Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston are two of the most iconic singers of all time, with powerful and soulful voices that have influenced generations of music lovers. But were they related by blood, or just by bond? Here is the truth behind their incredible friendship and how they became honorary family members.
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The Queen of Soul and the Queen of Pop
Aretha Franklin, also known as the Queen of Soul, was born in 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee. She began singing in church as a child and became a gospel star at a young age. She later crossed over to secular music and signed with Atlantic Records in 1966, where she achieved her breakthrough success with hits like “Respect”, “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)”, and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”. She went on to win 18 Grammy Awards, sell over 75 million records worldwide, and become one of the most influential singers in history. She was also a civil rights activist and a friend of Martin Luther King Jr.
Whitney Houston, also known as the Queen of Pop, was born in 1963 in Newark, New Jersey. She grew up in a musical family, with her mother Cissy Houston being a gospel singer and her cousin Dionne Warwick being a pop star. She started singing in church as well and was discovered by Clive Davis, who signed her to Arista Records in 1983. She became an instant sensation with her debut album Whitney Houston, which featured hits like “Saving All My Love for You”, “How Will I Know”, and “Greatest Love of All”. She went on to win six Grammy Awards, sell over 200 million records worldwide, and become one of the best-selling artists of all time. She also ventured into acting and starred in films like The Bodyguard and The Preacher’s Wife.
How They Met and Became Friends
Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston met when Whitney was just a little girl. Cissy Houston, Whitney’s mother, was a close friend of Aretha’s and sang backup vocals for her on many occasions. Cissy would sometimes bring Whitney along to Aretha’s recording sessions or concerts, where Whitney would watch her perform and learn from her. According to Smooth Radio, Aretha remembered Whitney as a “kind of shy, lovely girl, very nice young lady”. She also recalled being impressed by Whitney’s voice when she heard her sing for the first time. “When she hit the soprano, I said, ‘Oh, this little girl can sing! OK, Cissy’s baby can sing!’”, Aretha said.
As Whitney grew up and became a star herself, she maintained a close relationship with Aretha, who she considered as her honorary aunt. Whitney often expressed her admiration and gratitude for Aretha, who she called “Auntie Ree”. She also credited Aretha for inspiring her to pursue music and for being a role model for her. In an interview with MTV in 1986, Whitney said: “She’s always been my favorite singer. I mean I’ve always loved her voice. I’ve always loved what she stood for as a woman.” She also said: “She’s been very supportive of me throughout my career. She’s always given me good advice.”
Aretha also showed her love and support for Whitney throughout her career. She praised her talent and achievements and collaborated with her on several occasions. They recorded a duet called “It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be” in 1989, which was released as a single from Aretha’s album Through the Storm. They also performed together at various events, such as the VH1 Divas Live concert in 1998 and the BET Honors ceremony in 2012.
The Tragic Losses and the Legacy
Unfortunately, both Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston faced tragic losses in their lives. Whitney Houston died at the age of 48 on February 11, 2012, after accidentally drowning in her bathtub due to drug intoxication and heart disease. Her death shocked the world and left millions of fans heartbroken. Aretha Franklin was one of them. She was supposed to perform at Whitney’s funeral but had to cancel due to health issues. She later paid tribute to Whitney by singing “I Will Always Love You” at a concert in New York.
Aretha Franklin died at the age of 76 on August 16, 2018, after battling pancreatic cancer for several years. Her death also saddened the world and marked the end of an era. Cissy Houston was one of the people who mourned her passing. She released a statement to People magazine saying: “Aretha was my dear friend who I will deeply miss. I have known Aretha for over 50 years … We have shared heartbreak, loss … as well as exaltation and great laughter … And we’re old and very good friends and she used to bring Whitney to some of my recording sessions.” She also said: “Although my heart is broken, my soul rejoices that I was able to watch God move through Aretha’s life. God bless you Re, I will always love you.”
Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston may not have been related by blood, but they were related by bond. They shared a friendship that spanned decades and transcended generations. They also shared a passion for music that touched the hearts and souls of millions of people around the world. They are both legends who will never be forgotten. They are both sisters in soul.
