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Aretha Franklin Planning Lavish 69th Birthday Bash

Posted Mar 25th 2011 12:30PM by Latifah Muhammad
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Joe Kohen, WireImage

After recovering from a mystery illness late last year, Aretha Franklin is ready to kick her heels up and have a good time for her birthday.

According to reports, the Queen of Soul is planning an ultra exclusive bash celebrating her 69th birthday. Franklin is said to be having the party at an undisclosed luxury hotel today (March 25), with special guests and performances. Her publicist, Tracy Jordan, revealed that prior to the party, Franklin will also catch the Broadway play 'Driving Miss Daisy,' which stars James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave.

Although it was recently reported that Franklin was suffering from pancreatic cancer, the legendary singer never confirmed having the illness, despite having surgery in December. Earlier this year, Franklin remerged appearing noticeably thinner, but denied reports that she had gastric bypass surgery.

"It definitely was not the bariatric or, what is it, gastric by -- Yeah, I can't even tell you the correct name of it," she told Access Hollywood "It's really not necessary to talk about one's personal medical [health]."

The former Motown songstress later told Wendy Williams that her weight loss was due to a change in diet.

Now appearing to be in good health, Franklin is ready to get back to work. Her forthcoming album 'Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love,' is scheduled for release May 3, while she will head out on tour later in the month.

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Filed under: Soul/R&B, R&B News
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Gregory

Happy 69 years young to the Queen of Soul. May you and yours enjoy this special day and many thanks to you for the enjoyment your talent brings to us all.

March 26 2011 at 4:55 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

HIS MAJESTY KING

Please all media news press outlets. Before you write a story, put it to bed, and release it to the public as an article? Do your reasearch! Get it right the first time, and there will be no need for detractions later. Is it just me? The field of journalism has become extremely unprofessional, and lax in their professionalism, and approach in reporting all news period! From television news anchor personalities, to news commentators, to the printed press. Has everyone whom is salaried gone illiterate with regard to collecting facts, and correct, and appropiate information for the stories they report? It really saddens me that in the age of modern technology, and the ever excessive demand for news quick, and fast that what's eliminated are the facts pure, plain, and simple. All just to be the first to report something. Never mind the accuracy of that which you report huh? How irresponsible! Give the public what they want which is respectfully ..... just the facts!

March 26 2011 at 3:21 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Kev

Aretha was never signed to Motown! At least do some research before you write an article. It's pretty easy to do so that you don't make a mistake like "Motown songstress".

March 26 2011 at 1:07 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Ed Baggett

Lavish party might be your last

March 26 2011 at 1:00 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Michael SW

Just to add to what I pointed out regarding Aretha Franklin's recording anthology, I came to logically figure out that perhaps the writer/reporter got Aretha's recording history confused with that of GLADYS KNIGHT, another legendary R&B female vocalist. Gladys recorded on many labels and her first label was Motown from the late 60's to early 70's beforelater recording on Buddha, Columbia, and MCA. Aretha on the other hand has only been with two record labels--Atlantic & Arista. Hope that clears things up.

March 26 2011 at 12:02 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Michael SW

Happy Birthday to the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin. I'll never forget and will forever be thankful for her beautiful 1980 ballad UNITED TOGETHER which was one of two wedding dance selections for my wife & myself at our wedding nearly 11 years ago.

I must note an error in this reporting and subsequently make a correction to it. The reporter calls Aretha "the former Motown Songstress". As Yeaghead1 pointed out, Aretha was never with Motown Records. She was always with Atlantic Records until 1980 when she switched over to Arista Records and has been with Arista ever since. The song I just mentioned--UNITED TOGETHER--was her first hit on the Arista label.

Again Happy Birthday Aretha with much love and much R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!

March 25 2011 at 11:56 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Howdy Di

my daughter once learned her spelling words from Aretha... RESPECTFUL...
R-E-S-P-E-C-T...ful
she had to sing it, but got it right!
Happy Day Aretha...

March 25 2011 at 11:09 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

LINDA

Happy Birthday to the QUEEN of SOUL! Your music has been part of the soundtrack of my life. I still play "The House That Jack Built" at least once a week... "Jump To It" is a staple at our family parties... I play "Rock Steady" to energize me while cleaning my house... "Day Dreaming" is an amazingly romantic song that makes me have to stop and listen to the lyrics whenever I hear it... My mom played "Respect" so much until she wore out multiple record player needles on it (remember those? lol) and "Amazing Grace" was her favorite song of all time... "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "how I got Over" still sooth my soul when my spirit is low...

Your music and strength has been a sustaining blessing to many of us. I look forward to your new album. Thank you for the comfort your music has given me and people around the world!

March 25 2011 at 10:45 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

gposner29

Frankly Scarlett...I don't give a dam n...

March 25 2011 at 10:26 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

gposner29

I'd love to see her wrestle Kirstie Alley....

March 25 2011 at 10:23 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

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