a look at her star on the hollywood walk of fame surrounded by flowers there, and that's the iconic apollo theater in harlem. fans gathering together, singing, and dancing. >> and look at this. new yorkers renaming the franklin street subway station, aretha franklin station. i'm going to take the 1 train right down to aretha later today. that's my line. so many listening to her music over and over again overnight. in fact her songs taking the top five spots of itunes. we'll go down that list. >> we will, but we'll go to chris connelly starting us off from l.a. with all the tributes that are pouring in right now. good morning, chris. >> reporter: good morning, robin.

and worked with alleg endry artists like jimi hendrix, smokey robinson and aretha franklin. >> arethang for songs, a little frustrated because she wasn't getting the right material so my father happened to be walking by and he hey, i got a song for you. ♪ r-e-s-pt -c-t >>s the color in the voice. it was the w she knew how to improvise with the voice. it was the wailing on the high s notes that did. ♪ >> reporter: joyce garrett was the choir collector at eastern high school in d.c. f nearly 30 years. her students have played wanh for several celebrities and dignitaries. but aretha franklin was different. >> the first time i met aretha franklin was at a christmas in washington performance. >> reporter: that wasn the early '90s. ever sce then whenever franklin came to town, she would call garrett asking for her choir to join her on stage. >> she would say, this is aretha, and you would say oh, mm-hmm, and when i hung up, while i was talking i'd beis li s aretha franklin. >> reporter: it was unimaginable, but garrett's groups of kids was aretha franklin's choir o choice. it's an honor tha

and this evening, right here, aretha franklin in her own words. what that sorng, that word, respect, meant to her. ♪ r-e-s-p-e-c-t >>> also, the other news tonight, president trump under fire for taking aim at those who have been critical of him. revoking security clearance of a former cia director, who tonight says trump's talk of no collusion is, quote, hogwash. and late today, the man who oversaw the raid on osama bin laden, his message for president trump. >>> also tonight, the new audio released by omarosa. secretly recording a member of the trump family. you'll hear the offer of money for omarosa after she lost her job at the white house. >>> also breaking, just a short time ago, the jury deliberating in the paul manafort trial, with a request for the judge. what this could signal. >>> the pregnant mother and her two young daurters who disappeared, the husband who pleaded for their return. that husband now behind bars. and now, the discovery. what authorities have just revealed. >>> and the major storm system moving in tonight, set to hit on

god bless you, aretha. you. [ applause ] >> the one and only president, the president of the united states. president william jefferson clinton. at this time audrey dubois harris is going to bring us one of the hymns of the church. following that we are going to go to church with pastor shirley caesar and aretha franklin. >> you were just listening to former president bill clinton paying tribute to aretha franklin. you saw right there him even playing a little bit of "freedom" on his phone. he said a lot of things about aretha franklin. he said she decided to be the composer of her own life song. she lived with courage, not without fear, but overcoming her fears. she lived with faith, not without failure, but overcoming her failures. she lived power, not without weakness, but overcoming her weakness. it's been a day full of celebration fit for a queen. specifically, the queen of soul. joining me from detroit, nbc news correspondent ron mott. here in the newsroom founder and president of the britto agency, m

aretha franklin right there.mike dugan in the motor city. aretha franklin and her father meant so much to our city and deeply saddened that aretha has passed. few people in the history of our city has been as universally loved or left as indellable as aretha. how special she was. she was a performer without peers. throughout her extraordinary life and career she earned the love and yes the respect of millions of people. not just for herself and for women everywhere, but for the city she loved so dearly and called home. i was honored to present aretha with a key to our city last year at her last concert if detroit. while she may have passed, aretha franklin will always have the key to our heart. detroit mayor. good words. >> sandra: the long-reigning queen of soul dead at age 76. her publicist said she had pancreatic cancer. she was in her home in hospice care in detroit. 1942 she was born in memphis, tennessee. and that voice transformed the music industry and it was fascinating, bill, to hear one of her former b

aretha, she did it all.just received all of the beautiful accolades that she deserved. you know, you just -- she was just global and royalty, beyond royalty, you know, so aretha, i tell you, i'm just blessed and grateful to have known her. i still know her, you know. we met back in the '60s. i think i was 18, aretha was 15. and we sang at the forum. a gospel show was at the forum, and she came over to me and said i'm aretha. i said i know who you are. she had recorded this song "never grow old." and everyone was just enthused over her. she was a young girl, but she had it all then. >> wow. >> you know, she played the piano, she was just great on the piano and then as time moved on, she loved sam cook and she wanted to sing what sam was singing. and she went on -- >> she was still gospel really at the time and sam was singing more mainstream stuff. >> right, right. but she moved on and got on the same level with sam singing -- well, she started with some jazz. she would do things with king curtis and the soul

aretha franklin and words from closest friends and majestic rein as the queen of soul. if you have psoriasis, ... little things can be a big deal. that's why there's otezla. otezla is not a cream. it's a pill that treats moderate to severe plaque psoriasis differently. with otezla, 75% clearer skin is achievable. don't use if you're allergic to otezla . it may cause severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. otezla is associated with... ...an increased risk of depression. tell your doctor if you have  a history of depression or suicidal thoughts,... ...or if these feelings develop. some people taking otezla reported weight loss. your doctor should monitor your weight and may stop treatment. upper respiratory tract infection and headache may occur. tell your doctor about your medicines and if you're pregnant or planning to be. otezla. show more of you. chair, new laptop headphones, with free 24/7 tech support. yep, thanks guys. i think he might need some support. yes. start them off right. with t

aretha franklin, the queen of soul. david sillito there.e from new york, is david browne, from rolling stone magazine. welcome. there have been many great soul singers but what aretha franklin apart? as somebody mentioned, the amazing power of her voice. she had one of the most single voices and pop music. i think it brought the church into pop radio in that for a lot of us, it was the first time we heard gospel music in a way. gospel music syncing but an p0p a way. gospel music syncing but an pop songs. within incredible power and personality behind it. no matter what she was singing, whether it was gospel what she was singing, whether it was gospel, pop, her 86, what she was singing, whether it was gospel, pop, her86, disco songs, he a lwa ys gospel, pop, her86, disco songs, he always knew it was her. as soon as the voice came in. it didn't matter what the backing is. not many fingers could do what she did. was it what you would say the move to atla ntic it what you would say the move to atlantic records, 1966 and then respect in 1967 whi

and there will never be another aretha.ones that touched my heart the most. also, the gospel. you can't get away from that. that's our foundation. >> candi staton, bless you for coming on. much more on miss franklin here in a moment as fans pay respects from coast to coast. we also have some breaking news out of washington. lara trump, the president's daughter-in-law just responded to the newly released recording from fired white house aid omarosa. what the tape reveals about omarosa's claim that she was offered $15,000 a month to keep her secrets to herself about the president. fact is, every insurance company hopes you drive safely. but allstate actually helps you drive safely... with drivewise. it lets you know when you go too fast... ...and brake too hard. with feedback to help you drive safer. giving you the power to actually lower your cost. unfortunately, it can't do anything about that. now that you know the truth... are you in good hands? at crowne plaza, we know business travel isn't just business. there's this. a