Aretha Headlines Gospel Concert At White House Airs On PBS-TV In June
Aretha Franklin brought church to the White House. Yes, the legendary Queen of Soul turned a recent all-star gospel concert at the White House into a romping, stomping, praise and worship service. Her appearance was part of the “In Performance at the White House” series that paid tribute to the fundamental role gospel music has played in the American musical tradition and the important artists and repertoire that have marked its vibrant history.
Franklin opened her set in the East Room singing the hymn, “I Love the Lord He Heard My Cry” and then was joined by The Williams Brothers on “Higher Ground,” a song she produced for her 1987 gospel album, “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” They closed with “Precious Memories,” a tune produced by the late King of Gospel James Cleveland and featured on Franklin’s 1972 “Amazing Grace” album.
“The Williams Brothers and I always hit it off in song.” Franklin says. “They are fine young men and soul-stirring artists.”
Other performers included Pastor Shirley Caesar, Bishop Rance Allen, Darlene Love, Tamela Mann, Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett, Rodney Crowell, Rhiannon Giddens, Michelle Williams and the Morgan State University Choir with T. Bone Burnett served as executive music director and Billy Maxwell as music director.
“It was absolutely wonderful,” says Franklin. “It warmed my heart to be back with other gospel singers I grew up with like Shirley Caesar and Rance Allen. To sing the songs of Zion and be in concert at the White House for President Obama and Mrs. Obama was an extra special evening.”
President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama personally invited Franklin and the other guests to celebrate the power of gospel music in America.
“The Gospel Tradition: In Performance at the White House” was streamed live at whitehouse.gov/live. It will be broadcast Friday, June 26 at 9 p.m. (ET) on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings). The program will also be simulcast on TV One.
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