The Queen Next Door
Aretha Franklin, An Intimate Portrait
A book offering an unseen look at Aretha Franklin’s life, captured through photography and stories
Watch “Inspiring America / The Other Side of Aretha Franklin”
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Indie Book 2020 honor
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2020 Michigan Notable Book
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Painted Turtle Books newspaper review
About
The Queen Next Door: Aretha Franklin, an Intimate Portrait is a book full of firsts as Solomon was invited not only to capture historical events in Aretha’s music career showcasing Detroit, but to join in with the Franklin family’s most intimate and cherished moments in her beloved hometown. From performance rehearsals with James Brown to off-camera shenanigans while filming a music video with the Rolling Stones, from her first television special to her first time performing with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, to her last performance with her sisters at her father’s church and her son’s college graduation celebration, this book offers a new look at Aretha Franklin’s life.
In the book’s afterword, Sabrina Garrett Owens, Franklin’s niece, honors her aunt, a woman who was an overwhelming supporter of civil rights, women’s rights, and fundraising campaigns that helped to benefit her hometown. There was a time in her career—when Aretha Franklin was more in demand than ever before— when she insisted that if someone wanted her to perform, they had to come to Detroit. During this time all of her major concerts, national television specials, music videos, and commercials would happen in Detroit.
Aretha Franklin showed her respect for the people in the city who championed her from the very beginning when she started singing as a young girl in the church choir. Franklin used to say, “I am the lady next door when I am not on stage.” Through both photography and written word, The Queen Next Door is a book that offers fans a personal and unseen look at an extraordinary woman in her most natural moments—both regal and intimate—and highlights her devotion to her family and her hometown Detroit—“forever and ever.”
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Reviews
“Aretha and I grew up together. She was the sister I never had. Her parents were parents of both of us. She is more than a Queen of Soul. She’s a Queen of Caring, a Queen of Social Justice.
She stood with Dr. King and she stood for Nelson Mandela. This beautiful book captures her essence.”
– Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Jr., founder and president of Rainbow PUSH Coalition
“Linda’s got ‘it’—what a great artist!”
– Tony Bennett, entertainer
“Linda Solomon is a Michigan treasure. She photographs celebrities and friends with equal enthusiasm, all the while devoting much of her time teaching others to enjoy the profession she loves.”
– James J. Blanchard, former Governor for the State of Michigan
“A picture is worth a thousand words, and with Linda no words were needed with she and Aretha. A powerful, emotional journey of photos that are beyond words and inspires us all to ‘say a little prayer.’ Thank you, Linda Solomon!”
– Isiah Thomas, Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and Detroit Pistons champion
– Robin R. Terry, chairwoman and CEO, Motown Museum
READER COMMENTS
Amazon Review:
A MUST KEEPSAKE!
I happened to catch Ms. Solomon on a morning radio program, speaking of this book and Aretha Franklin!
Well, I received my copy today and I could not put it down!!
That is a truly intimate experience with Aretha, her Career, Life and her Family!!!
It is a Great purchase for yourself and as a gift, it will no disappoint! Aretha’s experience could not have been captured better!!
FOREWORD REVIEWS
A personal peek into the private sphere of an international celebrity, acclaimed photojournalist Linda Solomon chronicles the over three decades of music, love, laughter, and friendship she shared with Aretha Franklin and the Franklin family in The Queen Next Door: Aretha Franklin, an Intimate Portrait. After being hired by Franklin’s brother and business manager to photograph career milestones that met the artist after her move back home to Detroit from California, Solomon discovered that the milestones most important to Franklin were the times spent with her friends and family. From backstage photos with James Brown and Levi Stubbs to homespun Christmases to the iconic pink Cadillac, the 140 photographs collected in the volume reveal the Aretha Franklin who lived outside the spotlight, sure to intrigue music lovers and pop culture enthusiasts alike.
Source: Foreward Review