x
Breaking News
More () »

Aretha inspired and uplifted Minnesota artists

Jearlyn Steele and Gary Hines reflect on the Queen of Soul's spirit and impact

MINNEAPOLIS -- Aretha Franklin's death Thursday at the age of 76 sent waves of sadness and nostalgia across the globe.

Fans mourned her death and reflected on the iconic musician known as "the Queen of Soul" for her unparalleled artistry and impact on American music stretching back to the late 1960s.

The legendary singer uplifted and inspired many artists, including Twin Cities vocalist Jearlyn Steele.

"She infected -- not affected -- my life," Steele told KARE. "And that’s the most important to me. I can pass that music on, my children and grandchildren can listen to that music."

Steele is part of her family's dynamic vocal group "The Steeles" and performed as a solo artist for many years on "A Prairie Home Companion." She's also worked in local talk radio for many years.

She drew inspiration from the fact that Aretha Franklin, like herself, started her musical journey in a church singing gospel.

"She came out of a Baptist church, and I came out of Pentecostal church. And I couldn't even listen to R&B, or any kind of secular music growing up," Steele recalled.

"I wanted to be a gospel artist only. After I heard her, and saw what she did coming out of a church, I wanted to be more than a gospel singer, I wanted to add pop to it, add jazz to it and so much more."

Gary Hines, the director of the Grammy-winning "Sounds of Blackness" vocal ensemble, said the world would not be the same without Franklin.

"Aretha Franklin was and is, and will always be an international treasure," HInes told KARE.

"Her legacy, her love, through her music will always live on."

Hines said he first met Franklin in 1992 at the Grammy Awards ceremony at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Sounds of Blackness took home a trophy that night, and also performed live on the broadcast with Franklin and the late Luther Vandross.

"It's still kind of surreal, but she just so genteel, just so sweet, cooking food for everybody, making sure everybody was fed," Hines recalled. "And we said, 'Miss Franklin, there are people that get paid to do that,' but soul sister Aretha, beyond all the accolades was still just the heart of a queen as well."

He said the group was honored when Franklin personally requested Sounds of Blackness to sing the tribute to her in 2008 at the NAACP Image awards.

"She could sing all genres of music, every sound of blackness is what Aretha did, and that’s why we’re kindred spirits," Hines explained. "And we love her. She will always be the queen of soul."

It's not an overstatement to say Aretha Franklin provided the soundtrack for many people's lives, and Jearlyn Steele is no exception.

"I can hear a song and remember exactly where I was the first time I heard it," Steele explained.

"There are myriad Aretha Franklin songs, that I can place myself exactly where I was for each one, because it really did affect me! It hurts to lose a voice like that, but thank God we have the music, the CDs, the records."

Before You Leave, Check This Out