Sunday, February 19, 2012

The Curious Absence of Aretha Franklin


Aretha Franklin was supposed to sing at Whitney Houston's Home Going celebration.

Dionne Warwick even announced Aretha's name during the service and had to be told Aretha wasn't there.

So what happened...?

Days before Whitney Houston's funeral Aretha Franklin told ABC News that Cissy Houston had asked her to sing and that although it would be hard she would do it. The night before the service Aretha performed a concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York and all seemed well. The next day however, hours before the service Aretha announced that because of excruciating leg cramps she would not be able to attend the funeral.

"I had every intention of being there. But unfortunately I had terrible leg spasms and locked leg muscles until 4:00 a.m. this morning following my concert last night, which I've been having for the last few days."

"I feel it necessary and very important to stay off my leg today as much as possible until concert time this evening. My heart goes out to my dear friend Cissy, Dionne, Bobbi Kristina and the rest of the family. May God keep them all.

– Aretha & the Franklin Family."

Interestingly enough Aretha performed without incident later that evening at Radio City where she kicked off her heels and even danced on stage.