10 Questions, with Aretha Franklin
In 2010, TIME asked the Queen of Soul’s fans to submit questions. We sat down in Detroit, and Ms. Franklin graciously answered the vetted questions—and more.
By Steven Gray
TIME: How has not flying hindered your career?
Ms. Franklin: It has not hindered my career at all. Miss Franklin can get around. I have been everywhere, believe me, on this bus--everywhere except across the ocean. And if it were an amphibious bus, I might do that. When I was flying, I never saw the U.S. and what it really looked like. I saw the back of the concert hall, the hotel and the airport. Now I really see America. The last time I flew was in '82. I had such a bad flight. A two-engine plane. The flight was dipsy-doodling up and down all the way home. I said, "Oh, my God, when I get to Detroit, that's it. That is it." And I have not flown since. But I intend to. It's been a long time.
TIME: What has kept you in the Detroit area for so long?
Ms. Franklin: I was brought up in Detroit, and most of my family's here. I like the mentality. It's a very supportive city. Detroiters will come all out if they really feel like what you are standing behind has merit.
TIME: Why have you decided not to be on a major label?
Ms. Franklin: Well, let's see: '62, '72, '82, '92, 2002. That's 42 years of recording for other people. I thought, At this point, it's time for you to record for yourself. That way there wouldn't be so many spoons in the soup. There would just be one Aretha spoon. I'll take responsibility for all of it--choosing the producer, the musicians, the singers, where I will record, what time and so on.
TIME: What is the best way to bring back residents to Detroit?
Ms. Franklin: Create more jobs and bring developers back who will invest in the city. But particularly the jobs. A lot of people have left Detroit to seek employment. They just can't find it here. These are people who love Detroit, and it has to be pretty bad for them to leave.
TIME: How do you feel about artists covering your songs?
Ms. Franklin: Oh, fine. That really is the most sincere form of flattery. It really is--in most instances.
TIME: You once performed "Nessun Dorma" when you filled in for Pavarotti at the Grammys. Do you plan on doing more opera?
Ms. Franklin: I do. I have an aria album that's coming up on Aretha's Records. I'm working on one right now. And I'm also going to sing a little Mozart. I love Puccini, but I'm going to do a little Mozart on this dual offering that Condoleezza Rice and I will be doing over the summer for our favorite charities. It's a bipartisan effort.
TIME: I have heard some of your father Rev. C.L. Franklin's powerful sermons. How was it growing up in such a spiritual setting?
Ms. Franklin: I can't say it was much like the average person's, my father being who he was, but it certainly provided a foundation and a guiding light for us. There was always really good gospel playing. No matter where you went in the house, there was always music. My father was also studying to be a theologian, and he had classes from time to time in the home. Other ministers would come in, and so we had to tone it down. That's what was going on in the house: the Word and a lot of music.
TIME: You're known for some of the world's most famous songs. What's your favorite?
Ms. Franklin: I have a lot of favorites. "Nessun Dorma," of course. "Respect." A lot of Curtis Mayfield's songs from Sparkle. But I don't have any one favorite.
TIME: So what does respect mean to you?
Ms. Franklin: What does it mean to me? I heard it nicely phrased earlier today. You want to give people dignity and respect, and you want to receive it too.
TIME: How would you like to be remembered?
Ms. Franklin: I don't even think about anything like that. I just don't. I plan to be around. Never mind being remembered.
