My impression of Aretha Franklin (by which I mean my thoughts about her, not an actual impression I do… though that would be cool) was always that she’s a washed-up has-been who is trotted on stage at the Grammys to lend weak backup vocals to some up-and-comer. I know, that’s a very harsh assessment, and I admit it’s a completely ignorant one.

That’s because for the longest time I had no concept of what Aretha Franklin meant, and accomplished, when she was at her peak. Sure, I had heard ‘Respect,’ but that was pretty much it.

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