VH1 Divas Live: The One And Only Aretha Franklin

This all-star tribute to Aretha Franklin at New York's Radio City Music Hall gave props to a woman who has been at the center of American music since arriving on the scene in the mid '60s. Franklin easily adapted herself to a variety of guests, crooning with the Backstreet Boys on "Chain of Fools," matching wails with Mary J. Blige on "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man," and letting Kid Rock storm her barn on "Rock Steady." She even joined a jazz ensemble led by Herbie Hancock for a little scat. Marc Anthony and Celia Cruz saluted the First Lady of Soul with salsa. Neo-soul up-and-comer Jill Scott made "A Natural Woman" feel like the real thing, and the New Jersey Mass Choir accompanied Franklin's assault on the hymn "Precious Memories." Janet Jackson, Sigourney Weaver, Renée Zellweger, Stevie Wonder and the Sopranos cast were among those looking on in awe.

The concert was released on CD/DVD in 2017 by MVD Visual.

Headliners:

Aretha Franklin Marc Anthony Mary J. Blige Backstreet Boys Celia Cruz Nelly Furtado Jill Scott Kid Rock

Guest performers:

Bishop Paul Morton & Choir James Carter Ron Carter Herbie Hancock Roy Haynes Russell Malone Clark Terry Stevie Wonder

Presenters:

Pamela Anderson Lorraine Bracco Drea de Matteo Edie Falco Janet Jackson Aida Turturro Sigourney Weaver Renée Zellweger

Show sequence:

Aretha Franklin – "I Can't Turn You Loose" Aretha Franklin and Backstreet Boys – "Chain Of Fools" Aretha Franklin – "Ain't No Way" Marc Anthony and Celia Cruz – "Quimbara" (Not released on CD or DVD) Jill Scott – "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman" Jill Scott – "A Long Walk" Aretha Franklin – "Think" Nelly Furtado – "I'm Like a Bird" (Not released on CD or DVD) Mary J. Blige – "Day Dreaming" Mary J. Blige and Aretha Franklin – "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" Aretha Franklin – "Nessun Dorma" Aretha Franklin with Herbie Hancock, Clark Terry, Ron Carter, Roy Haynes, James Carter, and Russell Malone – Mumbles (Not released on CD or DVD) Aretha Franklin and Kid Rock – "Rock Steady" Aretha Franklin with Bishop Paul Morton & Choir – "Precious Memories" Aretha Franklin – "Respect" Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, Celia Cruz, Nelly Furtado, Backstreet Boys, Stevie Wonder, Marc Anthony, Herbie Hancock, Clark Terry, Ron Carter, Roy Haynes, James Carter, Russell Malone, and Aretha Franklin's Band – "Freeway Of Love" )Only released on DVD)