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Former R&B chart topper Keith Washington is defending his recent actions regarding the breach of privacy of someone he considers a close friend.
Yesterday, BlackVoices.com broke the news -- showing the actual video -- of the 'Kissing You' singer making public a private conversation with ailing Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, who has reportedly been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
While we stand corrected that Washington may or may not have aired the conversation on the radio station Kiss 105.9 FM, for which he recently started hosting the show 'Kisses After Dark,' the fact remains that the video of him -- in the studio talking on speakerphone with Franklin -- was serviced and promoted online.
As the news started to spread about Franklin's health, Washington was then interviewed by a local news outlet and commented on the music legend's condition.
Before our deadline yesterday, we reached out to Washington and radio station executives for comment to no avail.
Today, amid a firestorm of controversy on Websites, radio stations, social networking platforms and blogs, reps for Washington have responded.
Below, in its entirety, is a statement that was issued on Washington's behalf by way of executives at Interactive One, the digital-media arm of broadcast giant Radio One.
"Aretha Franklin has been a dear friend and colleague for over 20 years. We've toured together, prayed together and laughed together.
For the past six weeks, I have been hosting 'Kisses After Dark' on Kiss 105.9 in Detroit. In addition to being heard on the radio, a big part of the job is social networking and live video streaming. When I am not talking on the air I am working the phones with listeners and friends. The live video stream is on during my entire radio show.
On November 8 while on a break from the on-air broadcast, I called Aretha Franklin because it had just come to my attention she had to cancel her tour plans for the next six months due to health issues. Since Aretha's been sick, I've been heartsick.
Our conversation was captured on the live video stream, as are others, but I was not aware her end of the conversation was audible to the microphone.
At no time, was our conversation aired or broadcast on the radio -- like many blogs and even reputable news organizations have claimed.
It is regrettable that anybody would characterize this as unethical when she is a dear friend. All I can say is that I've been talking about Aretha to my fans for years and me sharing my feelings about her with my audience was nothing unusual for me. I love her and her family dearly.
I am troubled by how the video has been received -- not for myself, but for any pain it caused my friend.
I would never consciously do anything to hurt her or invade Aretha Franklin's privacy. Both Radio One and I regret any distress this has caused to Aretha Franklin, her family or the public."
Her Royal Highness
After recording a string of jazz and blues projects for Columbia Records, Memphis born songstress Aretha Franklin landed at Atlantic Records in 1966. "They made me sit down on the piano and the hits came," she later said about her legacy there.
Aretha Franklin performing during a Martin Luther King Benefit at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on June 28, 1968.
Aretha Franklin with 'Soul Train' creator Don Cornelius. Franklin was one of many entertainers who performed on the long-running show during its 1970s heyday.
Aretha Franklin rehearsing for Inaugural Eve program for newly elected US President Jimmy Carter and Vice President Walter Mondale at the Kennedy Center in 1977.
Flanked in fur, Aretha Franklin in the press room at the Grammy Awards, circa early 1980s.
Aretha Franklin performing in Chicago on April 18, 1985.
Aretha Franklin, pictured here with Atlantic Records chairman Ahmet Ertegun (circa early 1990s), at a private music industry party.
Aretha Franklin and Luciano Pavarotti are photographed at the 8th Annual Music Cares Gala in Honor of the famed opera singer. The event took place at New York City's posh Waldorf Astoria Hotel on February 23, 1998.
Aretha Franklin held royal court during the broadcast of 'VH1 Divas Live' at the Beacon Theatre in New York City on April 14, 1998. During the show's finale a stirring rendition of her classic song, 'Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel),' The Queen of Soul is joined by Gloria Estefan, Mariah Carey, Carole King, Celine Dion and Shania Twain.
On September 29, 1999, President Bill Clinton, along with First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, awarded Aretha Franklin with the 1999 National Medal of Arts and Humanities Award at Constitution Hall in Washington, DC.
Related Articles
- Family Confirms That Aretha Franklin Is Suffering From Cancer
- Keith Washington Broadcasts Private Conversation With Ailing Aretha Franklin
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Comments: (11)
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By: Li Wright on 12/10/2010 11:24PM
Well, that explains it. I thought the video feed was a conversation with Aretha IN THE HOSPITAL...it wasn't. It was conducted one month ago before the hospital stay.
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By: HELLO SHANNON on 12/11/2010 10:56AM
I never respond to blogs but after reading keiths responses, I felt comepelled to insert this thought: There's absolutely NO WAY keith did not know Arethas voice was reaching an audible level to be heard through the micriphones. If you watch the video he makes an EFFORT to make sure her responses to him is brought to the mic for all to hear. If hes such a "dear friend" and has so much experience in the capacity in which he works, he wouldve been more conscientious of his immediate surroundings during such a critical time, with such a sensitive subject!(actually he was). He was probing her for information in hopes of being amongst the first to tell her story. Kieth can you try and assign our girl more dignity and RESPECT rather then us her misfortune as a platform to boost a ancient career?
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By: Luci Mann on 12/11/2010 6:25PM
THANK YOU!!!!
He gave such a tired, weak response.
If he wasn't on a quest to be the FIRST to report on her condition and trying to look good for his bosses, we wouldnt have heard Aretha's voice, She sounded so weak. She was still in the hospital! Smh!
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By: Luci Mann on 12/11/2010 7:53PM
Sorry, about the IN the hospital prt. Aretha still didnt sound good. Also, if it was done on November 8, why is it just now being aired/shown.
Still shady.
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By: stare k on 12/11/2010 9:27PM
On the other hand he sure put his foot in his mouth. Mabe some one was paying him a BONUS $$$$.
That is what peopel thrive on now . What does Mich . law say about taping some one without their knowledge ? I don't know her personaly , I do not beleive she gave her consent, to put her privat /health on the airway . And being a man with BROADCASTING KNOWLEDGE you would think he would know what he can & cannot legaly put on the airways without consent/ knowledge . Maybe it is a true saying , men's think with their penis .No matter how he apoligize for it he cannot take it back . The damage is done .Cancer is hard to talk about even to your family .I know i've been there , I am a four yr. Breast cancer survivor Thank you JESUS. I could bearly talk to my family about it . No one want to have CANCER .It is one of the worst things a Dr. can tell their pt. Seems
like he is giving you a DEATH SENTENCE .It is a very heavy burden to carry .I willkeeep Miss Franklin in my prayers .And to you Keith you cant keep any thing , You should be ashame of your self .
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By: stare k on 12/11/2010 10:00PM
To Keith why don't you shut up , You already said
ttttooooo mmmmuuucch .
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By: Chris cesario on 12/12/2010 7:32AM
Let me say that I like Keith Washington- "Kissing you, Are you still in love with me, Candlelight and you"- all good songs! I saw him in concert years ago with Miles Jaye and he put on a good show.
However....His career has faded and he has become a "has been". He is just using this to try to get his name back in the spotlight. And all this "talk" about him probably makes him feeel like he is important again. He will fade away again as soon as this 15 mins is over.
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By: Ann on 12/12/2010 12:15PM
Please!!---- people do not start any mess with Keith. The man was hurt about his friend , and wanted prayers for her. Can't you hear it in his voice.?? Did you really look at the video real careful, he amost pass out. It was going come out any way, these people know we love them, and care about them and want to know what wrong with her.?? Aretha knows that --- but it is some cold people out here that will not say a damn word about their friends, needed prayers. Leave that man alone. you damn if you do, and you damn if you don't. Yes, say what you want, the man is hurting about Aretha. Aretha, please believe Keith loves you. People are so cruel. They needs to talk about Bishop eddie long, and these young boys. We needs to know is it true or not. Let tape him. Peace:
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By: Ene on 12/13/2010 8:16PM
I wouldn't call Keith a one hit wonder. He had a few very nice records and I was hoping to see him come back with some more. He has a really nice voice. What would he gain from betraying Aretha. Surely, he knows that today's society looks for something negative to say with a very strong magnifying glass.I'm sure that it was just an error in judgement.
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By: DBW on 12/22/2010 1:03AM
Sorry i do not believe the excuse.. if this true, then why did we hear Aretha? Unless she was on his "speaker" phone? I dont care who was in the studio or about any "live stream", unless i click on the "speaker button" on my phone, no one knows who I am talking to on my cell phone... bead judegment, bad move, and unprofessional... Just look at the poll results... Aretha has always been a very private person, and this was an invasion of privacy, and he needs to be ashamed...
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