Radio Shows Respect To Aretha Franklin

Songs by Aretha Franklin

Story by Inside Radio and *Kirk Tanter

Radio was quick to pay tribute to The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, upon news of her passing at the age of 76 on Thursday, due to advanced pancreatic cancer. The music of Franklin was heard coast-to-coast as stations aired tributes and produced special programming in honor of the legendary singer.

Radio One urban AC WDMK (105.9) in Franklin’s hometown of Detroit was playing her music non-stop since news of her death came early this morning as was crosstown iHeartMedia urban AC WMXB (92.3). Urban contemporary WGPR (107.5) in the Motor City was airing three-song sets throughout the day.

Bonneville urban AC KBLX-FM (102.9) abandoned regular programming once the news broke as “The Morning Dream Team” shared their thoughts, as did station listeners who called in. “We started at 7am with this tribute and we will continue until 7pm tonight,” operations director/PD Elroy Smith said. “The Aretha Franklin takeover is well deserved.”

The death of Franklin was also acknowledged outside of urban-formatted stations as her music took over the programming at University of Pennsylvania adult alternative WXPN Philadelphia (88.5). Across town at Entercom classic hits WOGL (98.1) midday talent, and market legend, Harvey Holiday, paid tribute to Franklin with a focus on her ‘80s music, including the hit “Freeway of Love.” Pillar of Fire contemporary Christian “Star 99.1” WAWZ Middlesex-Somerset-Union, NJ went all-Aretha on its HD2 channel.

Syndicated radio host Tom Joyner said in a blog post, Franklin “has represented her people well and super-served us with live performances, recorded music, activism, and fierce support of the city she loves so much, Detroit,” he wrote. “As a friend, she has allowed me, my family, and my co-workers into her private world and that’s one of the reasons why I am so protective of her legacy and her love.” Joyner plans a tribute to Franklin on his Friday morning program.

*In the Washington DC Market, Gospel WPRS's Program Director Ron Thompson stated "We are rollin' with all of Aretha Franklin's Gospel music." Urban AC WMMJ's afternoon driver Donnie Simpson played nothin but Aretha including his Mix DJ Rico on his Mix Segment blending all Aretha's biggest hits and live performances, while Simpson was being interviewed by multiple TV News and Entertainment reporters. Nighttime Syndicated host John Monds played all of the Queen of Soul's ballads and smooth "live" tear-jerking gospel masterpieces.

Benztown was quick to produce an audio tribute to Franklin, who is the recipient of 18 Grammy awards and has sold more than 75 million records worldwide. She was the first female performer to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with a career that included 112 charted singles, the most for a female artist in history.

Franklin’s 1967 hit “Respect” had over 300 spins across all formats by late afternoon Thursday, according to Mediabase.