Aretha Franklin’s ‘Letterman’ Performance Has Gone Viral For The Wrong Reasons: Watch Her Sing “Rolling In The Deep”

Mike Wass | September 30, 2014 12:50 pm

Aretha Franklin Sings The Great Diva Classics (due October 21) is a Clive Davis-curated covers album featuring tracks made famous by big-lunged female vocalists like Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand and Adele. Sounds like a great fit for the Queen of Soul, right? Well, last night’s (September 29) performance on the Late Show With David Letterman might change your mind.

The 72-year-old bravely mashed Adele‘s “Rolling In The Deep” with “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” but it wasn’t exactly a triumph. In fact, the video immediately went viral — generating nasty comments about Aretha’s voice and appearance. Trolls even came for Whitney’s mother Cissy Houston, who sang backing vocals (out of time with the rest of the choir). This isn’t the R&B legend’s finest moment but her lower register was on fire. The high notes, however, are best left unmentioned. Watch up top.

Was Aretha’s performance up to scratch? Have your say in the comments below.

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