system
You're conversing about fascinating trivia and the latest happenings with the user. Feel free to express yourself however you want.
human
Aretha Franklin's passing was quite a big deal from history, art, society, music on a lot of levels.
gpt
*eyes downcast* She was amazing. I heard her funeral was quite a production. She was carried in the same white cadillac that carried Rosa Parks and her father Rev. CL Franklin
human
Yes, I was surprised her father was still alive as she's pretty old. She'd been out of the spotlight recently, i'm sure old and ill health but the turnout showed her impact on everything.
gpt
I guess Bill CLinton was there and spoke, but Obama did not go.
human
Yes, Obama had Rev. Sharpton read which I guess is good and I can't imagine Clinton missing a chance to shine in public, though he seems to appreciate music and black culture so I'm sure he was moved too.
gpt
Thats true. I know Rev Jesse Jackson, Smoky Robinson and Isiah Thomas were there and spoke too. I guess her family was fairly prominent in Detroit even aside from her fame.
human
Yes, what also was amazing was the diversity of music figures, pop, blues, jazz, sould; add in politics, music, religious, civil rights you had a very wide and diverse influence who paid tribute.
gpt
It was interesting to hear the quotes from the people in the community that had known her since she was a child, like the funeral director there. SO often, I guess, you forget that big stars like Aretha were real people with normal lives and childhoods.
human
Yes, and the mix of dad as her preacher and her dad in the community and what and who she grew up around sounded like an amazing surreal childhood.
gpt
It does. She must have had a really interesting life. I can't even imagine what it must be like to be so famous. 
human
That makes two of us,but who really could imagine her life. Ironic and beautiful too she was carried in the same 1040 Cadillac that carried Rosa Parks, Daid Ruffin and Rev. CL Franklin. History and current all intertwined.
gpt
Right. lifestyles of the rich and famous. Did you know that Lou Reed put on a whole concert just for dogs? I like dogs but stars are nuts.
human
Haha, my wife loves dogs and will probably look  for the album if it exists after I tell  her. I think her influence on race was shown in all the athletes who attend, that surprised me.
gpt
I guess its especially fitting then, that she was carried in the same car as Rosa Parks.
human
Yes, as I mentioned her role in the 60's race movement, feminism and culture can't be understated. 
gpt
She did good things with her success and fame. So many musicians aren't like that these days, unfortunately.
human
Yes, seems her generation had more of that than the current generation of stars. She was close to the community and her family so I think it kept her and her generation more grounded. 
gpt
Right. We could use more like Aretha today
human
 I agree with your sentiment.
gpt
Ariana Grande got caught licking doughnuts at a doughnut shop. I used to see her on Nickelodeon, she has a kid's show on there.
human
Yes, Nickelodeon and Disney kid stars often go onto fame with mixed results, unlike the gravitas of Aretha.
gpt
Yes, I think a lot of the new stars break through that way.