"Sock It to Me"

[Benjamin Zimmer]

On Mon, 6 Jun 2005 15:12:30 -0400, Wilson Gray <hwgray at GMAIL.COM> wrote:

>Sam, did you see the television show?

I won't speak for Sam (and as I said I wasn't born yet when this program
aired), but the contemporaneous print coverage available on Proquest all
suggests that Aretha was far from an "unknown" at the time.

-----
Los Angeles Times, May 5, 1968, p. P47
"The Singers: Two Profiles," 9:30 p.m. (7) Aretha Franklin and Gloria
Loring are featured in a documentary about the singing business. Miss
Franklin personifies the singer at the top of her occupation. Miss Loring
is a good example of the newcomer, currently breaking into what has been
described as the "loneliest profession in the world."
-----
Chicago Tribune, May 7, 1968, p. B19
"The Singers: Two profiles," an ABC-TV special to be shown at 8:30 p.m,
Chicago time, Saturday, will contrast the careers and singing styles of
two "stars" -- Aretha Franklin and Gloria Loring, which is a little like
comparing the aurora borealis to a Fourth of July sparkler.
But while Aretha has the big name and professional awards, Gloria has
another essential of success -- confidence. ... Not bad for her age, but
not exactly on the same plane as the First Lady of soul music -- Miss
Franklin.
-----
Los Angeles Times, May 11, 1968, p. B2
Two Singers: Two Profiles (Color). This one hour documentary examines the
lives and careers of Aretha Franklin and Gloria Loring. Miss Franklin,
chosen the female vocalist of the year in 1967 by several publications,
can't read a line of music. Miss Loring, however, studies music
constantly. Each has the same goal: success.
-----
Los Angeles Times, May 11, 1968, p. B3
Tonight's special viewing comes on ABC's "The Singers: Two Profiles," an
hour's look at the on-and-off stage lives of top recording artist Aretha
Franklin and newcomer Gloria Loring.
-----

One possibility that might explain your recollection... If the documentary
had footage of Aretha's earlier days of recording for Columbia, then that
would surely portray her as an "unknown" to white audiences at the time.
As Sam pointed out, she only became a breakout star once she made the move
to Atlantic in 1967.


--Ben Zimmer