The Queen Of Soul, Aretha Franklin, playing Verizon Hall on December 29th

Ladies and Gentlemen: The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin is playing Verizon Hall on December 29th. Franklin’s new album Aretha Franklin Sings The Great Diva Classics features the Queen covering Etta James (“At Last”), Gladys Knight (“Midnight Train to Georgia””), Barbra Streisand (“People”), Adele (“Rolling in the Deep”), Chaka Khan (“I Am Every Woman”), Diana Ross (“Ain’t Know Mountain High Enough”), and others.

But while she’s definitely on the circuit promoting her new release, you all know what the people will be there to hear sing – her own diva soul classics – like “Chain of Fools,” “Respect,” “Rock Steady,” “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You),” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and her timeless cover of “Bridge Over Trouble Water.” Since 1967, Franklin has had over 20 number one hit songs. Having established musical and cultural icon status long ago, the singer and songwriter, winner of 18 Grammy Awards, and recipient of The Presidential Medal Of Freedom will be taking to the stage of Verizon Hall for the first time.

Back in 1972, Franklin recorded a live album in Philadelphia, Oh Me Oh My: Aretha Live in Philly, 1972, at the National Association Of Television & Radio Announcers Convention. Below, listen to a medley from that performance of “Bridge Over Troubled Water & We’ve Only Just Begun,” plus a couple other Aretha classics.