NPR

'Black People Will Be Free': How Aretha Lived The Promise Of Detroit

Black Power, black leadership and the black church all converged in the city of Aretha Franklin's youth. Once she had the means, she resolved to bring Detroit's potential with her.
Aretha Franklin performs in Antibes, France in 1970.

Aretha Franklin was so Detroit. Bring her pocketbook onstage at Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center and swing her fur coat behind her as she sits at the baby grand, Detroit. Pay Aretha in cash, Detroit. Stash that cash in her bra, Detroit. Unapologetic and black, Detroit. Lived in and represented Detroit till the day she died, Detroit.

There is a recording of a 14-year-old Franklin singing Thomas A. Dorsey's "Take My Hand, Precious Lord." Even at that age, Franklin was confident enough to make that gospel classic her

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