Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, is staying busy with shows, an album, and a biopic

By GARY GRAFF
Of The Oakland Press

The Queen of Soul is alive and well and ready to "Rock Steady," as she sang in her chart-topping 1971 hit.

Nine months after unspecified surgery that had not just fans but the entire world focused on her health, Aretha Franklin is happily inhabiting the musical throne she's occupied for the better part of five decades, during which she's scored 45 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, received 20 Grammy Awards, was ranked at No. 1 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the Greatest Singers of All Time and became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

She's lost weight and is taking better care of herself. The Detroit native and Bloomfield Hills resident released a new album, "Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love," in May and is back on the stage — including in her home town, performing on Thursday (Aug. 25) at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.

And Franklin tells us she has a lot more planned, including another new album and a biopic that she's helping to produce. Taking a break from checking out the early rounds of the U.S. Open tennis tournament on TV, the Queen gave us an audience — and an update on everything she's up to.

Since you emerged after surgery last December, you look great. What's your secret:

Franklin: I'm watching my diet now, really watching it. I got to Whole Foods and pick up some things there that are better for me than what I had been using. I'm very disciplined now where my diet is concerned — more water, more walking.

Was that hard at first? You're reputed to be a pretty good cook.

Franklin: That's right, and I love food. But, you know, food doesn't exactly love you when you overeat. So you've got to be more disciplined. I now work out three times a week, either on the track or the treadmill as well.

What kind of effect has this had on your ability to perform and sing live?

Franklin: It's better for my maintenance in terms of my energy and my lasting power. I'm closing stronger, even stronger than ever. And I'm just loving it. My energy, everything is just great. The performances, the reviews, everything has been absolutely smashing. I'm having a really good time.Continued...

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