Aretha "so damn happy" to return to Los Angeles
Aretha Franklin is coming to Los Angeles via a "Freeway of Love". The Queen of Soul has not appeared in concert in the City of Angels for 21 years. "I haven't been gone," Franklin, 62, says with a laugh. "I just haven't come out. L.A. is not just around the corner if you're driving."
On Sept. 17-18, she will headline the newly renovated Greek Theater and then head to Las Vegas, where she will play the House of Blues on Sept. 24-25. Franklin, who is based in Detroit, says she has not been on a plane since 1983. But since she has to travel to Albuquerque, N.M., on business, and the drive from there to Los Angeles is a bit less severe than the one from Detroit, she says it's worth it.
Franklin says she plans on hitting all her Los Angeles culinary hot spots, including Fatburger, Pink's and Tommy's Burgers; and, of course, she'll be shopping in Beverly Hills and Westwood Village. "I can't wait; I'll be all over the place," she says.
Audiences can expect a rousing performance from Franklin, who says she will sing "all the hits" as well as some tracks from her latest album, last year's "So Damn Happy". "I'm going to do some special things that I put together and some wonderful surprises," Franklin says.
A performer since her childhood days in the New Bethel Baptist Church of her gospel star father, the Rev. C.L. Franklin, Franklin says her live audiences have just gotten "more enthusiastic" over the years. Franklin still packs houses. Her June 25 show at B.B. King's Blues Club in New York sold out and grossed more than $145,000 according to Billboard BoxScore.
As soon as her concert stints are done, Franklin will head back into the recording studio. She and Clive Davis, chairman of BMG North America, are teaming again for her new album. "Clive and I are working on a duets (album)," she says. "I'm also going to do three or four new cuts for that." So far, she plans to sing with Mariah Carey and Gloria Estefan, among others.
Of today's music, Franklin says, "I like what I hear now. I'm very happy with it, and I think it's alive and well. I love OutKast. I think they are just wild, I love them. I love the beat."
Two of her sons also are in the business - Teddy White has played guitar with her for 15 years, now has his own band and has been opening for her on various dates. Additionally, Kecalf Franklin, who Franklin says is into hip-hop, is looking for a record deal. "It's nice to have your kids in the business with you," Franklin says. "I really love working with my sons." (Reuters/Hollywood Reporter)
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