Remembering Aretha Franklin: Duetting Live With Elton John, Smokey Robinson & More In 1993

Aretha Franklin died two years ago today. The Queen Of Soul was a more than deserved moniker for the legendary singer. Everything about Aretha exuded power: her voice, her presence, her activism. She had the power to move everyone who heard her sing and the power to bring some of music’s biggest names together for a night of amazing music.

This is exactly what happened in 1993 when Smokey Robinson, Elton John, Rod Stewart and more got together for the TV Special — Aretha Franklin: Duets. The program, which aired on May 3, 1993 kicked off with the aforementioned singers backing The Queen Of Soul on her classic “Chain Of Fools.” Aretha then joined Elton for his own “Border Song” (Franklin often covered the Elton John classic) and Smokey on his “Just To See Her.” Franklin teamed up with Bonnie Raitt and Gloria Estefan on the Carole King-penned “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and more. Aretha also delivers a stellar solo performance of “I Never Loved A Man.”

Watch Aretha Franklin: Duets below via misssharid for this edition of Sunday Cinema:

Setlist:

• Chain Of Fools Feat. Elton John, Smokey Robinson, and Rod Stewart
• Chain Of Fools (Reprise)
• Border Song Feat. Elton John
• Coming Out of The Dark Feat. Gloria Estefan
• Just To See Her Feat. Smokey Robinson
• I Never Loved A Man
• Think Feat. P.M. Dawn
• (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone Feat. Bonnie Raitt
• (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman Feat. Gloria Estefan and Bonnie Raitt
• This Old Heart of Mine Feat. Rod Stewart
• People Get Ready Feat. Rod Stewart
• Spirit In The Dark Feat. Elton John
• Spirit In The Dark (Reprise) Feat. All Stars