Aretha Franklin the “queen of Soul” has announced plans to retire. But before she calls it a day the 74 year old singer will release one more album of new music, collaborating with none other than another icon Stevie Wonder. Reports from the US say Franklin mentioned her intention to the TV channel Local 4, [...]

The Sunday Times Sri Lanka

Aretha Franklin to release one more album before retiring

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Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin the “queen of Soul” has announced plans to retire. But before she calls it a day the 74 year old singer will release one more album of new music, collaborating with none other than another icon Stevie Wonder. Reports from the US say Franklin mentioned her intention to the TV channel Local 4, that this year she will give her last concert and release her last album expected in September.

Aretha Franklin began her career back in 1956 and to this date has released 41 albums, 6 live albums, 45 compilation albums and 131 singles. ‘Respect’ was her first No: 1 song in the US back in 1967 and ‘I Know You Were Waiting’ a duet with the late George Michael was her only UK No:1 song in 1987. But she has been more than a hit maker. Her music stirs and captivates. She brought then US president Barack Obama to tears when she sang ‘(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman’ at the Kennedy Centre Honours in 2015. The 18 Grammy Award winning singer has performed at the inauguration of three US presidents – Jimmy Carter in 1977, Bill Clinton in 1993 and Barack Obama in 2009. Some of her famous songs have been ‘Say A Little Prayer’, ‘Spanish Harlem’, ’Freeway Of Love’ and ‘Who’s Zoomin’ Who?’.

The battle between pop singer Kesha and her former producer Dr. Luke has taken a new turn. In the latest twist Dr. Luke claims Kesha owes him $1.3 million in royalties from touring income and merchandise sales. Dr. Luke filed the latest claim in court after Kesha recently said Luke was trying to leave her penniless by stopping the release of new music and withholding royalties.

Adam Levine of Maroon 5 became the latest music celebrity to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Levine unveiled his own Star in Los Angeles on February 10.

Al Jarreauthe jazz singer who became a crossover star in the 80’s died aged 76 on February 12 in hospital in Los Angeles. The Grammy Award winning artist also sang on the 1985 charity single ‘We Are The World’.

Kesha Chelsea

With Ed Sheeran holding the No:1 and 2 spots on the UK singles chart through the songs ‘Shape Of You’ and ‘Castle On The Hill’ for a fifth consecutive week, the only song to debut on the top 10 is ‘Big For Your Boots’ by rapper Stormzy. The song is the grime/hip hop artist’s second UK top 10 hit after ‘Shut Up’ which peaked at the No: 8 in 2015. ‘Big For Your Boots’ is taken from Stormzy’s debut album ‘Gang, Signs & Prayer’ due out on 24th February.

The duet by Zayn and Taylor Swift ‘I Don’t Want To Live Forever’ reached the UK top 10 from 13 to No: 9. The song is taken from the soundtrack of the film Fifty Shades Darker.  The song came out nine weeks ago as it debuted on the chart at No: 16. But with no video it lost ground gradually sliding down. The duet began an upward journey again thanks the subsequent video and the film release.

 

UK TOP 10

TW LW

1 1 Shape Of You – Ed Sheeran
2 2 Castle On The Hill – Ed Sheeran
3 3 You Don’t Know Me –
Jax Jones & Raye
4 4 Touch – Little Mix
5 7 Human – Rag ‘N’ Bone Man
6 5 Paris – Chiansmokers
7 6 Call On Me – Starley
8 – Big For Your Boots – Stormzy
9 13 I Don’t Want To Live Forever (from: Fifty Shades Darker) –
Zayn & Taylor Swift
10 11 Be The One – Dua Lipa

 

 

 

Ed Sheeran

 

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