Saturday, January 31, 2009
People who know me know I love Aretha Franklin.
I came up listening to her music on KDIA, the now defunct AM radio station out of Oakland, CA that featured classic R&B and old school soul. Aretha’s a brilliant musician: she sings, pens lyrics, writes music and, ‘Miss Ree’ plays a killer piano player, too.
Aretha sang My Country Tis of Thee for President Barack Obama’s inaugural and as usual, she rocked. But the buzz following her performance had nothing to do with her music — it focused on her hat.
The now iconic head gear that Aretha wore while singing at the swearing-in has been requested by none other than the Smithsonian Museum.
Aretha, however, is undecided about parting with her Luke Song-designed hat. Says the Queen of Soul:
“I am considering it. It would be hard to part with my chapeau since it was such a crowning moment in history.”
Got to love Aretha!
I love this hat and I think Aretha looked stylish. What an honor for her to know the Smithsonian thinks her hat is worthy of their history museum. I hope she lets them have it.
It is a great hat! I figure she doesn’t have to donate it immediately – she could always leave it to the Smithsonian in her will after all!
Amen my brother,
When she sang “Let freedom ring…”
Whose heart wouldnt soar…
Peace and Love,
M
Aretha is one in a million.
I’ve seen her in concert about 10 years ago and she was beyond belief. A magnificent artist.
Only Aretha can pull off wearing such a spectacular
hat. Wow!
That hat probably will eventually wind up in the Smithsonian, when she’s ready.
She’s one of the best, for sure.
I went to college in Atlanta in the 1950′s. I loved living in Georgia and Atlanta in particular. I had a tiny apartment near Emory and on Sunday morning, I would see elderly African American on their way to church decked out in the finery. These ladies put on quite a fashion show. Aretha’s “chapeau” reminds me those classy Atlanta women. I loved it.
I love Aretha’s hat.
Maybe she can put the hat in her will.
KDIA – wow, that brings some memories back. I’m an Acorn (son of Oakland CA).
Regards,
Tengrain
It’s the Smithsonian Institution, not the Smithsonian Museum.