Today we observe the King of Pop’s 60thbirthday. I memorialized his transition in a blog post July 1, 2009. He died June 25, 2009, after having taken several drugs prescribed and/or administered by his personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray. In the 12 months after his death, Jackson sold more than 8.2 million albums in the United States and 35 million albums worldwide, making him the best-selling albums artist of 2009. Even in death, he was still the King.
Twenty days ago, we observed Whitney Houston’s 55thbirthday. I memorialized her transition in a blog post February 15, 2012. She died February 11, 2012, having drowned in a bathtub. The Los Angeles Coroner’s Office reported that an autopsy of Ms. Houston’s body also showed the "effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use" contributed to her death.
This Friday, Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul, will be funeralized in Detroit, Michigan, her hometown. Ms. Franklin died August 16, 2018 due to Pancreatic Cancer. She was 76 years old. Today is the second of two days that she will lie in state at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in the Motor City. Friday’s funeral will take place at Greater Grace Temple, also in Detroit.
Various reports note that long lines have been queued up for an opportunity to view the legendary singer's remains. Unlike Mr. Jackson or Ms. Houston, Ms. Franklin was exceeded the Biblical standard of three score years and ten. She was not only blessed with a modicum of longevity; she also enjoyed a musical career that spanned over six decades. Her successful musical portfolio includes numerous awards and nominations. Below a number of her awards are listed:
· Won18 Grammy Awards
· Won 3 Grammy Special Awards (Legend Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, MusiCares Person of the Year)
· Won 3 American Music Awards
· Won 3 NAACP Image Awards
· 1987 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (First Female Inductee)
· 1994 Kennedy Center Honors
· 1999 National Arts Medal
· 2005 Presidential Freedom Medal
· 2005 UK Music Hall of Fame Inductee
· 2012 GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame Inductee
· 2015 Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame Inductee
· 2018 YouGov US Poll – Voted The Most Popular Female Artist in America
I could go on, of course, but instead of writing more about the Queen of Soul, I will instead leave you with a compendium of her very best work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6dQ2Qi0r78. The Queen Is Dead: Long Live The Queen’s Music!
I’m done; holla back!
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