Stephen Colbert was the MC of this event. He tells the story of when this performance was starting, he was in the wings next to the Stage Manager and said to the man, “I wish I had seen her in her prime.” About 40 seconds into the performance, Stephen turned back to the SM and said, “I’m an idiot.”
Aretha is the Queen of Soul music. She was still singing strong in her later years when her health was failing. We are blessed to have had Aretha grace this earth with her magnificent soulful vocals.
She took us to church and this performance was like a miracle and TG we get to watch again and again, Amen 😊 This is THE best live performance ever. Aretha sauntered out and Her inside voice said, Let me tell you bout me 😂❤.
I' ve heard that the toral surprise in Carol face, is because Aretha did not travel by plane almost for 20 years and despite being a great pianist, she don't use to play in her performances.
The composer- legendary pop writer , Carole King- was being honored that night. She didn’t know Aretha was going to be there- hence her reaction you see. Aretha was 73 with cancer here. Amazing.
My roommate and me were watching this broadcast in our respective bedrooms and when Aretha dropped that coat we both screamed QWEEEEEN! at the same time! Good times, good memories, and a fabulous performance. And she was sick with cancer! Carol was so blown away by the whole thing.
Hands down the best performance of this song ever. The whole performance is just phenomenal , and when you get a standing ovation beginning at the end rows and while you are still singing...thats when you know you are the Queen.
A monumental woman, a monumental performance. How can people not know the music of Aretha? She is named the greatest popular singer of all time on just about every list. Her voice here is not the same as when she was in her vocal prime - but the magnificent LION ROARED, one last time.
What I love about Aretha was she always dressed to the nines for the stage, furs, jewels, and an iconic handbag. The deal with the handbag was she didn't trust banks or promoters, and she made sure she and her crew were paid in cash, and that handbag was where the money went for the show, and that handbag went onto the stage with her for the show so she kept an eye on it. If you look at just about any old public performance, there is a handbag sitting on her piano. Carole co-wrote the song for Aretha and then had her own iconic version on her Tapestry album. When they revisited the music with a Tapestry Revisited in the 90s with covers by A listers, Aretha joined BeBe and CeCe Winans on You've Got a Friend In Me, and Celine Dion covered this song.
"Looking out on the morning rain...." and she's got the entire room in her pocket. Boom. Incredible stage presence without a lot of flare. What a voice!!! THANK YOU ARNIE!!!!
Also what was so special about this performance was that this was during the last part of her life and she didn’t play piano that much anymore during her performances. R.I.P Queen. ❤
Her initial reaction was moving and heartfelt. After that she was annoying - because she clearly kept yelling. You can see the Obama's secret service give her the side eye. She didn't ruin Aretha's performance for the auditorium or home audience, but she clearly spoiled it for the those unfortunate enough to share the honorees box. It was an egotistical indulgence.
Kennedy Center Honors are so joyful and moving to watch! You really should watch the full show honouring Billy Joel, it's only about 20min long but soooo good!
I was fortunate enough to see this icon in the early 90’s in Charlotte NC. Aretha playing the piano and singing was a religious experience. She was truly the Queen of Soul. And bless Carole King for writing this masterpiece, along with so many others.
@@surlechapeau I remember listening to their songs when I was a youngster back in the early 1960's. I didn't realize that she was also a singer until Tapestry was first released
On my first date with my senior high boy (fall ‘66), Aretha Franklin’s RESPECT was on the radio. It became our song. Skip to January 1968, 2nd semester of college at SJSU and I’m sitting in the Student Union at 7 AM studying because I work several nights a week and on weekends to pay for school. A really tall guy walks in and before he dits down, he put a lot of coins in the jukebox. A song I’d never heard before starts playing on repeat for the next hour. It’s Aretha Franklin’s “Ain’t No Way!” To this day, it’s still my favorite Aretha song. Not her biggest hit, but I think her best song! Listen to it….oh, by the way, that tall young black man, who was so polite and friendly, and who was in there every time I was there, playing that song continuously. His name was Johnny Carlos (John). He went on to win a medal in track at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico that year…but he’s not famous for that. He’s known for raising a black fist on the medal podium in protest and was stripped of his medal 😢 He’s since been reinstated and medal returned. There’s now a beautiful bronze statue of him raising his fist on the podium on our college campus.
Beautiful performance, by an icon who made this song famous. Carol King was one of the best si German songwriters ever. Loved this performance. Thank you, my friend. Much love to you and your family ❤️ 🫂.
Belgium may not be known for international pop stars BUT your list of fashion designers is long and illustrious! Dries Van Noten, Raf Simons, Martin Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester, Diane Von Furstenburg and sooo many more! ⭐️❤️
Carole King and her then-husband Gerry Goffin wrote tons of hit songs in the early 1960s -- including "Chains" that The Beatles covered on their debut album that you've reacted to.
Hey Saeed, Thanks for playing my request. So glad you got to see your first (but not last Aretha performance). Now you can see why they call her "The Queen Of Soul". Wait till you hear some of her younger performances! And I'm sure you will be hearing some Carole King herself pretty soon!
Fun fact. The King of Rock and Roll ...Elvis Presley died August 16, 1977. The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin died August 16 2018. The King was there to meet the Queen when she arrived. Can you imagine the soulful jam session going in in heaven.
🔥🎼 .. what a joy to watch this again ! Aretha had the "it factor" and deserves every bit of praise she receives. I would have been standing and cheering also. .. much 🩷 love for this one Saeed.
Incredible song and epic performance. Thanks for watching. Greetings from Belgium. Ps: I just posted a version sung by Carole King on the Free tier of my patreon. It was blocked on UA-cam.
Aretha Franklin still had it. RIP Aretha. You are so very missed! I am sure Carole King was amazed! The reaction on her face says it all! Love your reaction!
You have just hit the mother lode of singers with Aretha Franklin (Queen Of Soul). This lady started out singing gospel music, then R&B, but could do many genres. She had so many hits especially in the 60's-70's including "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)", "Respect", "Chain of Fools", "Think", "I Say A Little Prayer" etc.
The Kennedy Center Honors are now run by the board of the Kennedy Center, a non-profit arts organization. The original 1978 creators' idea was to honor major contributors to US arts & culture, similar to honors awarded by some European countries. The annual December activities usually include a ceremony at the US State Department, a White House reception, and the gala concert at the Kennedy Center that the president usually but not always attends (Trump never did). There are five honorees every year; the 2024 honorees will be Francis Ford Coppola, the Grateful Dead, Bonnie Raitt, Arturo Sandoval and the Apollo Theater.
@@SaeedReacts. I can't wait to find out who will be performing the musical tribute to the Grateful Dead and which song they will do. The Dead have a very specific sound.
Aretha Franklin was still great in 2015, but years of smoking and health issues had inevitably made some demage in her voice and range. For the best Aretha, go back to her 1967-74 golden period. Any studio recording or live performance, even the deep tracks there are so inspired, having the golden touch like Dylan in mid-60s.
Now you have to check out me first and the gimme gimmes cover of this song. Punk at it's finest. There's just something about a man singing you make me feel like a natural woman at the top of his lungs.... that's how great this song is.
Hi Saeed, I don't know if you have seen the Led Zeppelin Tribute at Kennedy Center, specially Stairway to Heaven by Heart. If you haven't, you should, you are going to enjoy it 1000%.
Of course, Carole King wrote this song and sang it. Aretha gave it it's amazing quality. But you should react to Aretha singing this when she was young, as amazing as she is in this performance, she is quite elderly here.
Hey, Saeed, I'm from Germany and I happen to know some Belgian artists that I like. The oldest and possibly most famous would be Vaya Con Dios. Later on I discovered Selah Sue and Melanie De Biasio, and most recently the band Brutus who I like more and more each time I listen to their album Unison Life. Do you know them?
Stephen Colbert was the MC of this event. He tells the story of when this performance was starting, he was in the wings next to the Stage Manager and said to the man, “I wish I had seen her in her prime.” About 40 seconds into the performance, Stephen turned back to the SM and said, “I’m an idiot.”
Two legends: Carole King, the voice of a women generation and Aretha Franklin, the queen of soul music!!! Just amazing!!!
Carol King - one of the finest songwriters ever !!! Tapestry is a gem of an album
Aretha is the Queen of Soul music. She was still singing strong in her later years when her health was failing. We are blessed to have had Aretha grace this earth with her magnificent soulful vocals.
She took us to church and this performance was like a miracle and TG we get to watch again and again,
Amen
😊
This is THE best live performance ever.
Aretha sauntered out and Her inside voice said, Let me tell you bout me 😂❤.
This performance gave me chills
You know you've made it when the backing choir is facing you and not the audience. This is my all-time favourite performance!
I' ve heard that the toral surprise in Carol face, is because Aretha did not travel by plane almost for 20 years and despite being a great pianist, she don't use to play in her performances.
I saw this on tv and it blew my mind. I believe she was 73 when this was taped. A legend forever! ♥ Thank you, Saeed
The composer- legendary pop writer , Carole King- was being honored that night. She didn’t know Aretha was going to be there- hence her reaction you see.
Aretha was 73 with cancer here. Amazing.
My roommate and me were watching this broadcast in our respective bedrooms and when Aretha dropped that coat we both screamed QWEEEEEN! at the same time! Good times, good memories, and a fabulous performance. And she was sick with cancer! Carol was so blown away by the whole thing.
Hands down the best performance of this song ever. The whole performance is just phenomenal , and when you get a standing ovation beginning at the end rows and while you are still singing...thats when you know you are the Queen.
One of the best live performances of all time. No pitch correction or autotune unlike singers today.
A monumental woman, a monumental performance. How can people not know the music of Aretha? She is named the greatest popular singer of all time on just about every list. Her voice here is not the same as when she was in her vocal prime - but the magnificent LION ROARED, one last time.
What I love about Aretha was she always dressed to the nines for the stage, furs, jewels, and an iconic handbag. The deal with the handbag was she didn't trust banks or promoters, and she made sure she and her crew were paid in cash, and that handbag was where the money went for the show, and that handbag went onto the stage with her for the show so she kept an eye on it. If you look at just about any old public performance, there is a handbag sitting on her piano. Carole co-wrote the song for Aretha and then had her own iconic version on her Tapestry album. When they revisited the music with a Tapestry Revisited in the 90s with covers by A listers, Aretha joined BeBe and CeCe Winans on You've Got a Friend In Me, and Celine Dion covered this song.
She was an amazing powerhouse. She put all her passion into her singing
"Looking out on the morning rain...." and she's got the entire room in her pocket. Boom. Incredible stage presence without a lot of flare. What a voice!!! THANK YOU ARNIE!!!!
A true icon. Amazing performance.
Listening home alone...she brought me to my feet! Love her!!
Also what was so special about this performance was that this was during the last part of her life and she didn’t play piano that much anymore during her performances. R.I.P Queen. ❤
Definitely top 5 woman singers of all time. It's incredible the power she had even at this age and without cracks
Aretha’s “I say a little prayer for you” is also magnificent.
stunning performance of this song: "I don't need to do more" shattering
Aretha is the Queen, but Carole King's reaction is everything.❤❤
Her initial reaction was moving and heartfelt. After that she was annoying - because she clearly kept yelling. You can see the Obama's secret service give her the side eye. She didn't ruin Aretha's performance for the auditorium or home audience, but she clearly spoiled it for the those unfortunate enough to share the honorees box. It was an egotistical indulgence.
Kennedy Center Honors are so joyful and moving to watch! You really should watch the full show honouring Billy Joel, it's only about 20min long but soooo good!
I was fortunate enough to see this icon in the early 90’s in Charlotte NC. Aretha playing the piano and singing was a religious experience. She was truly the Queen of Soul. And bless Carole King for writing this masterpiece, along with so many others.
you could been a good disk jockey on the radio back in the 1970's and 80's you have great voice for the radio
You hear so many songs on the radio but you never realised Carol wrote them
@JohnLedger-g4i Gerry Goffin wrote this one and Carole's other early hit songs. He was the lyricist, she did the music.
@@surlechapeau I remember listening to their songs when I was a youngster back in the early 1960's. I didn't realize that she was also a singer until Tapestry was first released
Oh my, my...I'm stunned by this performance of Aretha's. Goosebumps all over, have to watch it again. ❤
On my first date with my senior high boy (fall ‘66), Aretha Franklin’s RESPECT was on the radio. It became our song. Skip to January 1968, 2nd semester of college at SJSU and I’m sitting in the Student Union at 7 AM studying because I work several nights a week and on weekends to pay for school. A really tall guy walks in and before he dits down, he put a lot of coins in the jukebox. A song I’d never heard before starts playing on repeat for the next hour. It’s Aretha Franklin’s “Ain’t No Way!” To this day, it’s still my favorite Aretha song. Not her biggest hit, but I think her best song! Listen to it….oh, by the way, that tall young black man, who was so polite and friendly, and who was in there every time I was there, playing that song continuously. His name was Johnny Carlos (John). He went on to win a medal in track at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico that year…but he’s not famous for that. He’s known for raising a black fist on the medal podium in protest and was stripped of his medal 😢
He’s since been reinstated and medal returned. There’s now a beautiful bronze statue of him raising his fist on the podium on our college campus.
Aretha is the QUEEN. I hope she was buried with a crown 👑
I've always loved Aretha's duet with George, I Knew You Were Waiting❤❤
Beautiful performance, by an icon who made this song famous. Carol King was one of the best si German songwriters ever. Loved this performance. Thank you, my friend. Much love to you and your family ❤️ 🫂.
Belgium may not be known for international pop stars BUT your list of fashion designers is long and illustrious! Dries Van Noten, Raf Simons, Martin Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester, Diane Von Furstenburg and sooo many more! ⭐️❤️
Heading' to church today! Beautiful and soul-stirring song from "The Queen."
When even the backup singers have more class, musicality and charisma than the recent top 10 !
This is one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced. Top live performance. Aretha was a goddess on Earth.
Carole King and her then-husband Gerry Goffin wrote tons of hit songs in the early 1960s -- including "Chains" that The Beatles covered on their debut album that you've reacted to.
HER MAJESTY...THE QUEEN!!!
tears in my eyes and a smile on my face love it
Saeed, you should also check out Adam Lambert's version of Cher's song, BELIEVE at the Kennedy Center Honors. Simply amazing voice!
Yes, please!
The Kennedy Center Honors events usually honor 4 or 5 people at a time from the Arts….writer, directors, producers and performers.
One of the most beautiful songs; performance from Aretha. 😊❤
You need to do Carole's album Tapestry, a masterpiece.
One of the greats….. jazz, blues…. Some styles are the soul of music ❤C
My favorite singer, great !!! ❤
Hey Saeed, Thanks for playing my request. So glad you got to see your first (but not last Aretha performance). Now you can see why they call her "The Queen Of Soul". Wait till you hear some of her younger performances! And I'm sure you will be hearing some Carole King herself pretty soon!
What a performance! Definitely looking forward to discover more. Thanks again!
Carol said in an interview a friend of hers was sitting in the front row and when she dropped her coat you could hear the thud
Fun fact. The King of Rock and Roll ...Elvis Presley died August 16, 1977.
The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin died August 16 2018.
The King was there to meet the Queen when she arrived. Can you imagine the soulful jam session going in in heaven.
I think this was Aretha's last performance. What a gem!
🔥🎼 .. what a joy to watch this again ! Aretha had the "it factor" and deserves every bit of praise she receives. I would have been standing and cheering also. .. much 🩷 love for this one Saeed.
A true icon. Epic performance. Thanks for watching.
Fantastic! Heard this song sung by other especially for a talent show. This is on another level by a legend. Tx Saeed. Greetings from South Africa
Incredible song and epic performance.
Thanks for watching. Greetings from Belgium.
Ps:
I just posted a version sung by Carole King on the Free tier of my patreon. It was blocked on UA-cam.
A legend.
Aretha Franklin still had it. RIP Aretha. You are so very missed! I am sure Carole King was amazed! The reaction on her face says it all! Love your reaction!
Great performance by a true legend. Thanks for watching!
In alternate clips, you can see Dame Julie Andrews in the front audience cheering her on! 😊❤
Aretha just took us to church!
Saeed, another present for me. I love this performance with Aretha in her 80, in the Kennedy Center of Honours. Thank you very much. Aba
Jerry is Carol exhusband
You should check out Aretha's performance of nessum dorma. She stepped in for Pavoratti basically at the last minute. It is epic.
Definitely interested to hear her version of that song! Thanks for letting me know about it.
J'adore !
Amazing lyrics and vocald by Aretha. You'll love Carol's songs and also James Taylor.
Looking forward to discover more.
That's two national treasures right there!
What a performance!
100%. Epic!
That fur drop! Dang!
Obama was wiping away a tear as soon as she sang a note. ❤
Fantabulous
You have just hit the mother lode of singers with Aretha Franklin (Queen Of Soul). This lady started out singing gospel music, then R&B, but could do many genres. She had so many hits especially in the 60's-70's including "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)", "Respect", "Chain of Fools", "Think", "I Say A Little Prayer" etc.
The Kennedy Center Honors are now run by the board of the Kennedy Center, a non-profit arts organization. The original 1978 creators' idea was to honor major contributors to US arts & culture, similar to honors awarded by some European countries. The annual December activities usually include a ceremony at the US State Department, a White House reception, and the gala concert at the Kennedy Center that the president usually but not always attends (Trump never did). There are five honorees every year; the 2024 honorees will be Francis Ford Coppola, the Grateful Dead, Bonnie Raitt, Arturo Sandoval and the Apollo Theater.
Thank you for taking the time to share some more info, Ruth! Much appreciated.
@@SaeedReacts. I can't wait to find out who will be performing the musical tribute to the Grateful Dead and which song they will do. The Dead have a very specific sound.
Just three years before she passed away
You should react to the video where the BeeGees sing their contribution to Carol King's Tribute album. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow. Top drawer.
Aretha Franklin is THE BEST! So is Carole King!
Aretha Franklin was still great in 2015, but years of smoking and health issues had inevitably made some demage in her voice and range. For the best Aretha, go back to her 1967-74 golden period. Any studio recording or live performance, even the deep tracks there are so inspired, having the golden touch like Dylan in mid-60s.
Her Columbia records were quite astonishing too. She just hadn't been set free yet. Her version of If Ever I Would Leave You is beyond beautiful.
Please check out Vanessa Amorossi version of natural woman🚀🚀🚀
Now you have to check out me first and the gimme gimmes cover of this song. Punk at it's finest. There's just something about a man singing you make me feel like a natural woman at the top of his lungs.... that's how great this song is.
This makes me want you to react to Nina Simone - Mississippi Goddman (live in NY 1964). Such a great performance.
Definitely an artist that is on my list. Thanks for the recommendation.
@@SaeedReacts. Nina does a MEAN version of "The Pusher" written by Hoyt Axton and made famous by Steppenwolf
Aretha had such a terrible life but she could still put emotion into anything
Pain and suffering can make your musical abilities take off. It's a release of the pain.
Hi Saeed, I don't know if you have seen the Led Zeppelin Tribute at Kennedy Center, specially Stairway to Heaven by Heart. If you haven't, you should, you are going to enjoy it 1000%.
Well, you got Vaya con dios ;) I like Dani's voice ;)
We do! Great point! 😄
Back when we had a President we could be proud of.
Of course, Carole King wrote this song and sang it. Aretha gave it it's amazing quality. But you should react to Aretha singing this when she was young, as amazing as she is in this performance, she is quite elderly here.
Hey, Saeed, I'm from Germany and I happen to know some Belgian artists that I like. The oldest and possibly most famous would be Vaya Con Dios. Later on I discovered Selah Sue and Melanie De Biasio, and most recently the band Brutus who I like more and more each time I listen to their album Unison Life. Do you know them?
Hey! I know Vaya Con Dios and Selah Sue. I have heard of Brutus, but not familiar with their music.
❤❤❤
❤️❤️❤️
Did you notice Pres😮Obama
I did. Very emotional reaction to this amazing performance.
Aretha was I'll.... but she showed up for Carole.
Hi there could you Please check out one of these Earl Thomas Conley "HONOR BOUND " TY
I'd rather watch her sing Respect in the Blues Brothers than have to see the Obummers ever again...they just suck
You know that the couple is Barry and Michelle Obama, right?
I do.
I read both books of Michelle Obama and also Barack Obama's book.
Belgium has the distinction of being the birthplace of the greatest singer in the world...Lara Fabian. So don't sell yourselves short. 😃
You make a great point! 😃
❤❤❤❤