Franklin Takes To The Stage With Rice
By VJ, WENNWednesday, July 28, 2010
ARETHA FRANKLIN put aside her political views to perform with U.S. Republican politician CONDOLEEZZA RICE for a charity concert on Tuesday (27Jul10).
The soul star, a staunch Democrat who sang at President Barack Obama’s inauguration, appeared on stage for a three-hour concert with classically trained pianist Rice - a Republican who served as an aide to President George W. Bush.
The Respect hitmaker belted out her hits and a number of classical arias, while the former U.S. secretary of state played piano accompaniment alongside an orchestra at the Mann Music Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Introducing her song I Say a Little Prayer, Franklin told the crowd of 8,000: “You didn’t think she could play it, right?”
The concert was expected to raise $580,000 (£387,000) for an arts program which helps underprivileged children, reports Reuters.
