Aretha Franklin and skating

[glorybox64]

Given the news today, I thought it'd be nice to share clips and memories from Aretha Franklin's various connections with the skating world over the years.

She performed in two Disson Skating specials, Aretha Franklin Tribute on Ice (in 2001) and Fashion on Ice (in 2011). I can't find any clips online or casting information but there's quite a bit out there from the fashion show:

Cast finale fan video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrtCxijOlLQ
Joannie Rochette performs to Aretha singing "A Summer Place": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-Z1ZVdD7D0

And then, of course, there's Rory Flack's performance to "Think" (corrected link thanks to @Spun Silver): https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9uclL44PYRU

ETA: A Hartford Courant review of the Aretha Tribute: http://articles.courant.com/2001-10-16/news/0110160338_1_aretha-franklin-skaters-ice

Anyone have memories of the Aretha Tribute show from 2001 or any other performances to Aretha's music?

 

[Impromptu]

Nicole Bobek, medley includes "Like a Natural Woman" and "respect": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7pD3r36LvA

 

[Ican'twalkonice]

Thank you for this. I was at that FOI in Chicago. Two people had her by her arms and led her up to the stage, so she wouldn't fall. She obviously wasn't in too good of shape. - Until she SUNG! Did she ever sing! It was a great evening. That was broadcasted later, by A.B.C. I believe.
May she Rest In Peace.

 

[alchemy void]

Ivett Toth used "I Say Little Prayer" in her 2015-2016 short program.

 

[synchrogirl17]

I choreographed a synchro program last year to "Chain of Fools" and "Think". Her music is so wonderful <3 RIP

 

[SkateGuard]

A few more to add...

Liz Manley did "Think" as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX7DT-pdGco&t

...As did Mandy Wötzel & Ingo Steuer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9Pbrknh5Es

Jill Trenary skating to The Commitments' cover of Aretha's "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiccYJhQXxM

 

[glorybox64]

I just remembered Kristi Yamaguchi did "Natural Woman" during Stars on Ice 1997, but I believe this is the Celine Dion cover. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4kuu

 

[Theoreticalgirl]

Love this thread. Worth noting: Rory Flack is the niece of soul/R&B singer Roberta Flack.

 

[SamuraiK]

Olivia Smart published a tribute on her Instagram, thanking Aretha for the inspiration for her last season FD

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmi-MrGjBjd/?taken-by=oliviasmartx

 

[B.Cooper]

Rachael Flatt, paying her "Respects" to Aretha Franklin at 2009 US Figure Skating Championships exhibition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJDUSQGW0Ds

 

[Spun Silver]

@glorybox64,I think you meant to link this Rory Flack performance. It's fabulous. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9uclL44PYRU

Brava, Aretha! R.I.P.

 

[Coco]

3l and 3f!! wow!

 

[alchemy void]

3l and 3f!! wow!

That’s awesome! I only vaguely remember seeing her doing 3toes and 2axels as a pro. Fantastic program, too.

 

[livetoskate]

How did I miss this? Sasha Cohen skating to Chain of Fools as Aretha sings at Fashion on Ice, 2011:
https://youtu.be/ZcP45Fvp8Xc

As a fan who's sung Aretha Franklin songs very poorly at karaoke, I thank Ms. Franklin for all her awesome songs and musical genius! Let's keep skating to her music.

 

[slicekw]

Here's praying that the next time I hear someone skating to Nessun Dorma, they use this version.

 

[vgerdes]

Here's praying that the next time I hear someone skating to Nessun Dorma, they use this version.

I remember the first time I heard her sing that, at the Grammys. Talk about your mic drop moments. She blew me away. I knew she was an unparalleled R & B singer, but that was seriously amazing.

 

[slicekw]

I remember the first time I heard her sing that, at the Grammys. Talk about your mic drop moments. She blew me away. I knew she was an unparalleled R & B singer, but that was seriously amazing.

To put the Grammy appearance into perspective (and make it even more impressive), she stepped into the performance after Pavaroti had rehearsed but gotten sick, so she didn't get to rehearse with the orchestra/chorus. And on top of that, it was not in her key at all. It's not as enjoyable as the recordings you can find of her performing it in her preferred key, but OMG to step in without practice and change key and still blow away the Grammy audience and people at home was quite a feat.

 

[aftershocks]

It's cool to see the intersection of Aretha Franklin and figure skating, so thanks for sharing.

Perhaps in tribute to Aretha, Starr Andrews might decide to skate a program or exhibition to R-E-S-P-E-C-T (Just a Little Bit), and kick some serious butt! Here's looking at you Dave Lease!

I'm sad at Aretha's passing. She was an amazing person, as well as a great singer. A legend in her own time. The Queen of Soul, and so much morel. For those interested, Daphne Brooks, Ph.D.* https://afamstudies.yale.edu/people/daphne-brooks, is working on a three volume study about the music of 'black' female singers, including Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, et al. I attended an enlightening lecture that Brooks gave a few years ago on Aretha Franklin and the power of her creative voice. Here's an example of what that lecture was about:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2...mbattled-black-women-and-transformed-a-nation
Also:
https://www.npr.org/2018/08/18/639644891/arethas-bridge
https://www.npr.org/2018/08/16/639234048/remembering-the-queen-of-soul
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/how-aretha-franklin-shaped-generations-of-music
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/04/04/aretha-franklins-american-soul

*Daphne Brooks recently joined Jack Halberstam at the Brooklyn museum for a conversation about David Bowie's legacy. And Brooks also wrote the passionate and graceful book, Grace, about the life and music of Jeff Buckley.

 

[DreamSkates]

Adding my thanks to those who shared the links. Can't wait to sit down and watch these later!

 

[aftershocks]

I came across this clip on Youtube of Aretha Franklin's appearance in the original Blues Brothers film singing, Think. It seems like a timely anthem for the 'Me Too' movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vet6AHmq3_s

I can see Melania serenading DT:

Think (think) about what you're trying to do to me...
You better think, yeah ...

People walking around everyday
Playing games and taking scores
Trying to make other people lose their minds
Well, be careful, you're goin' to lose yours...

'Cause freedom (freedom) stands for freedom (freedom)
Oh, freedom, yeah, freedom, (freedom) right now
Freedom, (freedom) oh, freedom (freedom)
Give me some freedom, oh, freedom, (freedom) right now...


Aretha made a follow-up appearance in the sequel years later with some of the same characters. On the second occasion, Aretha sang a version of Respect:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD3WOKLTRyQ

I totally agree with the posted comments to this video, especially this one:
"You don't feature Aretha, she features you." AMEN!