How sadly ironic that yesterday of all days, as we discussed the anniversary (or not) of the death of Elvis Presley, that date should also claim the life of another Memphian, the incomparable Aretha Franklin.

How does one even begin to discuss her legacy?  How can one even understand the measure of the impact that she had on the world?  It’s not easy.  There is no way, for example, that average joes like you and me could get inside her head and know the feeling of having such a massive impact upon the world.  And it was enormous.

In terms of chart success, one could argue that there was, certainly in the 1960s, a disparity between the races in terms of chart success: Ms. Franklin had 20 US Number One hits, but they were all on the R&B chart, not on the mainstream pop chart.  Elvis, although part Cherokee considered a “white” artist, had 18 mainstream Number One hits during his lifetime (Elvis’ “lifetime,” for the purposes of chart accreditation, continued on through the final release that Presley knew about during the planning stages, ‘Unchained Melody’ in February 1978).  Ms. Franklin never topped the pop charts as a solo artist.

It took her until 1987 before she could top the pop charts, a duet with George Michael ‘I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)’.  In those 21 years since her first hit, had she broken down racial barriers sufficiently to give her that chart-topping success?  Or was it simply down to the fact that she ‘crossed over’ by enlisting the help of George Michael to gain that elusive chart-topper?

In truth, that debate doesn’t really matter to me, these things are for journalists with nothing better to write.  For me, she was a great, great artist like few others that have ever walked this Earth.  A singer whose voice was instantly recognisable, whose artistry manifested itself in every note that she sang; indeed, her voice was truly an instrument, her mind a truly musical one.

Great performers are always several steps ahead in their minds to the notes that you are hearing from them.  Aretha Franklin was such a performer, and she knew it.  You will be hard pressed to think of many in her league; Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby – let’s face it, she was up there with the all-time greats.  In terms of the entire history of recorded music, from 1900 on, Aretha Franklin would most likely make the top five.  What a voice that was silenced yesterday – coincidentally, as I said, on the anniversary of the death of another all-time great, Elvis Presley.  At least, when she reaches the great recording studio in the sky, they will have something to talk about. x