A new TV Anthology series centered on R&B and Soul pop star, Aretha Franklin, is set to be premiered by National Geographic (Nat Geo). The series which is planned to start on March 21 has been titled Genius: Aretha. Consecutively, it will premiere for four nights.
According to The Christian Post, the show will encompass the musical career of Franklin. This includes her early start when she was 12 years old. At that age, she was unable to read music but she made it a decision to teach herself how to play the piano. Likewise, the series will include her gospel tours she had with her father. At age 18, Franklin signed her first record with Columbia Records. Most of her iconic songs were recorded at Atlanta Records which she got signed to in 1966.
Her friendship and partnership with Clive Davis began in 1979 and it spanned into a period of 40 years. The partnership equally created a number of hit songs for the singer. Cynthia Erivo, who’s singing and acting skills are well known, will be acting Aretha Franklin. She will be singing many of Aretha’s songs in the series. Erivo has won many awards in the cause of her career. She bagged a Grammy and a Tony Award in 2017 for her effort in The Color Purple.
Franklin’s father will be acted by Courtney B. Vance (“Joyful Noise”). The other cast in the series are David Cross (“Arrested Development”) as legendary music producer Jerry Wexler; Malcolm Barrett (“Preacher”) as Ted White, Franklin’s first husband and business manager; Rebecca Naomi Jones (“Oklahoma!”), and Patrice Covington (“The Color Purple”).
Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee. Her father, Clarence LaVaughn "C. L" Franklin, was a Pastor of Detroit's New Bethel Baptist Church. At age 10, she was a formidable voice in her church where she used to sing. At age 14, her first album titled Songs of Faith was recorded. During that period, she was signed to J.V.B. Records and she was managed by her father.
Post a Comment