The big Aretha Franklin tribute show for TV is happening on January 13th– same night as the Critics Choice Awards, in Los Angeles.
There’s an all-star list of performers: Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Alessia Cara, Kelly Clarkson, Common, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Patti LaBelle, and BeBe Winans. A slew of younger artists nominated for the 61st GRAMMY Awards — coming soon on Feb. 10, 2019 — including Brandi Carlile, Chloe X Halle, H.E.R., Janelle Monáe, and SZA, will also perform. Tyler Perry will host.
I’d like to see Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson join that crowd. R&B great Sam Moore was also one of Aretha’s oldest friends. Aretha won a Grammy for performing Sam & Dave’s “Hold On I’m Coming.” Moore is receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys this year.
Clive Davis is co-producing with the Grammys and CEO Neil Portnow. Originally Clive had promised Aretha a big show at Madison Square Garden on this past November 14th, but her untimely death and scheduling made that difficult.
This show will tape on January 13th and air on CBS–maybe March 25th for Aretha’s birthday. Hello, Jack Sussman at CBS. That would be nice.
I do miss Aretha as we come into the end of the year. On New Year’s Day 2016 I went with her to Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut for a sold-out to the rafters show following her famous appearance on the Kennedy Center Honors.
