Fame Musicians to honor Aretha Franklin

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FAME musicians to honor Aretha Franklin
By Russ Corey
Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of FAME Studios
Aretha Franklin takes a break during a recording session at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals in 1967. To Franklin's left is Spooner Oldham, who will join David Hood in a tribute band for a concert saluting the Queen of Soul in Cleveland on Saturday.
Being asked to participate in Saturday’s tribute to legendary soul singer Aretha Franklin is an honor, bassist David Hood said.

He also said it will be a lot of work.

Hood and keyboardist Spooner Oldham will be part of a band that will perform songs Franklin made famous, as well as gospel songs she performed during her long career.

The two noted Shoals musicians were among studio musicians who worked on some of Franklin’s earliest recording sessions at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals.

“I am honored,” Hood said. “There are a bunch of good musicians I’m thrilled to be playing with.”

The event is sponsored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

The 16th annual American Music Masters Lady Soul: The Life and Music of Aretha Franklin, features several days of events, culminating with the Saturday concert. Franklin was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The band includes Hood on bass, Oldham on keys, drummer Milton Sledge, Nashville session guitarist Chris Leuzinger and American Studios Rhythm Section member Bobby Wood on keys.

Chaka Khan, 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee, as well as Lauryn Hill, Carla Cook, Melinda Doolittle, Mike Farris and Cissy Houston, will take turns on vocals.

Case Western University will present Franklin with an honorary doctorate in recognition of her contributions to and achievements in American culture.

Franklin will attend the tribute concert to accept the award but is not scheduled to perform.

Hood said the band was asked to learn a couple of other songs, “Respect” and “Freeway of Love” just in case.

Hood left the Shoals on Thursday and expected to spend all day today rehearsing with the band. A Saturday rehearsal before the show is expected.

“We’ll show up Friday morning and have a bone-crushing rehearsal with all these people in different keys and different styles,” Hood said.

Hood played trombone on “I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You” from Franklin’s first album and played bass on a couple of later albums.

Oldham said he anticipates an eight-hour rehearsal today and another six-hour rehearsal Saturday before the show.

Oldham has worked on five Franklin albums, according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, although he said he only remembers working on three. Either way, he said the material is still familiar, except for the songs Franklin recorded later in her career.

“I’ll be fine,” he said. “I’m not worried.”

Oldham said he’s happy to be remembered for his work with Franklin and to be included in the tribute band.

“I wanted to be a part of it because I was such a part of her past, I felt, recording-wise,” Oldham said.

He said the sessions at FAME with Franklin were some of the most creative and inspiring in his long career.

“They were some of the best I’ve ever worked on,” Oldham said. “We were doing some new songs that people liked, it turned out. It was just a great time. She’s just a joy to be around. We were both in our mid 20s when I first met her.”

Oldham said he’s happy that the tracks he played on with Franklin remain relevant today.

“That’s a good thing,” he said. “It was always one of my hopes and goals to end up playing on some recordings that are timeless. That’s a real thrill.”

Russ Corey can be reached at 256-740-5738 or russ.corey@TimesDaily.com.


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