QUICKIE: All Hail To The Queen Of Soul... And That Hat!

Bush said this ain't over until the fat lady sings.

Then Barack called Aretha Franklin up and handed her the mic....

CASE CLOSED!!!!

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Aretha Franklin's response to Tina Turner statement in USA TODAY

"I have always appreciated what Tina Turner has to offer and had quietly cheered her on after Ike and her subsequent success. However, with respect to her statement concerning my ego (in saying, 'Her ego must be so big to think she was the only one … that's how queens are') clearly she was talking about herself as she described herself as the 'Queen of Rock' and saying 'that's what Queens do' — particularly since she does not have a clue as to who I am in view of the fact that we have never met."

Oh, it gets better family.

"I never figured her to resort to tacky press just to sell a few tickets. I understand and I know that the concert market is down where ticket sales are concerned. I really had put her in a different class — higher than that.

"Finally, no one has been more gracious or complimentary to their peers than I have and I am confident and secure enough to do so, unlike some others. I wish Ms. Turner all the best, as I always have. Perhaps one day we will meet."

Jerry Wexler Rock and Roll Pioneer Dies At 91

Jerry Wexler, who not only coined the phrase rhythm and blues, but was also one of the key architects of the genre, died Friday. He was 91.

He revolutionized popular music with seminal, superstar-making recordings of acts such as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and others.

Over his decades-long career, Wexler created varied soundscapes that touched just about every kind of listener, from his work with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, to his masterful recording of Dusty Springfield, to his work with pop and rock acts like George Michael and Dire Straits.

He also helped build one of the most influential labels in pop, Atlantic Records

Mama Rea Out and About

Aretha Franklin then.

Aretha Franklin now.

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MAJOR GRAMMY DRAMA: BEYONCE, QUEEN ARETHA IS NOT AMUSED!!!

Franklin Slams Beyonce's Grammy Intro Of Tina Turner

When the undisputed "Queen of Soul" is unhappy, she's one Black woman that ain't afraid to check-ya! On Tuesday, mama slammed Miss Bey's intro of the legendary Tina Turner at Sunday's Grammy Awards, in which Knowles called Turner, not Franklin, "The Queen." GIRL FIGHT Y'ALL!!!

"I am not sure of whose toes I may have stepped on or whose ego I may have bruised between the Grammy writers and Beyonce," Aretha Franklin said in a statement issued by her publicist. "However, I dismissed it as a cheap shot for controversy."

In the first few seconds of Knowles' intro to Turner's performance, she name-dropped Franklin and a long list of famed female singers. Then the "Crazy in Love" chanteuse focused on Turner. "There is one legend who has the essence of all of those things: the glamour, the soul, the passion, the strength, the talent," said Knowles, strutting in hot pants. "Ladies and gentlemen. Stand on your feet and give it up for the queen."

At a party later that night, Knowles called Turner her "ultimate icon." Still, Franklin ended her brief criticism on a gracious note, thanking the Grammys and the voting academy and saying, "love to Beyonce anyway."

Known for such hits as "Respect" and "Chain of Fools," Franklin tied with the Clark Sisters for best gospel performance trophy for her duet "Never Gonna Break My Faith" with Mary J. Blige.

E-mails to Knowles' publicist Yvette Noel-Schure and calls and e-mails to Recording Academy spokeswomen Jaime Sarachit and Barb Deghan were not immediately returned. [AP]

Our Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin May Want To Consider Putting That Fork Down Right About Now

While Aretha Franklin may be proudly showing off more of her "fullness", a natural woman she ain't. Seen here at the Kennedy Centre honors just days ago, the 65-year-old powerhouse is a heart attack just waiting to happen.

Last week on NBC's Nightly News series on the state of African American women they focused on heart disease. My grandmother had it. My uncle has had two triple bypass surgeries. And we all know that the best way to not deal with this drama is diet and exercise -- something that many of us, including the 16-time Grammy Award winner, seems allergic to. Find out what she looked like back in the day AFTER THE JUMP...

Heart disease is a leading cause of death of African American women. To compound the problem, we are less likely to get preventative treatment than white women when diagnosed.

Shown above, Aretha is practically twice the size of the svelte sista in the Sixties and Seventies with the string of hits with songs such as Respect, Say a Little Prayer and You Make Me Feel (Like a Natural Woman). Having spoken about her battle with her weight, Franklin said she spent decades starving herself to stay slim:



"For a long time I suffered so much trying to be what other people expected me to be and look like," she told a US website. "I definitely was never meant to be a model type walking down a runway - I'm just Aretha singing what she feels in her heart and soul."

Aretha Franklin Says Uncle: Even The Queen Of Soul Can't Take On That Detroit Heatwave!

Aretha Franklin cancels Detroit concert

By Aunt Kathy

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin (65) said that the Detroit weather has been "sweltering and all but overwhelming."

An outdoor concert, set for today, was canceled and will be rescheduled.

Franklin said, "I am exhausted from the heat and cannot tolerate heat in these extremely high numbers and being in concert simultaneously.

We understand, and would offer our L.A. hospitality, but it's supposed to get hot here next week.