Honoring Aretha Franklin, with Levi Stubbs

Aretha Louise Franklin (born March 25, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter and pianist commonly referred to as "The Queen of Soul". Although renowned for her soul recordings, Franklin is also adept at jazz, rock, blues, pop, R&B and Gospel music. In 2008, the American music magazine Rolling Stone ranked Franklin #1 on its list of The Greatest Singers of All Time.[1]
Franklin is one of the most honored artists by the Grammy Awards, with 18 Grammys to date, which include the Living Legend Grammy and the Lifetime Achievement Grammy. She has scored a total of 20 #1 singles on the Billboard R&B Singles Chart, one of which also became her first #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100: "Respect" (1967). "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (1987), a duet with George Michael, became her second #1 on the latter chart. Since 1961, Franklin has scored a total of 45 "Top 40" hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In 1987, Franklin became the first female artist to be entered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[2]
Franklin was the only featured singer at the 2009 Presidential inauguration ceremony for Barack Obama.
?On June 28, 1968 she became the first 'negro' woman to appear on the cover of Time magazine
?In 1985, then-Gov. James Blanchard of Michigan declared her voice ?a natural resource? during a ceremony that marked her 25 years in show business.
?Aretha Franklin is one of three musicians, along with Madonna & Marvin Gaye, to achieve each of the top 10 positions on the US Billboard Hot 100.
?On January 20, 1987, she became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
?On March 29, 1987, Franklin sang "America the Beautiful" at WrestleMania III.
?In 1987, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Musicology degree from the University of Detroit.[citation needed]
?In 1994 she became the youngest recipient of a Kennedy Center Honor.
?In September, 1999, she was awarded The National Medal of Arts by President Clinton.
?In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked her #9 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.[13] To give perspective to this honor, only the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, and Little Richard finished ahead of her on this list. Ray Charles finished at number ten, right behind Franklin.
?In 2008

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[ooarrlatvian]

My son is named after this amazing guy. God bless.

[punkieponky]

soo beautyfull....

[truediva18]

"I Believe"-that's not the full title-is one of the most beautiful songs from that time period. Whitney Houston recorded it for a movie, The Preacher's Wife. Correct me if I am wrong. But the original is TOPS in my book. Did you get it?

[jettyoeill]

FYI- Levi never turned his back on the 4 Tops, every cent he ever earned, many without the Tops, was split 4 ways. What a beautiful man, true honour.

[dahmit100]

Great singer, what a big loss

[missi625]

whats up with Levi and Aretha he looks like he is about to cry in the beginning when he first starts singing to her

[snowbunner]

Love, love, love this Man. I get goose bumps everytime I hear him sing.

[2012PIOTREK]

The Four Tops, The Temptations, The O'Jays, The Spinners!!!

[jjby100]

RLP Levi, you were the best

[THECONNIECOLE]

@jmusic45 It is important for us to know our history, huh?

[jmusic45]

When I hear this song on the radio, I never knew the Tops did it first, always thought it was an original song by Whitney Houston. Wow, I love their version. The words are touching.

[jnshot97]

this is great