Unknown Writer Don is a cool young man. He's who I'd love to have as a sing. His interviews are so captivating. He's a smart guy. Love you Don. Correction: as a son.
starship trooper but isn't that the point of it all, why get another one like her when we've had the original Aretha. That's what makes her special one of a kind!
Aretha's performance of "Natural Woman" at Carol King's Kennedy Award ceremony was perhaps the greatest vocal performance I've ever witnessed. It sent chills up spine. I got up off the couch and start pumping my fist in the air while I jumped up and down.
Baci302 I totally agree I saw that amazing performance too. 100 years from now people will still know her music.not one singer of this generation I can say that about.I'm so glad I grew up in the sixties.
Ramal Nottah you are absolutely right can you imagine being called dumb over a question you ask that’s part of your job. Then well looks like it was his friend a good friend passed away. He very strong and intelligent.
Very true! The Clark Sisters, Commissioned, The Entire Winans Family, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and many more that I’m forgetting!!! I grew up around all of them, because of my mother having been a photographer in the mist of it! I imagine you’ve been asked a million times... Are you related to Aretha?
Loved Aretha Franklin wonderful Music, and watched Carol Kings reaction to Aretha singing You make me feel like a natural woman, was out of this world.... Rip Aretha xxx
Carole King is a national treasure. She and Gerry Goffin wrote so many songs for so many artists, I'm still amazed when I find out, "They wrote that?" From The Drifters to Whitney Houston, the list is seemingly endless...
I have listened to and loved Aretha Franklin all of my life. I thank Her for all the music and the love she has given to others. I will always love you deeply and I thank God, that I was blessed to be on this earth at the same time you were. There is an African proverb that states - A person does not die until they are forgotten, you will never be forgotten. Rest in eternal peace, in God's Village. Diana L. Jefferson/ Jamaica,N.Y.
Thank you Don Lemon for sharing your grief and your love for Aretha Franklin. I was genuinely moved by this segment when it aired last night and again watching it now. To be able to say she was my friend. Wow! Special. Very special. That was the first time I heard Aretha's version of the great Sam Cook song.
I can tell that Don Lemon was crying and I don't blame him. I'm a little misty eyed myself. Aretha Franklin was a music icon and now she's gone y'all, but her music will be forever eternal. RIP Ms. Aretha and thank you for your gift to the world.
I had a girlfriend who had a very similar tone of voice to Aretha so every Aretha song reminded me of her and she also loved Aretha's music. Though we went our separate ways in our lives I always loved this woman deeply. Aretha's music was there when this girl said goodbye to me leaving for the military (Call Me) and Aretha's music was there the first time we made love (Natural Woman). When my love was in a nursing home, I brought Percy Sledge and Al Green and Aretha songs to her bedside to make her smile. And when she passed and her family chose me to place her ashes in the ground....It was Angel playing in the background. I held it together for the funeral but I cried for days after (with Angel on repeat), and for days again when Aretha passed. I think I loved Aretha almost as much as my lady.
I feel ya, Don. Her music has been in my life since I was a baby. My mom loved her music and always played it around the house and in the car. I grew up with Aretha. Rest In Heavenly Peace! 💔
We grew up listening to Aretha Franklin dancing and singing u hear her voice u didn't have to ask who is that her voice was one of a kind i will deeply miss her she was no she is family to me rest in peace Angel 😇
These singers of today need a page r 2 from Mrs. Franklin on how to b a real lady i listen to the oldies on my Pandora everyday these song never go out of style and they did it with Respect & class something this young generation don't have a clue about just whatever comes out of there mouth
Her voice took us to places otherwise unreachable. Across boundaries of race, religion, or place of origin. If you ever experienced pain, love, hardship or sacrifice, her voice rang like a bell. Bringing us into her Church of soul. She will be forever remembered and always missed.😢
Don, you should be proud of yourself. Your interviews with ALL of Aretha's peers and friends have been classy, thoughtful and respectful. Nice job brother!
LiS Wright Yea I agree with you on that one because I'm sure the public would have been more shocked if we just found out so suddenly.I'm glad that just before Aretha died that she got a taste of how much she was loved,respected,and saluted by her fans and colleague's in the industry.
Politically Incorrect then why come and watch boring videos, why watch a media outlet that you don't like. Why are you wasting you time and energy on something you have absolutely no interest in. You're going to get the same result everyone and know what that's called, insanity.
Politically Incorrect at least you no your place, the question is why is that your place. When you can honestly answer that you're be ok. Search it out.
In 1967 I was 14 she and her sister's the Sweet Inspiration's are all I listened to Respect hit no. 1 on bandstand I love her so much there was no Soul train back then. I've been crying everyday I will miss . Thank you Don't thank you so much
The 1960s especially was a time that highlighted so many great musical artists from the Detroit "Motown" area. Remember playing all their songs on the jukeboxes and Aretha's songs were always the first to be selected. RIP sweet lady and thank you so much for such happy memories in my younger years.
This is the best interview I've heard. Dear friends of Aretha sharing with us. Smokey almost brought me to tears. Yes she is and forever shall be The greatest singer of all time. Our Queen of Soul, the Queen of Soul your music will live on. My prayers are with her family and friends.
Awesome and Outstanding interview. Thank You CNN. one love Aretha. us true blues brothers will keep it safe for you babe. Love and Aloha. May you Rest now in Eternal Peace. Mar 25, 1942 - Aug 16, 2018. :'(
Celebrate her sweetie im in tears with you it will never be a Momma Queen Aretha...She is singing in heaven..we will all meet again.. Momma Queen take care of my mother she died of throat cancer Sept. 7th 2017 last year 2017 my best friend..keep each other company..
Aretha is part of the soundtrack of our nation's history. I hope she knew how much her music meant to so many people. Don Lemon's reaction reflects how a lot of us are feeling. Wonderful to see Miss Gladys and Smokey. Their music broke barriers, too. The CD I made to listen to in my car has songs from all three, as well as The Four Tops, The Temptations,The Supremes, J5, Honey Cone, and more. I must look funny - an old white lady singing along with the Queen of Soul, alone in my car, but I can't help it. I love their music and always will.
+AC. I’m with you! Back in the day in the ‘60's, before I could afford a car with an FM radio or a 4-track tape deck, this white boy would roll with KDAY & KGFJ in LA, and The Mighty XERB “Blasting Southern California with a 100,000 watt Blanket Of Soul” from Tijuana. Most of the white-targeted stations concentrated on bubble-gum pop & lame English dance hall crap. The Motown cross-over shift was just peeking over the horizon. But these R&B stations were my salvation, because the only jazz was on FM. The Mighty X and their all-night guy The Wolfman Jack, were a particular, clear-channel treasure. Aretha, and Gladys, and Smokey, and Wilson, and all of them, blasting “on the stratospheric skip” all the way to my Canadian country cousin, Gary. He has a sharp ear and memorized all of this, so he could sound remarkably hip singing the next day from his tractor seat while out mowing the hay. Gary is, in the words of the Annie Green Springs pop wine jingle of that day, “so country, he got suspenders on his suspenders”. Gritty & gitdown. Was that Martha & The Vandellas singing about her country dude?
The Queen of Soul was iconic and irreplaceable! Her heavenly talents described our most intimate life matters. She was a real caring, charitable, loving woman, sister. May she rest in peace. We have her gift of talents that enables us to continue to enjoy and celebrate what life is what life brings. Thank you Don Lemon for your Honest Reports, mind and heart. peace, love, good courage...
the queen of soul will never be forgotten we loved all of her recordings and yes thank you all so much for sharing this time and Gladys Knight you look great thank you for sharing this great story with us rest in peace Aretha God needed you on the Heavenly Choir
May God bring you comfort during your time of grieving Don and also to all the family, friends, and different lives that Aretha Franklin touched during her lifeltime. May she rest in peace.
I would have loved to live in that neighborhood! Imagine when the parents got together and all the kids were around for a play date and putting in talent shows for the moms and dads 😎💕🙌🏽
I had never heard Aretha Franklin sing, "You send me."She sounds incredible and then Don breaks down into tears Don had me in tears (-: I'm still in tears now. Aretha will be greatly missed just like Whitney!!!
Look to the rainbow was one of my favorite Aretha Franklin songs. Oh....how heavy my heart just felt again thinking about this tremendous lost. R.I.P. Ms. Franklin. She will live on through her music.
@Sir Alfred Lawrence I used to think so but he has changed because he holds people accountable and stands up to people on his show trying to defend the president. He's not afraid to call him a racist. Paris Dennard is definitely an uncle Tom!
I just happened to see this interview and was really caught off guard with the touching response to the loss of a great icon in Aretha Franklin. God Bless her in her journey to Glory. Also, Thanks Don for your Being you💙
It's nice to see a news reporter being real and showing his emotions because so many news reporters show no emotions to things that I would break down seeing or having to report. Aretha will never be forgotten even to children today because her music will always play in homes and in public specially her song RESPECT!! RIP Aretha God has you in his arm now and your sickness is gone.
Wow ! Don thank u for blessing us one more time with great memories of the Queen of Soul.This was a beautiful tribute to her and I'm glad u were blessed to know this remarkable Woman.
Thank you for sharing your story with us about a Legend and Queen! I grew up listening to her music, she had an amazing talent and we will always remember her through her songs. It's refreshing to see that a man like you isn't afraid to show your emotions about something and someone you care so deeply about. She will no longer be in pain, may she rest in peace.
Bless you Aretha! Bless you Gladys! Bless you Smokey! Bless you Don for this tribute, you made this so special, got me crying too. A true gift to America, and the world. Amen
Aretha was a favorite singer of my mother who has been deceased for 11 years she loved Aretha so much she give my baby sister who's 54 now, Aretha as her middle name. Aretha Franklin's music played on our home all the time as i grew up and even still today.
CNN THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR VIDEO OF MEMORIES OF ARETHA. SHE WILL ALWAYS BE LOVED FOR HER MUSIC AND THE MEMORIES SHE GAVE US ALL THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. 💕💖THANKS AGAIN 💖💕
Greatest Female Vocalist ever! Even Whitney Houston(considered best singer ever) Acknowledged her Talent and Influence on her and other all time greats like Mariah Carey etc.
MEIERSEGGSTRAßE RESEARCH INSTITUTE That was so nice of Whitney saying that since Whitney is the greatest singer in the world and still right today no body can top Whitney but Aretha is the Queen of Soul may she rest in peace&love.
Live your life Whitney Houston is "considered" the greatest singer. That doesn't make it fact though, fan of hers that I am. Why compare? Whitney was a pop icon. Perhaps the greatest pop singer. Aretha's signature was soul, of which she was queen.
Don acts like he is in all the families. LOL He just connects and that's a good quality. Nice segment. I enjoy hearing about Ms. Aretha's good friends. God bless them and her family. This made me almost cry. Detroit is really rich in music. Not that I never made that observation before, but it was like something in the water. Wow. That old school wisdom, plus knowing when you know Jesus for real, you'll see Heaven gives peace and you can hear that peace in talking with Ms. Gladys and Mr. Smokey. Gladys Knight is just a sweet lady! Smokey is cool & respectful. They both follow Jesus. Christ makes the difference, I don't care what people say. ~~Accept Christ as Savior~~
I love all of Aretha Franklin songs but my fave song is I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) with George Michael I can listen to that song on repeat all day long RIP to this great legendary singer there will never be another like her!
Don was going through it. R.I.P. to one of the greatest to ever do it. Too many legends gone 😢 Has to be a sobering experience for the generations that came up in the prime if these legends careers.
I think it’s cute that Don Lemon was caught grooving to this clip before he went back live on air......RIP Aretha.....And Thanks for leaving us with the treasures of your musical gifts and other talents for us to cherish forever:)
Daisy Elmir Amen, Ms. Elmir, she will live forever... What a fantastic legacy to leave the World... America’s Best Of Soul... R.I.P. Thank you, again... 🙏🏻
The Queen Of soul Rest In Peace, make beautiful music in heaven with all the great artists we’ve lost. Thank you for inspiring artists like myself to strive to write songs with heart and soul, and much love!
Her work is Done.. Inspired by a life well lived.. Thank you Aretha... your voice touched my heart... ❣🎶😢
Arethas song 'Never let me go' Is a song I want played at my funeral as my coffin disappears behind the curtain!
Warren Fayuant Nessus dorma
Well said!!!
Thank you Don for being so real, emotional and honest.
Unknown Writer lol
Politically Incorrect
Really? 😁
Unknown Writer I have so much respect for you keep up the good work hope to meet you one day
The rawness of this presentation will stay with me for a long time. I'm deeply moved.
Unknown Writer Don is a cool young man. He's who I'd love to have as a sing. His interviews are so captivating. He's a smart guy. Love you Don. Correction: as a son.
They never ever will there be another like her.
starship trooper yes,yes,yes.
starship trooper Incomparable!!
starship trooper but isn't that the point of it all, why get another one like her when we've had the original Aretha. That's what makes her special one of a kind!
Yes, & many have tryed!
starship trooper .Never.
Aretha's performance of "Natural Woman" at Carol King's Kennedy Award ceremony was perhaps the greatest vocal performance I've ever witnessed. It sent chills up spine. I got up off the couch and start pumping my fist in the air while I jumped up and down.
Me Too☺💯💯
Baci302 I totally agree I saw that amazing performance too. 100 years from now people will still know her music.not one singer of this generation I can say that about.I'm so glad I grew up in the sixties.
Say that again she made everybody want to get up out of their seats. A Voice that got you shook and shaking from the soul.
Baci302 yes! It has me crying, shouting and filled up each time I witness it ❤❤❤❤🎤
Yes
Don Lemon you are the man on CNN. Thank you for doing such a great job bringing the world the news.
please stop existing
Ramal Nottah you are absolutely right can you imagine being called dumb over a question you ask that’s part of your job. Then well looks like it was his friend a good friend passed away. He very strong and intelligent.
Ramal Nottah
His crying was pathetic & overboard
I love you Don! May God bless you always. Keep on keeping on.
Watch Out y'all Fantasia ain't too far behind! Listen to her tribute to Aretha Franklin!!!
Incredible interview. Great history about our Queen Aretha Franklin. Gladys and Smokey thank you!
Gladsy Knight is so beautiful! Don thank you for this tribute.R.I.P Ms Franklin and thank you for the beautiful music you gave us!
justme2me
"I'd rather live in his world, than live without him in mine."
Gets me every time.
justme2me Boy Gladys is still absolutely gorgeous...how??😍😘
Mark Most yesssssss🎹🎶🎼🎵💪
its amazing that most of the great talents that came out of Detroit knew each other as kids or were related.
Very true! The Clark Sisters, Commissioned, The Entire Winans Family, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and many more that I’m forgetting!!! I grew up around all of them, because of my mother having been a photographer in the mist of it! I imagine you’ve been asked a million times... Are you related to Aretha?
Loved Aretha Franklin wonderful Music, and watched Carol Kings reaction to Aretha singing You make me feel like a natural woman, was out of this world.... Rip Aretha xxx
Carole King is a national treasure. She and Gerry Goffin wrote so many songs for so many artists, I'm still amazed when I find out, "They wrote that?"
From The Drifters to Whitney Houston, the list is seemingly endless...
Yaaaassss damn near had me in tears!
Richard Darlington Lennon McCartney cracked the goffin king code.
Carol knew that Aretha took that song to heights unimagined. It made everyone's soul sing!!
moneypenni1 you are a moron
Wow Gladys still looks so beautiful. What a wonderful singer and gracious women.
Steven Ward She's the best
yeah, Gladys is one of those born pretty die pretty chicks.
Smokey Robinson the man who wrote My Girl by the Temptations. That alone makes him a legend.
I love that song.
@Silasx4 ...MY GIRL was written by Smokey Robinson and Ronnie White.
Don Lemon, you are a beautiful soul. God bless Miss Aretha. 🙏 She was a beautiful soul as well. 💔😢
Man Don Lemon’s show was the most touching of the night
Josh Guevara Cena Dont listen to them they are jealous
Right! wesley russell
Josh Guevara Cena it was very touching I got teary-eyed because here in Detroit we're leaving flowers at the door of her church
Josh Guevara Cena
HIS CRYING WAS STRAIGHT UP ANNOYING!!!
Donkeykongfederersucks it was real tho!!!
I have listened to and loved Aretha Franklin all of my life. I thank Her for all the music and the love she has given to others. I will always love you deeply and I thank God, that I was blessed to be on this earth at the same time you were. There is an African proverb that states - A person does not die until they are forgotten, you will never be forgotten. Rest in eternal peace, in God's Village. Diana L. Jefferson/ Jamaica,N.Y.
Thank you Don Lemon for sharing your grief and your love for Aretha Franklin. I was genuinely moved by this segment when it aired last night and again watching it now. To be able to say she was my friend. Wow! Special. Very special.
That was the first time I heard Aretha's version of the great Sam Cook song.
A true legend. R E S P E C T. R I P.
*Good God, Gladys Knight is a legend her damn self!*
*_RESPECT LADIES!_*
BizWiz.
She really is.
Imagine growing up in that neighborhood with all those legends? R.I.P Aretha. 🙏❤🙏
Yep!
An amazing talent, will be missed
I can tell that Don Lemon was crying and I don't blame him. I'm a little misty eyed myself. Aretha Franklin was a music icon and now she's gone y'all, but her music will be forever eternal. RIP Ms. Aretha and thank you for your gift to the world.
so true
Just listened to ‘Angel’, Aretha’s most moving song. I wept until my eyes ran dry. Goodbye, Ree Ree 😔
I had a girlfriend who had a very similar tone of voice to Aretha so every Aretha song reminded me of her and she also loved Aretha's music. Though we went our separate ways in our lives I always loved this woman deeply. Aretha's music was there when this girl said goodbye to me leaving for the military (Call Me) and Aretha's music was there the first time we made love (Natural Woman). When my love was in a nursing home, I brought Percy Sledge and Al Green and Aretha songs to her bedside to make her smile. And when she passed and her family chose me to place her ashes in the ground....It was Angel playing in the background. I held it together for the funeral but I cried for days after (with Angel on repeat), and for days again when Aretha passed. I think I loved Aretha almost as much as my lady.
I feel ya, Don. Her music has been in my life since I was a baby. My mom loved her music and always played it around the house and in the car. I grew up with Aretha. Rest In Heavenly Peace! 💔
ME too my sweet mother loved her and would sing her songs to her children.
beautiful Don...same here..I know every song...
We grew up listening to Aretha Franklin dancing and singing u hear her voice u didn't have to ask who is that her voice was one of a kind i will deeply miss her she was no she is family to me rest in peace Angel 😇
These singers of today need a page r 2 from Mrs. Franklin on how to b a real lady i listen to the oldies on my Pandora everyday these song never go out of style and they did it with Respect & class something this young generation don't have a clue about just whatever comes out of there mouth
Thank you Don for publicly representing such a beautiful honest way of being a man in today's world.
Thank you Don!
Suzie Grime they were friends
Well said. True strength means allowing yourself to be vulnerable sometimes.
0:17 Awwww
That's just how I feel too. I don't know Aretha but only through her music and I love her duet with Tony Bennett😪🌻👍
Heartfelt and honest emotion. Thank you, Don.
We love you Mr Perkins!!
So many Hearts from Detroit!!
Huel Perkingto
brandi nesbitt and
That was a great black and talented neighborhood. In those times for any of them to have success and live to see today is amazing and a blessing.
Graced with Beauty most definitely!!!
Bless you Mr. Lemon and your love for Miss Franklin. Such a blessing to experience . Thank You 💕
She was an icon for the world. I loved her all my life. Condolences from Germany and the UK.
Her voice took us to places otherwise unreachable. Across boundaries of race, religion, or place of origin. If you ever experienced pain, love, hardship or sacrifice, her voice rang like a bell. Bringing us into her Church of soul. She will be forever remembered and always missed.😢
Don, you should be proud of yourself. Your interviews with ALL of Aretha's peers and friends have been classy, thoughtful and respectful. Nice job brother!
Heaven sure is getting sweeter, because our love ones live there, RIP. You live in our hearts. Thank you for leaving such a great legacy.
Long Live The Queen!
I appreciate that her family prepared the public about her illness and imminent death.
LiS Wright yea i appreciate that they kinda gave us a heads up and so it wasnt such a shock.. That was nice of them to do that
LiS Wright Yea I agree with you on that one because I'm sure the public would have been more shocked if we just found out so suddenly.I'm glad that just before Aretha died that she got a taste of how much she was loved,respected,and saluted by her fans and colleague's in the industry.
Well said!
Cause listen.... I would've been on oxygen if they would've just said "hey, she's gone" .... wth?? They gave us a moment to prepare.. Thanx family
@Tracy T I would've passed out
Young gifted and black and that's a fact.
@Sir Winston - Been a long while since Aretha was young. You should lay off the drugs
Sir Winston O Boogie Lennon I think he's around 50 years old. He does look young tho.
HAWTT KARLL Awwww, what's wrong? Bored?
Politically Incorrect then why come and watch boring videos, why watch a media outlet that you don't like. Why are you wasting you time and energy on something you have absolutely no interest in. You're going to get the same result everyone and know what that's called, insanity.
Politically Incorrect at least you no your place, the question is why is that your place. When you can honestly answer that you're be ok. Search it out.
In 1967 I was 14 she and her sister's the Sweet Inspiration's are all I listened to Respect hit no. 1 on bandstand I love her so much there was no Soul train back then. I've been crying everyday I will miss . Thank you Don't thank you so much
Miss Aretha, you really are a queen. May God Bless you always. R.I.P. Lilly
Thankyou it’s an honor &privileage to watch this video.Aretha will be missed she lives on in our 💕.Rest our Queen.We love you always
Damn it Don, now you made me cry! 😭 God bless her, she will be missed! ❤😢😭😭
Excellent Don, I watch your segment daily. Proud of you, Great tribute to Aretha, Thanks
Ronald
My old Detroit neighborhood,the North End,with Smokey,Temptations,4 Tops,Diana Ross and yes Ms.Franklin.....May God Allah grant her peace.
Detroit r&b soul classic and hip-hop love Cool good Listen music good town neighborhood music
Wasn't della Reese from Detroit as well
Yes, I grew up in the 60'S
Ronald Macafee Linwood, Oakland, Dexter, 12th, Livernois.
Aretha Franklin is with Jesus Christ the true GOD in heaven.
Love your tears. You are a real man. One of the few today. Love your tears. "You Make Me Feel Like a Woman".
Gladys Knight is simply Beautiful....
I met her at O'Hare airport. She is gracious and kind when cameras are rolling and when they are not. A straight-up wonderful human being
You are absolutely right about Ms. Gladys Knight. A priceless jewel to see, who is still with us.
Yes she is!
Gladys looks a little thin, I pray she’s ok in her health.
Awww man her words about joining Aretha one day in heaven just made me tear up!!!!
The 1960s especially was a time that highlighted so many great musical artists from the Detroit "Motown" area. Remember playing all their songs on the jukeboxes and Aretha's songs were always the first to be selected. RIP sweet lady and thank you so much for such happy memories in my younger years.
She was such a true DIVA !!!💓💓💓💞🌺🌺🌹🌹🌹🌷🌷🌷!! Not a fake like so many entertainers of today
This is the best interview I've heard. Dear friends of Aretha sharing with us. Smokey almost brought me to tears. Yes she is and forever shall be The greatest singer of all time. Our Queen of Soul, the Queen of Soul your music will live on. My prayers are with her family and friends.
Awesome and Outstanding interview. Thank You CNN. one love Aretha. us true blues brothers will keep it safe for you babe. Love and Aloha. May you Rest now in Eternal Peace. Mar 25, 1942 - Aug 16, 2018. :'(
Celebrate her sweetie im in tears with you it will never be a Momma Queen Aretha...She is singing in heaven..we will all meet again.. Momma Queen take care of my mother she died of throat cancer Sept. 7th 2017 last year 2017 my best friend..keep each other company..
Aretha is part of the soundtrack of our nation's history. I hope she knew how much her music meant to so many people. Don Lemon's reaction reflects how a lot of us are feeling. Wonderful to see Miss Gladys and Smokey. Their music broke barriers, too. The CD I made to listen to in my car has songs from all three, as well as The Four Tops, The Temptations,The Supremes, J5, Honey Cone, and more. I must look funny - an old white lady singing along with the Queen of Soul, alone in my car, but I can't help it. I love their music and always will.
+AC. I’m with you! Back in the day in the ‘60's, before I could afford a car with an FM radio or a 4-track tape deck, this white boy would roll with KDAY & KGFJ in LA, and The Mighty XERB “Blasting Southern California with a 100,000 watt Blanket Of Soul” from Tijuana. Most of the white-targeted stations concentrated on bubble-gum pop & lame English dance hall crap. The Motown cross-over shift was just peeking over the horizon. But these R&B stations were my salvation, because the only jazz was on FM. The Mighty X and their all-night guy The Wolfman Jack, were a particular, clear-channel treasure. Aretha, and Gladys, and Smokey, and Wilson, and all of them, blasting “on the stratospheric skip” all the way to my Canadian country cousin, Gary. He has a sharp ear and memorized all of this, so he could sound remarkably hip singing the next day from his tractor seat while out mowing the hay. Gary is, in the words of the Annie Green Springs pop wine jingle of that day, “so country, he got suspenders on his suspenders”. Gritty & gitdown. Was that Martha & The Vandellas singing about her country dude?
This is so touching and honest..R.I.P. Queen of Soul
The Queen of Soul was iconic and irreplaceable! Her heavenly talents described our most intimate life matters. She was a real caring, charitable, loving woman, sister. May she rest in peace. We have her gift of talents that enables us to continue to enjoy and celebrate what life is what life brings.
Thank you Don Lemon for your Honest Reports, mind and heart. peace, love, good courage...
the queen of soul will never be forgotten we loved all of her recordings and yes thank you all so much for sharing this time and Gladys Knight you look great thank you for sharing this great story with us rest in peace Aretha God needed you on the Heavenly Choir
What a beautiful tribute To The Queen Of Soul Don Thank You!!!! #RESTWELLQUEENOFSOUL
May God bring you comfort during your time of grieving Don and also to all the family, friends, and different lives that Aretha Franklin touched during her lifeltime. May she rest in peace.
Mr Don Lemon, I thank you & admire your relaxed way you remember our Queen of Soul, Ms Aretha Franklin....
Damnit Don... Got me over here weeping! 😢😢 #ARoseIsStillARose #RestEasy Mama!!
Raphael Smith me too
I miss you darling. I will always love and respect you for the great works and the beautiful song you sings for us. 😭😭😭😭 RIP Queen 👑
Great interviews Don, thank you. I'm going to really miss The Queen. One of my favorite songs by Aretha is "Ain't No Way".BTW Gladys looks wonderful.
She was just a phenomenal woman in every aspect. RIP Ms. Aretha Franklin.
I would have loved to live in that neighborhood! Imagine when the parents got together and all the kids were around for a play date and putting in talent shows for the moms and dads 😎💕🙌🏽
I had never heard Aretha Franklin sing, "You send me."She sounds incredible and then Don breaks down into tears Don had me in tears (-: I'm still in tears now. Aretha will be greatly missed just like Whitney!!!
warrior1975ify me too
Look to the rainbow was one of my favorite Aretha Franklin songs. Oh....how heavy my heart just felt again thinking about this tremendous lost. R.I.P. Ms. Franklin. She will live on through her music.
Outstanding job!! Blessing to our beloved Queen of Soul RESPECT.
Don your too nice 👍
Wonderful Tribute to Aretha! I know she's in Heaven smiling right now!
Excellent segment! Thank you!!!
RAP KRAP WE HAVE NOW WITH NO SENSE MUSIC LIP SYNC
very beautiful and very searing !
I'm happy and thankful for his exposure to, connection with and appreciation of Ms. Franklin and for bringing this segment to us.
Get your stupid ass off of here and keep your stupid comments to yourself.
@Sir Alfred Lawrence I used to think so but he has changed because he holds people accountable and stands up to people on his show trying to defend the president. He's not afraid to call him a racist. Paris Dennard is definitely an uncle Tom!
Wow! Love your honesty and guts at being free with your emotions, Mr. Lemon! You are just great!
Aretha Franklin R.I.P. 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Marciano Demidof
Amen!!
🙏❤🙏❤🙏❤
Thank you Don, your love and sincerity means alot. Love V
Gladys looks amazing.
OK, Don you made us all cry,thank you!!!!
I just happened to see this interview and was really caught off guard with the touching response to the loss of a great icon in Aretha Franklin. God Bless her in her journey to Glory. Also, Thanks Don for your Being you💙
It's nice to see a news reporter being real and showing his emotions because so many news reporters show no emotions to things that I would break down seeing or having to report. Aretha will never be forgotten even to children today because her music will always play in homes and in public specially her song RESPECT!! RIP Aretha God has you in his arm now and your sickness is gone.
I will miss your talent Aretha. 💙
I do understand how you feel,God Bless you, listening to aretha got me through my teenage years,Bridge over troubled water.
I love this. It has me teary-eyed, because you can tell that Don really loved her.
Wow ! Don thank u for blessing us one more time with great memories of the Queen of Soul.This was a beautiful tribute to her and I'm glad u were blessed to know this remarkable Woman.
Thank you for sharing your story with us about a Legend and Queen! I grew up listening to her music, she had an amazing talent and we will always remember her through her songs. It's refreshing to see that a man like you isn't afraid to show your emotions about something and someone you care so deeply about. She will no longer be in pain, may she rest in peace.
Bless you Aretha! Bless you Gladys! Bless you Smokey! Bless you Don for this tribute, you made this so special, got me crying too. A true gift to America, and the world. Amen
Gladys Knight...Ms License to kill....thanks for the Input! This is a celebration of her life and Talent!
Ditto! Just speechless, but thanks be to God we got a chance to hear & get a glimpse of the "Queen of Soul"!
Rest in peace Aretha! You will be truly missed you are a truly natural woman! Love you!
Thank you, Don Lemon for that beautiful tribute to Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin.
Aretha was a favorite singer of my mother who has been deceased for 11 years she loved Aretha so much she give my baby sister who's 54 now, Aretha as her middle name. Aretha Franklin's music played on our home all the time as i grew up and even still today.
How lucky you were, Don, to meet her! Thank you for this.
Of all the celebs, Glady's is one of the opinions I was seeking out from one Queen of Soul to the other. Love it. So classy
CNN
THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR VIDEO OF MEMORIES OF ARETHA.
SHE WILL ALWAYS BE LOVED FOR HER MUSIC AND THE MEMORIES SHE GAVE US ALL THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
💕💖THANKS AGAIN 💖💕
Greatest Female Vocalist ever! Even Whitney Houston(considered best singer ever) Acknowledged her Talent and Influence on her and other all time greats like Mariah Carey etc.
MEIERSEGGSTRAßE RESEARCH INSTITUTE That was so nice of Whitney saying that since Whitney is the greatest singer in the world and still right today no body can top Whitney but Aretha is the Queen of Soul may she rest in peace&love.
MEIERSEGGSTRAßE RESEARCH INSTITUTE She was Whitney Houston's godmother.
Live your life Whitney Houston is "considered" the greatest singer. That doesn't make it fact though, fan of hers that I am. Why compare? Whitney was a pop icon. Perhaps the greatest pop singer. Aretha's signature was soul, of which she was queen.
She's finally in the land where we will never grow old...rest on Queen...Rest on☺
By re re ....i love you
Thanks for being there when I was a lonely kid, and thru my whole life...you make me feel like a natural person
Still listen to her. Listening to her music, she's NOT dead to me! She still inspires me with her music! She lives ON!
Awesome footage. May the Queen of Soul Rest In Paradise ❤️🙏🏽
Awwww Don, this was so touching for me, thank you!!!
Awwwww don't cry don. We will all miss her. She's lives on thru the music
yea I know
She will be so missed what a beautiful woman what beautiful voice RIP Mrs. ARETHA The Queen of Soul.
Prayers for U Ms. Franklin
RESPECT*
Rest in Peace Queen of Soul your music is and forever always will be in heads and in our hearts ❤🎼.
Don acts like he is in all the families. LOL He just connects and that's a good quality. Nice segment. I enjoy hearing about Ms. Aretha's good friends. God bless them and her family. This made me almost cry. Detroit is really rich in music. Not that I never made that observation before, but it was like something in the water. Wow. That old school wisdom, plus knowing when you know Jesus for real, you'll see Heaven gives peace and you can hear that peace in talking with Ms. Gladys and Mr. Smokey. Gladys Knight is just a sweet lady! Smokey is cool & respectful. They both follow Jesus. Christ makes the difference, I don't care what people say. ~~Accept Christ as Savior~~
Don, thank you for the beautiful contribute. It made me cry and I loved it.
You are beautiful man! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!
I love all of Aretha Franklin songs but my fave song is I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) with George Michael I can listen to that song on repeat all day long RIP to this great legendary singer there will never be another like her!
Don was going through it. R.I.P. to one of the greatest to ever do it. Too many legends gone 😢 Has to be a sobering experience for the generations that came up in the prime if these legends careers.
I think it’s cute that Don Lemon was caught grooving to this clip before he went back live on air......RIP Aretha.....And Thanks for leaving us with the treasures of your musical gifts and other talents for us to cherish forever:)
Our Queen will never die and shall Live Forever....
Claudy TheArtist
Love Aretha, may she rest in peace.
🙏❤🙏❤🙏❤
Daisy Elmir
Amen, Ms. Elmir, she will live forever... What a fantastic legacy to leave the World... America’s Best Of Soul... R.I.P.
Thank you, again... 🙏🏻
Amen
Perushion Rushion .......🙏🏻
The Queen Of soul Rest In Peace, make beautiful music in heaven with all the great artists we’ve lost. Thank you for inspiring artists like myself to strive to write songs with heart and soul, and much love!