.

Report: Aretha Franklin Wants to be a Judge on 'American Idol'

Says she would bring in Patti LaBelle as a sidekick

July 15, 2012 9:40 AM ET
aretha franklin
Aretha Franklin performs in New Orleans.
Erika Goldring/Getty Images

American Idol has had a tough week, with star hosts Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez both announcing that they're leaving the show within days of each other. But the enterprise could now finally see a change in its fortunes, thanks to the Queen of Soul.

CNN reports that in response to an e-mailed query, Aretha Franklin said that she is interested in joining the show as a judge. She said that she has been a longtime fan of the show as a viewer, and would like to take an more active role. She also added that she would bring Patti LaBelle to join her as sidekick. 

Fox has not yet commented on the possibility of adding the 18-time Grammy Award winner to the American Idol judges' table. 

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

prev
Music Main Next

blog comments powered by Disqus
Daily Newsletter

Get the latest RS news in your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Rolling Stone newsletter and special offers from RS and its
marketing partners.

X

We may use your e-mail address to send you the newsletter and offers that may interest you, on behalf of Rolling Stone and its partners. For more information please read our Privacy Policy.

Song Stories

“All Along the Watchtower”

The Jimi Hendrix Experience | 1968

Jimi Hendrix got hold of Bob Dylan's early John Wesley Harding tapes and in late 1967 recorded a version of "All Along the Watchtower" with the Experience in London. Dissatisfied with that first development, Hendrix brought those tapes with him to New York in early 1968 when he began work on Electric Ladyland. Eddie Kramer, Hendrix's engineer at the time, told Rolling Stone that Hendrix "was still looked upon by his basically white audience as the mammoth black guitar hero. There was a constant fight within him to expand himself." Hendrix's successful take on Dylan's work has long been recognized by the songwriter. "I liked Jimi Hendrix's record of this and ever since he died I've been doing it that way," Dylan wrote in the liner notes to his Biograph box set. "Strange how when I sing it, I always feel it's a tribute to him in some kind of way."

More Song Stories entries »