Afterward, she began dating Ken. As the showrunner of Genius: Aretha, I can tell you that every single day (and twice on Sunday! Kecalf Franklin Cunningham (son, born to Aretha Franklin and Ken Cunningham) Date of Birth: March 28, 1970. When asked what he would want people to know about Aretha, who didnt get to know her personally, Turman said the very first thing that comes to his mind is her sense of humor, and he wants people to know that. Aretha was married to Ted White in 1961, when the singer was 19. He continued to say, Aretha had a tremendous sense of humor though he could not recall how many she had in her repertoire of Jokes. But what do we know about thelate singer'stour manager Ken Cunningham? Aretha Franklin with Angela Gheorghiu at Kennedy Center, photo by Florentina Bucos This year's Kennedy Center Honors was livelier than it's been in years, testament Wanda Rivera-Thomas American Music Awards But it was a newly arrived music director at her fathers church, James Cleveland, who, although barely out of his teens himself, helped to focus her early career as a gospel singer. Turman had three children from a previous marriage, and Franklin became their stepmother. Their love affairs didn't last long, but they had one child together. "We have. His name is an acronym of both his father and mothers full names Ken E. Cunningham and Aretha Louise Franklin. He was born on March 28, 1970. Kecalf Cunningham is an American Christian rapper and hip-hop artist. According to the Daily News, Cunningham also took exception to The Queen Next Door: Aretha Franklin, An Intimate Portrait, a 2019 biography from her photographer Linda Solomon. Read also. From powerful, defiant .css-9cezh6{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#E61957;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-9cezh6:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}love songs like Think to celebratory records (You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman, Aretha Franklin was singularly gifted at capturing the gamut of relationships in her work. The estate of Aretha Franklin has reached a deal with the Internal Revenue Service to pay off millions of dollars in federal income taxes that the singer owed during her life, resolving a major. After White had gone she spent several years in a relationship with her road manager, Ken Cunningham, with whom she had a son, Kecalf, in 1970. Tragedy struck when Aretha's father was shot in 1979 and in a coma until his passing in 1984. Teddy was the child of her first husband and one-time manager, Ted White. Aretha Franklin at the Hollywood Christmas Parade with her husband Glynn Turman, her son Kecalf Cunningham, her stepson, and her stepdaughter Stephanie Turman, on November 23, 1978, in Los Angeles | Source: Getty Images Advertisement VICTORIE, A THIRD-GENERATION STAR Rush-released as a 45 that same month, I Never Loved a Man created a sensation. Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul music, didn't have an easy life considering that she had to face challenges such as violence, alcoholism and substance abuse. Her youngest son, Kecalf, was born in April 1970 and is the child of her road manager Ken Cunningham. He is currently based in southwest Florida, and at work on a new record, titled Solitaire. She began her singing career at a young age. Erma also explained that, despite giving birth young, their parents did not see that as a reason for them to stop pursuing their professional dreams. She loved to tell jokes and make people laugh with her jokes. Her parents were Barbara, a singer and Clarence Franklin, a Baptist minister and civil rights activist. Aretha Louise Franklin, from Memphis, Tennessee was born on March 25, 1942, to Mississippi born preacher Clarence LaVaughn Franklin and vocalist and pianist momma Barbara Siggers. He was arrested due to driving under the influence. The Complex History of Aretha Franklin's Children, The Creative Process Behind "Genius: Aretha", Five Lessons We Learned From "Genius: Aretha", Jennifer Hudson Is Starring as Aretha Franklin, Sheryl Lee Ralphs Definition of True Love, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. In 1968 she became only the second African American to appear on the cover of Time magazine, with a story that celebrated her artistry but also hinted at violence within her marriage. No one loves to throw herself a party more than Arethashes been doing that her whole lifebut she told me that this would be the party to end all parties.. On the other side, Aretha explained some artists/ singers are trained for this profession, and others are natural singers. Per Ritzs book, Franklin gave birth to her second child, Eddie, at age 14, and never spoke much about the childs namesake. However, the marriage lasted only for a few years and they divorced in 1984. Aretha Louise Franklin, singer, pianist and songwriter, born 25 March 1942; died 16 August 2018, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, One song, six decades: Aretha Franklin sings (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman - video, 'A womens anthem': Aretha Franklin on Respect video. Though Franklin and Turman did several high-profile interviews with the intention of painting their married life as idyllic, things reportedly started to erode. The father of Franklins first two sons who were born when she was 12 and 14 was reportedly Edward Jordan Sr., according to a handwritten will found after Franklins death. He is recognized as the youngest son of late Aretha Franklin, singer, songwriter, and actress. Here is more about his career and personal life. Aretha Franklin, right; her father, the Baptist preacher CL; and her sister, fellow singer Carolyn 1971. On August 16, 2018, the "Queen of Soul" passed away from a rare form of pancreatic cancer, at the age of 76. He is presently 52 years old and his birth sign is Aries. Aretha Franklin met her first husband, Theodore "Ted" White, in 1954 at one of the parties her father organized. It was an instruction the studio owner ignored, with fateful consequences. Franklins story is coming back into the public focus with a pair of projectsthe Cynthia Erivo-led Genius: Aretha, which is streaming on Hulu, and the Jennifer Hudson-fronted biopic RESPECT, out on August 13. Ted wasnt really talking to me and I was happy not to talk to him. Cunningham was widely recognized as having a positive impact on Aretha and encouraged her to stop drinking and to eat more healthily. Just to know that there was another sister out there who went through some similar difficulties and persevered and she was tenacious.. There was a second gospel album, recorded at her fathers church, in which she sang with her sisters for the first time in many years, and there were duets with younger white artists such as Annie Lennox (Sisters Are Doin It For Themselves, 1985) and George Michael (I Knew You Were Waiting, a No 1 hit in 1987). His father's name is Ken Cunningham. In 1969 Aretha then fell pregnant with her fourth child by road manager Ken Cunningham, who invited her to live with him. He saw us as stars, and thats how we saw ourselves.. They occasionally opened up about their relationship, and Franklin called them a fiery match. The two confirmed an engagement in 2012, but called it off a few weeks later. Undoubtedly, the lady had earned millions of dollars through her dedication to music. He also notably performed with his mother in 2008 at Radio City Music Hall. He is also a singer and songwriter. His parents are Aretha Franklin (mother) and Ken Cunningham (father). She would make some jokes out of the situations that people may not find funny. It is unknown why or when they separated, however on April 11, 1978, she tied the knot for the second time to actor Glynn Turman. His wife's name is Kafi Franklin. Now there was no stopping her. The couple got married several years back. She made her last recording, a diva covers album, in 2014, and announced her retirement from touring three years later. Aretha had four children, and Kecalf Cunningham is her youngest son. Aretha Franklin Led Life of 'Silent Suffering' After Giving Birth Twice by the Age 14. He has written for Billboard, Complex, and i-D, among other outlets. Respect is a 2021 American biographical musical drama film directed by Liesl Tommy (in her feature directorial debut), written by Tracey Scott Wilson and Callie Khouri, based on the life of American singer Aretha Franklin.The film stars Jennifer Hudson as Franklin, with Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, and Mary J. Blige in supporting roles. With Cynthia Erivo, Malcolm Barrett, Patrice Covington, Rebecca Naomi Jones. Kecalf is also musical and is a Christian rapper. Aretha Franklin and Martin Luther King's extraordinary friendship explored in 'Respect' movie His name is an acronym of both his father and mother's full names. The amazing Mrs. Aretha Franklin has been married twice, has four incredible and talented sons. Last year, as MGM prepared for the August 2021 release of Respect, a movie based around the life of Franklin with songstress Jennifer Hudson in the starring role, Kecalf, whose father was Franklin's tour manager, Ken Cunningham, spoke out against the film on his Facebook page, making it clear that he and his siblings had nothing to do with the project. I knew Ted White, as did most entertainers in Detroit, Aretha's sister, the late singer Erma Franklin, said in the book. He came along at just the right time. Kecalf Franklin Cunningham was born on March 28, 1970 to Franklin and her road manager Ken Cunningham, who dated between 1968 and 1976. It got bizarre.". Michael Ochs Archives/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, rarely spoke about her relationship status or personal life. He once worked for Kecalf as a road manager. THE Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, who was one of the most successful American singers of all time, died in August 2018 aged 76 from pancreatic cancer. But although Franklins first release under his supervision was a song called Today I Sing the Blues, her early albums were dominated by familiar show songs and bland covers of recent pop hits. Who was Aretha Franklins tour manager Ken Cunningham? He survived for a further five years without regaining consciousness, and in 1982 Aretha moved back to Detroit to help care for him. A love of music clearly ran in the Franklin family. According to sources, they have six children together, five daughters and a son. Aretha's youngest son, Kecalf Cunningham, was born on March 28, 1970 as a result of an 8-year relationship with her road manager Ken Cunningham, between 1968 and 1976. On a crisp, sparkling day in January 2009, Aretha Franklin stood on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, an ample figure swathed in a spectacular ensemble of coat and hat in two shades of grey, singing My Country, Tis of Thee to her new president. She already knew him. They did have a son, Kecalf, in March 1970. She will be known as one of the most influential singers of all time, and as an activist who spoke of the world through her music, and used music as a tool for truth, justice, and soul. Her marriage to Glynn was billed as the perfect Hollywood relationship. However, in one of the interviews with OWN, the lady had disclosed about being something if not a singer. The actor called Franklin a love of my life and visited her before she died in 2018. They were never married. In 1978, she married actor Glynn Turman and took care of his three children from his former marriage. She was an excellent student who did well in all her classes. Known as the Queen of Soul, she was born into true American royalty as the daughter of one of the most celebrated of the nations black Baptist preachers, the Rev CL Franklin, and his wife, Barbara, a nurses aide and a singer and choirmistress in her husbands church. He helped her stop drinking, she said. Grant Rindner is a culture and music journalist in New York. She made sure to prepare their kids before letting them enter the show business. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Franklin, who has died aged 76, sounded exalted that day. She is also very talented. A handsome, dashing, and successful actor marries a beautiful, glamorous, and successful singer. Erma added, After her fairy tale wedding and her enormous effort to paint a perfect picture in all the magazines, the end of this relationship was especially painful., Franklin and Turman, who had no children together, separated in 1982 and divorced in 1984. After her fairy tale wedding and her enormous effort to paint a perfect picture in all the magazines, the end of this relationship was especially painful.. He is a singer also, but he hasn't revealed his salary and fortune yet. Aretha Franklin's son is a famous gospel rapper who has been passionate about music for a long time now. RELATED VIDEO: Last Detroit Property Owned By Aretha Franklin Sold by Her Estate for $300,000 Kecalf, a Christian rapper, was born . The documentary film Amazing Grace features Aretha Franklin, which is the recording of the most successful gospel album of all time. Cunningham is portrayed as a man who encouraged Franklin to go for a producer credit on her albums, but it's never shown as a great love which is weird when Franklin does the music for. Her road manager on the tour was a successful businessman Cunningham, who Aretha called Wolf. The family. Credit: Getty . "In those years, Arethas story was pretty much a struggle over her career by two menour dad and Ted," Erma said. At the New Temple Missionary church in Los Angeles in 1972 she was reunited with the Rev James Cleveland, now a star in his own right, to make her first gospel record for a decade and a half, with her father and Ward among the congregation. The new Aretha Franklin biopic Respect, which stars Jennifer Hudson as the Queen of Soul, covers a myriad of important events in the singer-songwriters life including her romantic relationships. His father was Aretha's road manager Ken E Cunningham and Kecalf's name is an acronym of both his father and mother's full names. Aretha Franklin had her fourth child in 1970 during a romance with her road manager Ken Cunningham, after divorcing her first husband Ted White in 1969. According to sources in Respect, Franklin was happy to know she was having a child with Cunningham, but was hesitant at the time to marry again following her difficult split from White. Her road manager on the tour was a successful businessman Cunningham, who Aretha called Wolf. They were like best friends. She is survived by her four sons. He criticized her for apparently not talking enough to Franklins family and allegedly not asking for permission to use family photographs. Aretha: Respect: Directed by Anthony Hemingway. In the fall of 1969, Aretha toured Europe. Ken was also serious-minded about art and books and he loved all kinds of music. A fighter for racial and gender justice, she walked off a Vogue photo session in the 60s when she noticed that all the other models were white. If . Franklin and Cunningham lived together but reportedly never married because of Franklin's contentious. But Perry kept telling them that Grace had got stardust and to give her a shot, but Richie and Bryan were not convinced as they both agreed that Grace wasnt ready for the competition, after which Perry walked off the stage. Aretha went right back to school after having Clarence, said her older sister, Erma a Grammy nominated singer who passed away in 2002according Ritz's book. Her main commitment is to her music. Well, to know more about Aretha Franklin's youngest son Kecalf's life, keep reading! Then 1977, Aretha fell head over heels for film star Glynn Turman - and they tied the knot a year later. He has been out of prison since February 26, 2019. Kecalfs father was also another former manager of Franklins, Ken Cunningham. Remember Aretha Franklin with the Queen of Soul's Top 10 Greatest Songs Franklin died on Thursday at the age of 76 after battling pancreatic cancer, her publicist confirmed to PEOPLE. Her road manager on the tour was a successful businessman Cunningham, who Aretha called Wolf. Dennis later . Martin Luther King and Dinah Washington praise Franklin by saying, "You are a legend," "You are talented," and so forth without adding further dimension to her. Aretha Franklin performing at the inauguration as president of Barack Obama in Washington, 2009. Thats the one commitment that will never die.. Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick, Candi Staton, Etta James, Mavis Staples, Tina Turner and many others were (and in some cases still are) great singers, but Aretha Franklin was the greatest of them all. Franklin met Turman, an actor, at a benefit in 1977; the following year, they were married at her fathers church. He's played guitar for his mother's band on plenty occasions. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Aretha Franklin pictured on tour at London's New Victoria Theatra in 1980, Aretha Franklin, son Kecalf Cunningham and granddaughter Victorie Cunningham in 2015, Stars lead tributes to the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin at her funeral which lasted over six hours, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). 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