Aretha Franklin - a Motown legend dies.

Aretha Franklin - a Motown legend dies.

With the recent death of Aretha Franklin Motown has lost one of its favourite daughters. The many tributes and kind words of wisdom have already flooded in but it's hard to believe that the queen of soul, Motown's most celebrated of mother earth figures and matriarchal of musical legends is no longer part of that thriving soul music industry.

This was that special place where the greats shook hands with the up and coming and the ones who are now rapidly blossoming can only dream of a glittering future. Sadly, the loss of Aretha Franklin has now deprived the world of one of the smoothest, gutsiest and rawest sounds ever heard in popular music. We are now left with only the memories of  a woman determined to make an unforgettable statement with her sugar sweet lyrics and boldly strident performances on stage.

Franklin was not so much a singer, more of a vociferous campaigner on behalf of women and their rightful position and role within society. It was a heartfelt cry for equality, unity and positive recognition at all levels in the public mainstream. Her voice was a powerful instrument for good, a rumbustious roar and stunning scream that reached previously untouched heights that some must now believe will never be touched again.

Born into the now traditional church gospel family background which has accompanied so many of the narratives and backdrops of so many of those twinkling Motown stars, Aretha Franklin was somehow destined  for fame and celebrity. Now though it seems as if somebody has taken a plug out of one of the speakers from which her powerhouse voice used to blast out into vast and feverishly responsive audiences.

Now though the prolific Motown factory is in a state of mourning and grief for one of the most dynamic of all female voices. But on a more general level what on earth for instance must be going through the minds of the likes of Roberta Flack, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwicke and all of those magnificent ladies who would command a stage, shaking Las Vegas to its foundations with the sheer vocal majesty and range of their songs and messages? For the black soul singing sisterhood the day Aretha Franklin left us was indeed a much poorer place.

During its most turbulent period of the 1960s, Franklin represented much more than a glorious soul singer with the voice of an angel. She broke down the rigid boundaries of racial discrimination and division that threatened to tear America apart. She added her considerable tonsils to the civil rights movement, and sung songs that clearly resonated with the poor, the misunderstood, oppressed and the permanently downtrodden. She came to the rescue of the underclass, standing up firmly and decisively for those who could never be heard.

But it was one song that would completely change the landscape and mood of 1960s soul music. When Franklin belted out 'Respect', it became not merely a sloganeering piece of feminist propaganda but a genuine song from both the deepest heart and soul. 'Respect' was released as a single and overnight shot into both the British and US charts. It would develop into one of those remarkable songs that would never leave your consciousness, your sensitive ear for a great song.

Even now 'Respect' remains one of those songs that will never be forgotten if only because it did what it said on the tin. Finally and emphatically, Franklin was there at the top of her form and respect was a vital necessity, almost a social imperative, essential to the way we lived our lives and the way we treated each other as fellow human beings.

But Aretha Franklin demanded much more than respect and global reverence from not only her adoring fans. She desperately wanted to be recognised as one of the most consistently successful soul singers of all time. 'Respect' was loud, forceful, repetitive perhaps but urgently impressive, a song delivered with confidence and unequivocal passion. a song of feeling and truth.

'Say a Little Prayer' was rightfully acclaimed as one of those religiously uplifting songs that gave America a sense of re-assurance that no harm would ever come its way. It was the song frequently requested in every bar, club and juke box by all of those who must have privately felt that Vietnam would never end and America would always be embroiled in a war that had to be ended at all costs.

And then there was 'Feel Like a Natural Woman', another song with the most personal and emotional nuance, a song that must have felt like a yearning for playtime on more and more of the millions of American radio stations that always seemed to be increasing during the 1960s. This was not merely another a black singer making her presence felt among the whole music community but a woman with a lust and zest for life, a woman who grabbed hold of a microphone, utterly convinced that the song she was singing was a serious announcement, a cautionary warning and not to be dismissed as some candy floss piece of pop.

Over a week has passed since Aretha Franklin died and the repercussions can be felt by all of today's contemporary singers. It is hard to imagine that any will ever equal the intensity and reach of Franklin's rip roaringly raucous voice, a voice that was punched out with both weight, influence and gravitas. It was music that will continue to be heard every Sunday morning at every gospel gathering. The lady pleaded respect and she certainly got respect. The Queen of Soul may have been dethroned but the words will never be allowed to drift away. Motown and the rest of the world will always miss you.