We asked readers to share their favourite song or memory from ‘The Queen of Soul.’
This Jan. 14, 2012 file photo, shows singer Aretha Franklin performing during the BET Honors at the Warner Theatre in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)Jose Luis Magana/The Canadian Press
From, 'Queening ain’t easy’: Aretha Franklin remembered for transcendent voice, defiance by Brad Wheeler
The first time I heard “I never loved a man (the way I loved you)” I got goose bumps all over. I still do. Aretha had a voice that spoke to you regardless of your race or gender. She will be missed. - D_Knight
Aretha Franklin performs on the opening night of a run of shows at the Aladdin in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., June 21, 1978. Lee McDonald/Las Vegas News Bureau/Handout via ReutersSupplied/Reuters
From, ‘Queen of Soul’ Aretha Franklin dies at 76
Not a surprising but certainly a terribly sad day for lovers of pop music and soaring, incredible voices.
Aretha so deserved her title as Queen of Soul but her instrument was so phenomenal and her timing and musical sense so extraordinary that she could sing gospel, pop standards and probably everything else.
Its hard to pick just one song to encapsulate her talents and career but I recommend her live duet on YouTube with Annie Lennox singing Chain of Fools a few years ago at The Rock and Roll Hall on Fame in Cleveland.
Lennox is also a great talent yet she flew over from England just to share a stage and a song with Franklin.
When Annie joined Aretha on stage, she got on her knees and bowed deeply.
As she should!
So lucky for us your magnificent music will be here for us forever, Ms. Franklin.
Wish you could have stuck around longer, too.
Thanks for thrilling us so often with your wonderful voice.
RIP – Teddy Ballgame 9
I was a teenager in the 80′s, and one of my favorite songs of that decade is “Freeway of Love” by Aretha. Like all of her music, it hasn’t aged and still sounds great and fresh today. We’ve lost a beautiful and talented artist. - T. Stephens
An indelible spirit to match her magnificent voice. Rest in Peace.
Favourite Song: ‘Try a Little Tenderness – ThinkAboutIt42
Conservative MP Maxime Bernier is taking issue with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's oft-repeated message of diversity in Canada, calling it a form of "radical multiculturalism." Bernier is shown in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, Sept.28, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian WyldAdrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
From Who’s playing identity politics? Everyone, a column by Margaret Wente
A brilliant analysis and one that hit home with me.
I am tired of being told I am “un Canadian” if I disagree with Liberal policy. – yuknon
A big part of the problem is that the term diversity is not well defined.
If diversity means people from diverse cultures coming here to bring their skills and ambitions in order to make their lives within the succesful and tolerant western society which has been established, then it is indeed a strength. However if the term is interpreted as people from diverse countries coming here but expecting to live entirely in a culture apart from that of the mainstream of Canadian society, it is a weakness.
Bernier is simply correct in saying that there is a limit to what diversity should be and that we should be placing more emphasis on attracting those who are willing and more qualified to integrate quickly into our existing society, regardless of their race or religion. – nrh
Good column but you forgot to mention taking John A. Macdonald off the ten dollar bill and pulling down his statue in Victoria. The Trudeau government, actively and passively, is assailing Canada’s core identity by their multicultural and Aboriginal rights extremism. - William Lyon Mackenzie1
Which prompted this response from CognitiveDisonnance
Viola Desmond on our money- WONDERFUL
John A MacDonald statue removed- WONDERFUL
Doesn’t change history, doesn’t affect my view of who I am as a Canadian.
DOES make me proud to BE a Canadian when it’s not ALL about White Men in Canada. - CognitiveDisonnance
Comment of the week
From, Federal government to declare statutory holiday to mark painful residential-school legacy by Gloria Galloway
We do not need another statutory holiday. We do not need a federal government that forces us to apologize, or feel sorry about, or regret, the residential schools. We need concerted action on the social, economic, educational, and health issues that are barriers to the well-being of indigenous peoples, and their communities, in ways that are sustainable and effective over the long term. We need to do this because we fundamentally believe that all people have rights and need opportunities to build their futures, not because we feel bad about the past. - Gavin Perryman
From the Comments is a new feature designed to highlight interesting and thoughtful contributions from our readers. Some comments have been edited for clarity. Everyone can read the comments but only subscribers will be able to contribute. Thank you to everyone furthering debate across our site.