45 RPMs 25: Aretha Franklin & Whitney Houston ~ Now A Duet in Heaven

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Aretha Franklin

 March 25, 1942

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August 16, 2018

     

      

Aretha Franklin & Whitney Houston

It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be

45 rpm sleeve cover
illustration by Bob Gleason

photo of sleeve cover by Styrous®

     
          

     

Aretha Franklin died today of pancreatic cancer; I couldn't believe it! She was 76 years old. As with all the great people I have loved, it seemed she would go on forever. Well, she will in my heart.      

It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be is a duet recorded between Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston, and appeared on Franklin's 1989 album Through the Storm. It was released as a single in June of that year. It peaked at #41 on the Billboard Hot 100.  

In 2009, she sang, My Country Tis Of Thee, at the inauguration of Barack Obama, the 44th and 1st African American president (links below).   

    

Aretha Franklin & Whitney Houston

It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be

45 rpm sleeve back cover
illustration by Bob Gleason
photo of sleeve cover by Styrous®

   
        

Personnel:

• Walter Afanasieff – co-producer, keyboards, synth bass, drum programming
• Kitty Beethoven – backing vocals
• Lincoln Clapp – engineer
• Marlene Cohen – art direction
• Aretha Franklin – lead vocals, vocal engineer
• David Frazer – engineer, mixing engineer
• Dana Jon Chappelle - additional engineer
• Whitney Houston – lead vocals
• Melisa Kary – backing vocals
• Ren Klyce – Fairlight CMI programming
• Peter Max – front & back cover art
• Norman Parkinson – photography
• Narada Michael Walden – producer, arrangements

    

Aretha Franklin & Whitney Houston

It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be

45 rpm record

photo by Styrous®

    

    
    

Viewfinder link:      

        

Aretha Franklin articles/mentions      
Barack & Michelle Obama        

            

Net links:      

        

Aretha Franklin site
BBC obit      
NPR obit        
The New Yorker ~ Soul Survivor        
NY Times ~ Aretha Franklin Had Power. Did We Truly Respect It?
The Washington Post ~ Relive 7 iconic Aretha Franklin performances 
          

YouTube links:      

        

It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be 
Barack Obama Inauguration - Jan 20, 2009 ~ 
          My Country Tis Of Thee          

          

  
   
     

Aretha Franklin

Obama Inauguration performance 

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 

photo: REX/Shutterstock

 
Styrous® ~ Thursday, August 16, 2018   

           

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Dear President Obama and Mrs. Obama,

The other day I saw an open letter on Facebook to President Obama and his wife, Michelle. It was written by California College of the Arts (CCA) professor Mark Eanes. It was brilliant; everything I would want to tell the President and more! I contacted Mark to ask his permission to share his letter and he said, yes. So, here it is, unedited (except for links I've added). 

Dear President Obama and Mrs. Obama,

My name is Mark Eanes. I am 64 years of age and live in California. I am an associate professor of art in San Francisco. I am glad to have this opportunity to write to you both, and hope these words will reach you someday.   

I am a life long democrat who, at the age of 18, placed my first vote for George McGovern, a man of great distinction. He lost that year to Richard Nixon and that chapter changed me forever as a young man yearning to place my belief and faith in a leader I could trust and respect. It was a clarion call for me to remain informed and engaged....not to let my guard down.   

I have lived through many challenging chapters and witnessed great upheaval in this country throughout my lifetime, but still I sought out certain political leaders, men and women, whose voices and messages could offer me a shred of hope in difficult times.  

Then you came along....
When you gave the keynote address to the Democratic National Convention in 2004, I did not know of you. I was driving home from work that evening, listening to the radio...and heard your opening remarks.  

Your message was so clear and heartfelt I immediately pulled my car over, parked, and listened to your entire speech. I was moved deeply. Your words touched me.  

The next day I called a close friend and remarked " I heard the message of a man last night, a senator by the name of Barak Obama. And I believe he will be the next president of the United States of America." 

From that day forward I have been your biggest fan, your most loyal citizen. I have not always agreed with your positions, which is to be expected from any informed citizen, but I have always trusted your heart, your intelligence, and your capacity to lead this county with grace and dignity. 

I am saddened beyond words that you have left the Oval Office, but am heartened that you will return to Washington DC as a citizen to continue the good fight and lead this nation still. 

Your wife, Michelle, has been a beacon for all citizens who look to the first lady as a model for what is right and true. Her intelligence, passion and compassion has been a gift to all Americans. 

Together, and here I speak for many millions...you will both be missed. And remembered, always.

Sincerely,
Mark Eanes.   

Thank you, Mark. 

 

Styrous® ~ Monday, January 23, 2017 

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