The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, is the subject of another biography, RESPECT: The Life of Aretha Franklin, and she’s not happy about it. She did not give the accredited music writer David Ritz permission. In fact, she went on the record saying the book is “trashy” and “full of lies.”
RESPECT dives into her personal life including conversations with Franklin’s brother who talks about Aretha’s rebellious period and her first husband Ted White. Like the rest of us immortals, Franklin is not incapable of making bad choices (ahem, Freeway of Love). The book reveals some of her human flaws and mistakes but overall, Book Reporter says it acknowledges her “to be the best of the very best.”
–an earlier version of this article said Aretha sang Pink Cadillac. Thanks for the correction, Jorial! We meant Freeway of Love, Pink Cadillac version:
