Aretha Franklin's Birthday, Film Premiere Celebrated

Melody Baetens and Adam Graham
Detroit Free press
11:17 p.m. ET March 25, 2019

Beverly Banthom, of Detroit, left, takes a selfie with singer Martha Reeves during a pre-reception for the premiere of the Aretha Franklin concert film "Amazing Grace" at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Monday evening.

Beverly Banthom, of Detroit, left, takes a selfie with singer Martha Reeves during a pre-reception for the premiere of the Aretha Franklin concert film "Amazing Grace" at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Monday evening. (Photo: David Guralnick, The Detroit News)

It wasn’t a movie. It was church.

The Aretha Franklin documentary “Amazing Grace” celebrated its Detroit premiere on Monday before a rapturous audience that applauded throughout the film, and the evening closed with the crowd singing “Happy Birthday” to the Queen of Soul, who would have turned 77.

Before the screening at the Detroit Film Theatre, a pre-bash was held in the atrium of the nearby Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Attendees, including Martha Reeves, Judge Craig Strong, Bishop Charles Ellis and his wife, Crisette, former Sen. Coleman Young Jr. and former boxer Thomas Hearns, were dressed to the nines, and soul and R&B music blasted from the speakers while the invite-only crowd enjoyed appetizers and drinks. The chilly March evening was a perfect opportunity to don fur coats one last time this season.

Sabrina Owens, niece of Aretha Franklin, enjoys herself at a reception before the premiere of the Aretha Franklin concert film "Amazing Grace" at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Monday evening. (Photo: David Guralnick, The Detroit News)

Franklin’s niece Sabrina Garrett Owens was sparkling in a white and silver sequined dress that was given to her by Franklin.

“I’m very excited about tonight, everybody’s coming out, all the beautiful people,” she said. “I’m looking forward to them seeing the film. I hope they enjoy it as much as I did."

Owens, who helped get the long-shelved film to see the light of day, said she first saw it about three years ago.

“It really moved me,” she said. “The Gospel music just moved me, seeing Aretha during that time period, in her youth, her shyness ... it’s all really nice.”

Owens’ aunt, Earline Franklin, also glittered in sequins. She’s the widow of Franklin’s late brother, the Rev. Cecil Franklin.

“I got a lot of mixed emotions. My husband was in this film,” Earline Franklin said. “He was also the person who closed the deal in 1974 to have this movie shot. I’m just excited for the producers, and for Sabrina and for the family. It’s finally happening.”

Earline Franklin said Detroit is the right city to premiere the film.

“If Aretha was here, she would be having a party," she said. "It would have been Friday or Saturday, because today is her birthday. She would have one in Detroit and one in New York.

“She would be so delighted,” she said of the premiere and party. “We’re just so happy the weather held up and everything is great. The people are beautiful and everything is fine.”

Three of Aretha Franklin's son, Edward, Kecalf, and Clarence, pose for photos during a reception prior to the premiere of the Aretha Franklin concert film "Amazing Grace" at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Monday evening. (Photo: David Guralnick, The Detroit News)

Kecalf Franklin, the Queen of Soul's son, said he was pleased with the outcome of the film.

“I’m very happy that everyone came out and I’m very proud that it’s my Mom’s birthday,” he said.

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Twitter: @melodybaetens