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ARETHA CELEBRATES HER 66th BIRTHDAY IN NY: Singer takes over Ritz Carlton’s foyer lounge with family, friends and birthday cake.
*Fox411 columnist Roger Friedman wrote a column about Aretha Franklin's birthday party that took place Tuesday night at New York's Ritz Carlton hotel.
Franklin, in a beautiful strawberry-pink Chanel-like suit, had just come from seeing a performance of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" on Broadway with a group of about 10 people. She arrived at the Broadhurst Theater in a tank-like Rolls Royce Silver Cloud and remained in her seat during the two intermissions while fans came over to say hello. Other stars in the sold-out audience included Leslie Uggams and Wesley Snipes.
After the show, Franklin alighted at the Ritz, where she was presented with a gorgeous homemade birthday cake and plenty of kudos from old friends like R&B greats Chuck Jackson ("I Keep Forgetting," "Any Day Now"), Freddie Jackson ("Rock Me Tonight" — no relation) and "Cat" star Terrence Howard. She glowed while chatting with the "Hustle and Flow" actor, who’s so good in "Cat." (He takes a three-week break beginning April 13 for "Iron Man" promotion.)
Also on the guest list was Luther Vandross’ favorite singer, Fonzie Thornton, off and on with Chic for 30 years, who’s been singing back-up for Aretha on tour. At last weekend’s sold-out show at Radio City, he was joined by the legendary Cissy Houston. Cissy, whose daughter Whitney, is a singer of some note, sang on all of Franklin’s classic hits recorded circa 1967-1968.
It was the most convivial affair, with Aretha accepting gifts and doling out slices of cake. Franklin told the small crowd, "I could move here, it’s so nice!" But she remains a Detroit girl, and don’t believe those stories you heard last week that her house is in foreclosure.
"What did they say? I owed like $400." She laughed, thinking of the tabloid press. "Some people…"
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