When Aretha Franklin postponed her January concerts at Radio City, folks were concerned. After all, the legend, who’s been wowing fans for more than half a century — selling some 75 million records and earning the title Queen of Soul for indelible hits like “Respect” and “Chain of Fools” — has experienced some health woes. (She attributed the Radio City cancellations to harsh weather.)
But now the 72-year-old Franklin promises her June 14 and 15 makeup shows will be a “rockin’ sockin’ good time.” She certainly sounded in vigorous spirits when she spoke with The Post — about everything from crushing on Sam Cooke to her new album (she may cover “Bootylicious”!) to her undercover Walmart workout.
You won 19 Grammys. Where do you keep them?
It was 20 — two were honorary. A gentleman that was working for me took two of them to be repaired — they got broken in transit, traveling — and they never came back. So now they stay in a locked cabinet in my house [in Michigan].
What did you do when you moved to NYC in the early ’60s?
I took classes with Cholly Atkins, who later became the choreographer for Motown. He got me ready for “The Ed Sullivan Show,” but I was bounced off the show because they overbooked it. I went through the rehearsals and everything, but the work that we did was never seen.
Were you disappointed?
Oh my, please. I went out the side door crying.
Your father was a pastor in Detroit. Growing up, were you allowed to listen to secular pop music?
We did hear secular music. The artist I liked coming up was Frankie Lymon [“Why Do Fools Fall in Love”]. Everybody liked Frankie Lymon — he was the artist of the day for teens.
Musicians would also come by to visit your father.
The great Dinah Washington occasionally stopped by and came to church. Arthur Prysock, one of the great [jazz] balladeers of the day. Mahalia Jackson. Art Tatum — the greatest pianist out there — would come by, and I would observe him playing. He would have a cigarette in the side of his mouth with an ash as long as maybe six inches. I learned to play piano from James Cleveland, who was one of the great gospel luminaries. I observed him, and when he would get up, I would try [to imitate his playing].
Your late friend Sam Cooke also made the jump to secular music. Do you remember meeting him?
I knew Sam well. We traveled together early on, and Sam was one of the gospel artists that would come to our church. [The first time we met,] Sam and [his brother] LC came. I was sitting on the front row waiting for the program and I happened to look back and saw these two handsome fellows — “Whoa, is this gonna be a good program today!”
Otis Redding wrote “Respect,” but you hit No. 1 with it in 1967. How did you end up recording the song?
I heard it on the radio, and I just loved it. I had no idea that it would be as big as it became. At the time, there was a local cliché: “Sock it to me.” The kids were saying it, and my sister Carolyn and I decided to put that in the background. [Carolyn provided backing vocals.] And then, of course, “Laugh-In” came along and adopted “sock it to me.”
I saw you in Newark last year, and I was exhausted watching you perform. How do you keep in shape?
I have a walking regimen — about three times a week, at least a mile or so. I walk the super Walmarts, the biggest ones. If people are in the aisle and the store happens to be crowded that day, I go to other aisles.
What about when you’re in New York City — do you do your walking on the streets?
I’m on Broadway when I’m in New York, and I walk Seventh Avenue. I like to walk to where I used to live, on 53rd and Seventh Avenue.
Do people stop you?
No, because I keep walking. I don’t like to break my stride.
What’s the latest on your upcoming album?
I think we will be finished no later than July 8. The concept is classics from other divas. One of the things I’m working on is “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele. We may even do [Destiny’s Child’s] “Bootylicious.” I love the beat!