Aretha: 'Side Effects Were Rough' From Undisclosed Illness
Aretha Franklin is speaking out about her recent "rough" health problems, but the legendary singer is not revealing her specific condition.
The 71-year-old "R.E.S.P.E.C.T." singer was forced to cancel several concerts earlier this year for health reasons, but is reportedly eager to start singing again.
On Wednesday, Franklin performed Etta James' "At Last" at the Westin Hotel in a Detroit suburb where she told reporters she was "glad to be back in it" after her elusive health scare, according to the Associated Press.
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Furthermore, the singer revealed that "the side effects we rough" from her treatment for the unidentified illness.
Nevertheless, The Detroit News reported that Franklin is starting a new album with producers Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds and Don Was.
"Everything is fine now," she said, according to USA Today. "I'm good to go."
The Memphis-born, Detroit-raised singer was supposed to have started working on the album in July, but her medical issue prevented work.
"I'm doing a lot of singing right now, just getting my voice back to where it was," she noted.
Recording for the yet-to-be-titled album is scheduled to begin in late November at a Detroit studio. The album will be the latest project between Franklin and record mogul Clive Davis.
"Mr. Davis said he doesn't just want another CD," explained Franklin, USA Today reported. "He wants a blockbuster event."
Moreover, "The Queen of Soul" said the new album would blend pop and R&B together and include cover songs such as Whitney Houston's "How Will I Know."
"I hope to have a really smashing CD that everyone loves," said Franklin. "Including me first."
Franklin's career in music began with singing gospel at her father, minister C. L. Franklin's church as a child. In 1967, the singer rose to fame with commercial acclaimed songs such as "Respect," (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," and "Think."
